First timer on this hike and what a beautiful loop! Our group of five arrived in time for a lovely sunrise with colorful skies around 7:15am. There was some snow and ice in the shady sections of the trail that our group felt more comfortable crossing with spikes on.
I’d read several trip reports about other hikers preferring to hike this loop counter clockwise which I would agree with. We started right behind the trailhead sign and were immediately star struck with the variety of views and landscapes this loop offered: the big vista views, the larches, and the red colored pine cones.
We meandered and enjoyed our surroundings, immersing ourselves in the magical golden larches which have mostly all turned on the trail. Their needles are so soft! The fall colors were popping throughout the hike but especially on the climb up to the high point. Discovering much better views of the Enchantments and Mt. Rainier at the high point was a treat. I think we may have spent just as much time appreciating nature as hiking because it was 10:30 before we arrived back at the trailhead. A total of seven cars including our two at the trailhead when we returned. Privy is open but no TP.
Note: we did see a little smoke in the distance lingering in one of the valleys from the smoldering Labor Mountain Fire. The air quality was good on the loop though.
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