Naches Peak Loop — Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon

We arrived at the trailhead at Tipsoo Lake around 7am. The sun was just peaking over the ridge. It was a brisk 41 outside. We decided to hike the trail clockwise. Right out of the parking lot the wildflowers started. The hillside was covered with them. The entire hike through several gorgeous meadows was carpeted with flowers. The trail is in fabulous shape too. Besides the flowers, we also hiked around several tarns. There was no wind so there were some good opportunities for reflection shots. The trail was littered with hoof prints. We were thinking elk or mountain goats. Someone else on the trail said he had seen elk in the area. The day was crystal clear too see we had some fantastic views of Rainier. About 3/4 of a mile from the end of the loop, we came across a ripe blueberry patch. It was funny too because my husband exclaimed "there are ripe berries here!" Then I exclaimed "Yeah and there is a bear over there!" Sure enough there was juvenile black bear about 100 yards down the hillside eating his way through the berry patch. He stood on his hind legs to check us out and then moved on down the hillside. That was definitely the highlight of the hike.