Bean Creek Basin, Beverly Turnpike & Bean Peak — Monday, Jul. 8, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

This incredible loop hike is now putting on an awesome flower show. In fact I'd probably say that this is the best flower display that I've ever seen. I decided to go up the Bean creek trail and return on the Beverly Turnpike so that the return would lose elevation more gradually. The trail to Bean Basin is in good condition. The entire Bean Basin is carpeted with Jeffery Shootingstar. The trail proper dissappears about 1/2 way up the meadow. I choose to go clamber up to a shallow saddle just east of Bean Peak. Bean peak is a red jumble of boulders straight up the end of the valley. It's the rightward most of the 2 red colored peaks. The view of the Enchantment peaks is enchanting. The easiest way up Bean peak is to skirt your way around the South side of the peak and then ascend the south west corner. It ends up being easier than it looks. Hands needed in only a few places. The dog could make it to within 40 feet of the peak and then had to wait for a bit while I took in the great views. Next I followed the trailless ridge due north to Tooth Saddle. Tooth Saddle is just south of the prominent black volcanic rock peak near the north end of the ridge. Trail 1218 traverses wet meadows adorned with tons of Glacier Lilys. Unfortunately the trail has been torn up in places by horses. It only takes a few horses to trash a trail in such a sensitive area. A left on Forth Creek trail quickly intersects Beverly Turnpike and completes the loop. There are cools flowers, plants and scenery from beginning to end on this hike. There were a few black flies in the wet meadows but no mosquitos. The entire route is snow free. Good water available now most of the way except of course on the ridge. The flowers are mostly right at there peak. Many of the Lupine will be peaking in the next few days. This weekend flowers should still be spectacular. RT ~8 mi, 3100 ft.