We had six hiking days in June, all repeat hikes, so I am showing just a few highlight photos, and linking past posts for trail details.
- June 3 – Hamilton Mountain, WA, hike – I love this hike, however challenging (8 miles, 2200 feet), and always feel accomplished to have made the trek again, especially when I get to see the lovely Lewisia flowers on the upper switchbacks.
2. June 10 – Grassy Knoll, WA, hike – Another well loved hike. A bit rainy today, and on the early side for flowers blooming, but so green and lush along the trail!
3. June 17 – Saddle Mountain, OR, hike – We were here last month before the full bloom of the upper meadows, so hiked again on our way to an overnight at the Oregon Coast.
Saddle and summit
Pacific Ocean from the summit
Washington peaks from the summit
4. June 18 – Oregon north coast beaches – We stayed overnight in the Tolvana area of Cannon Beach, with a lovely view of Haystack Rock beyond the parking lots.
The next day we walked from Arcadia Beach and around Hug Point at low tide, to Big Barnacle Rock. We visited all our favorite landmarks from 30 years of visiting this stretch of beach nearly every summer, often staying for a week when our kids were young. So beautiful!
The sphinx of Arcadia Beach guards the northern beaches,
but we are heading south, along these open sands as the tide recedes.
We saw some birds and tide pool creatures:
Next we crossed over the old road carved out of Hug Point, passable at low tide.
Looking south toward Arch Cape from Big Barnacle Rock – our turnaround point.
North view, crossing back over Hug Point.
Walking into the wind, sand rivers pelting our legs.
5. June 22 – Three Corner Rock – Another repeat hike. We were the only ones on the trail today. It was just shady enough in the forest to be comfortable.
Our big surprise was the profuse bear grass bloom in the upper meadows below the rock. And almost no wind.
Views from near the summit (we didn’t scramble to the upper platform):
Looking south – Mt Hood and the cell tower, and so much bear grass!
St Helens, Rainier, Goat Rocks and Adams
Mt Adams
Mt St Helens
And a few more flowery views before heading down:
6. June 30 – Thomas Lake to Rock Lake Mosquito chase – Indian Heaven Wilderness, WA – Why we thought we could out-smart the famous mosquitos of summer in Indian Heaven I do not know, except sometimes you have to find out for your self. Which we did.
There was plenty of water (mosquito breeding grounds) in Indian Heaven.
Thomas Lake
Dee Lake
Shooting stars, Heather Lake
Vernal Lake in one of the meadows.
The highest trail section had snow patches, with marsh marigolds and avalanche lilies blooming nearby.
We made it to Rock Lakes, and sat long enough to devour our lunch as quickly as possible, while the mosquitos devoured us through our DEET sprayed clothing.
We had reached our tolerance point, so rushed back down the trail, stopping just long enough to notice Mt St Helens through the trees.
We learned our lesson! There is not enough DEET in the world to make this a comfortable time in Indian Heaven. We will return in late summer or fall when the mosquitos are gone.
Margaret Quilts 