Sheep Lake, Chinook Pass, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Approaching Sheep Lake

 

This week our destination was Sheep Lake.  This trail takes off to the right, while the Naches Loop trail goes left from the parking area at Chinook Pass.  It is part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) where hikers who start at the Mexico-California border and aim for Canada are nearing the end of their long trek. 

 

Bob checked the weather report and said it was predicted to be cold, so we had better dress warmly.  We did.  However, the “best laid plans gang aft agley” and it was not cold at all but ended up around 75 F instead of in the 50s F.   There is not much in the way of shade on the first section of the trail, so we got pretty hot and started shedding some of our layers.  

 

Most of the flowers are finished for the year but we saw plenty of Pearly Everlasting, some lupine, orange paint brush, arnica, asters, marsh marigolds, larkspur, pentesmon, and some wispy, fluffy, seed stage unknown plants. 

 

 

 

Asters

 

Larkspur

 

Marsh Marigolds

 

Pentesmon

Pearly Everlasting

Sheep Lake is a 4-mile RT hike that gains about 600 ft as it goes up and down a bit instead of steadily up or down.  The trail is narrow in places, alternately sandy and rocky.  It eventually goes into a forest where there is more shade before ending at the lake.  From the lake it is possible to continue on the PCT over Sourdough Pass and toward Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, and eventually Canada. 

 

 Stream entering Sheep Lake

 

The far end of Sheep Lake

 

There are foot paths around the lake, little streams, and places by the shore where one can sit and enjoy the views or count pollywogs.  We had one place in mind and headed for it.  Unfortunately, there was a new addition to “our” private spot, a yellow-jacket hive!  We both got stung and did not linger in that area but scuttled away as fast as we could.  We encountered a catch & release fly fisherman by the lake and had a very nice visit with him, his wife and in-laws, in the shade, by the lake, sans bees, before heading back to the car.   

 

One very plump chipmunk, living high on handouts perhaps?  Posed for pictures.  The chipmunks were not particularly shy around people and all of them looked well fed.  Gray Jays, aka camp robber jays, were also in evidence.

 

 Plump Chipmunk

 

It was sunny with bright blue sky and the mountain (Mt. Rainier) was out, so we stopped at Tipsoo Lake, and got some nice photos.

 

 Tipsoo Lake and Mt. Rainier

 

Count for the day:

30 hikers, including 14 through hikers

5 dogs

4 miles RT, 600 ft elevation gain