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Sunny Singles!
Gathering for Positive Social Interaction |
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Sunny Singles!
Gathering for Positive Social Interaction |
| Chinook Pass Hike - 6 August 2005 | |||
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SunnySingles.com
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Click on any photo for smaller images.  This hike started on the East side of Chinook Pass after a great breakfast at the Drift Inn in Nachees, WA. Toilets are available at the parking lot and trails head out in both directions [this way and that way]. This is easy access to hike a section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail. Parking and scenic overlooks are available on both sides of the pass. NOTE that dogs are not allowed in the Ranier National Park on the West side of the pass nor in the area by Upper Crystal Lake.  Our hike began with the East summit trail meandering Northward above hwy 410 and gradually worked it's way farther from the road. Foam plugs were sticking out of holes drilled in the rock on the up hill side of the trail in several places. These looked like some strange fungus at first site but further investigation revealed the holes which will be used to place explosives for widening the trail. This work will begin, and the trail will be closed, starting 11 August 2005. About 3 miles from the parking lot is Sheep Lake. A small yet very scenic body of water with small fish jumping and several campsites around it's perimeter. Here we paused to cool off and have a snack before the climb to the top of the ridge and into Mount Ranier National Park.  About a quarter of a mile past the crest of ridge the Pacific Crest Trail takes a switchback downward and off into the forest. Our group stayed on the high road and entered Mount Ranier National Park from the back door. Make no mistake though. This back door was not left unguarded. Ranger Dave was on duty to shoo dogs and their owners back past the No Dogs sigh which, according to Dave, is rarely heeded without his insistence. The view from the park entrance is well worth the hike!  It's not far from the park border to a lookout point above Upper Crystal Lake. It's water reflected the blue of the sky and green of the surrounding forest to give it a very rich color. The perfect foreground for the view of Ranier's snow capped peak in the background. What a wonderful place to have lunch! The trip home included lunch at the Drift Inn and we took a few minutes to meet all the dinosaurs in Granger too. 
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