This may be the most beautiful hike I've ever made. The trail was quite varied--woods, along sides of ridges, across snow fiends, around tarns (small ponds carved by glaciers), almost always in the company of wild flowers--yellow asters (of course), Indian Paint Brushes, lupins everywhere in profusion, daisies, and a hundred other varities.

 

Most of the hike was relatively moderate. The last 500 feet of elevation was steep. But what a payoff. The bute is about 20 yds by 30 yds in size. Mountains to be seen in every direction. And this day is the warmest in recorded history for the Pacific Northwest. The temperature along the way and at the top was reasonable. But the last 30 minutes of descent was in the 90's. That's hot for the Cascades. The heat justified ice cream shakes on the way home. Very good.

 

Photo by Ken Harrison