From Sourdough Gap to Upper Crystal Lake

It was one of the days with clouds on the west side of the mountains and sunshine on the east side.  We hoped that if we drove to Chinook Pass, we would find sunny skies and we did.

From Chinook Pass, we headed north on the Pacific Crest Trail

Lots of loose rocks on the trail, a sign of horse damage

We arrived at pretty Sheep Lake in less than an hour

For a while, we had complete solitude

Except for the gray jays

As we headed up the trail, Mt. Adams came into view

Then Mt. Rainier came peeking over the horizon

Looking back down on Sheep Lake from the trail above.

A higher view of Mt. Adams

Then we're there, at Sourdough Gap, elevation 6400'

We kept going past the gap, heading north across this scree field

Then we turned left onto an unmarked trail and into Mt. Rainier National Park

We found this lovely knoll in the park for a lunch spot

After lunch, we continued on the park trail for a peek at Upper Crystal Lake

A closer view of Upper Crystal Lake

We then left the park and headed back across the scree field toward the gap

Back at Sourdough Gap

Sheep Lake, sparkling in the sun

Then back to Sheep Lake.

Just for fun, here is a picture from Sourdough Gap, from October 2013, quite a bit more snow that year.

Stats:
Round trip, including side trip into Mt. Rainier National Park = 8 miles
Elevation gain = 1200'