Cascades | Passports and Poppets

Tags

Berry Picking, Cascades, Hiking, Huckleberries, Lake Tipsoo, Mt Rainier National Park, Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, National Park, Pacific Northwest, Washington

17 July 2015 – Naches Loop Trail. What a wonderful hike. The mountain flowers were blooming in the meadows. The song birds were at full pitch. The huckleberries were ripe. The views could not have been more stunning.

We started early to ensure we had a full day on the trail. From our house it takes about 2.5 hours to get deep into Mt. Rainier National Park where some of the best hiking in the world lies. We had previously visited Lake Tipsoo but had not done the loop trail – which was the goal of the day. Our previous visit in 2011 to Tipsoo focused on the flowers and the mountain views.

Isabella, Sherrie, and Lucas at Lake Tispoo in 2011

Isabella, Sergio, and Lucas at Lake Tipsoo in 2011

Lucas, Sergio, Aurelia, and Isabella at Lake Tipsoo in 2015

After a quick lunch of sandwiches, strawberries, and juice boxes we started on the trail which begins on along the Pacific Crest Trail before splitting off to the South. The trail is very well maintained and circles around Naches Peak with beautiful views of the valleys, Lake Douglas, and surrounding mountains.

Lucas and Aurelia Heading Up Naches Loop Trail

Lake Douglas and valley

After Lake Douglas the huckleberries go thick – and ripe! We couldn’t help ourselves and spent at least an hour picking and eating 🙂 Thanks to berry bags we keep in Isabella’s backpack we brought many home for ice cream toppings.