TOLMIE PEAK LOOKOUT

At least once a year a I have to visit Mt Rainier if not more. The majestic mountain is so prominent looming above it's surroundings that it's a joy to get high and just relax your eyes on it's snow capped slopes.
It was my first time up to Rainier this year and i wanted to get some time lapse videos of moving clouds over Rainier.
So i headed up to Mowich lake on Mt Rainier National park's NW side. From Mowhich lake there's a short 7.5 mile round trip hike up to Tolmie Peak lookout. From the lookout you have a great vantage point to gaze upon Rainier. 
Most people stop at the lookout but the true Tolmie Peak is just a little farther and offered me solitude.

The clouds were finally clearing at dusk

I set up shop on Tolmie Peak as the clouds slowly started to dissipate. The weather called for the clouds to clear in the evening. The clouds were doing just that but slower than i wanted. So i took a short relaxing nap.
Upon waking up I took several videos hoping the mountain would reveal it's self ......but nothing. On my last video my battery died just as the tip of Rainier was being revealed. Bummer!!!!!!
On the hike out, which was earlier than i planned, i hiked by a fellow photographer who's camera was humming away. He also was capturing some time lapses.
All in all a great beautiful relaxing day!! 
The below pictures were taken mostly with my camera phone.

Fresh Huckleberries from the trail

Eunice lake with the lookout above

Looking down on Eunice lake

A Gray Jay hanging out giving me photography tips

Tolmie Fire Lookout

Mt Rainier finally revealing itself

Mt Rainier from up in the lookout

Mt Rainier from the lookout

Indian Paintbrush

Indian Paintbrush

The trail just above Lake Eunice

Tolmie fire
lookout from Tolmie Peak

January Sun on Mt Pilchuck

Looking south at Mt Rainier

It's the middle of winter in the PNW of the U.S. January 25th to be exact. The sun is out and air temps are in the high 50's. 
Its a day like this that us hikers jump at the chance to get out and explore in winter.
My old best friend , David, was in town. Just like the days of playing endlessly outside when we were both young we drew our eyes on Mt. Pilchuck.
The parking lot was packed on arriving. Not a shocker as their rarely is a day it's not. This goes for the heather lake trail as well which is on the way to Pilchuck. But i couldn't blame them..... great minds think alike!

Mt Pilchuck's fire lookout looking east

Pilchuck is on the eastern edge of the cascades. Perfectly perched for views of the north and central cascades along with the Puget Sound. Don't forget views of the Olympic Mountains, Mt Rainier, Mt Baker and Glacier Peak. It's not a coincidence that at the top of 2.7 miles awaits a fire lookout.
David and I met a fellow hiker at the summit and ended up hiking back down with her. I've met and had many great conversations with fellow hikers on the trail. It never gets old and i look forward to the next experience.
Great views, great conversation, great friends and a great Sunday with my best friend!

David admiring the cliff edge
looking west

Glacier Peak looking west

Fire lookout with the Puget Sound and Olympic mountains, looking east

Cloud cover over the Puget Sound and the south Olympic Mtns

North side of Pilchuck ,looking west

Three Finger Mountain, looking north

Mt Baker, looking north

Davis Peak movie slideshow

This weekend i fooled around with Picasa's movie maker. Here's what fooling around on a rainy Saturday made. 
The slide show is taken from my day hike to Davis Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA.
Enjoy!!!

Davis Peak, Alpine lakes wilderness

Starting the adventure

The Davis Peak trail is a great day hike with some of the best views of Mt Stuart and Mt Daniel along with many other numerous peaks. Sitting at 6,426 foot the peak has an old fire lookout along the trail just before the summit. 
With switchback after switchback the hike is mildly strenuous. After you reach remnants of an old wildfire the trees thin out with majestic mountain landscapes completing surrounding you.
If you enjoy photography its worth your time!!

Angel wings mushroom?

Indian Paintbrush along the trail

Mt Stuart from near Davis peak

Cle Elum River and lake from an old fire lookout

Mt Rainier from near Davis Peak

The old fire lookout

Mt Daniel's three peaks

Atop Davis Peak looking North

Lake Terence with Mt Daniel (r) and Mt Hinman (l)

Lake Opal with Mt Stuart

My view on the hike out

Park Butte Lookout, Mt Baker

Wanna stare straight into the glory of Washington State's 3rd tallest mountain?
Then hike up to Park Butte lookout for a long stare off!!!! 

Mt Baker from Park Butte Lookout trail

Last weekend was cold but also clear so i headed up to the North Cascades for a quick day hike. 
Park Butte Lookout trail runs 3.6 miles long with the final destination obviously being an old fire lookout. 

Red Breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber

The views are outstanding!!! Mt Baker dominates the northern skies while endless mountains nestle in along the skyline to the east and south. Glacier Peak can be scene along with the rugged Picket Range. To the south the Twin Sister Mountains should catch another long stare. 

The Twin Sisters from Park Butte Lookout

Park Butte Lookout is not used anymore as an lookout but rather a place to stay for anyone who loves endless stars and peaks to gaze at. Its first come first serve. Inside the lookout is seems as if the rangers just got up and left. Your the ranger now. If your fortunate to eyeball  clear skies, a fire is hard to miss.

Mt Baker(r) Colfax Peak(m) and Lincoln Peak(l)

The trailhead has plenty of parking which is great but not if your looking for solitude, come early. There's plenty of wilderness campsites below the lookout but bring a tent just in case the lookout is full. This trail is still 5 stars for all you outdoor hermits!!

Looking east into the Picket Range

Park Butte Lookout

Looking southeast from the lookout

Websites
Mt baker snoqualmie National forest site
PDF
National Historic Lookout registar
Skagit Alpine Club

Trail #: 603
Best use: backpacking, day hiking, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding
Miles: 7.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2,100 ft gain
Map: Green trails 13S
Land: Mt Baker National Recreation Area
Permit required: NW forest pass for parking lot
Wilderness campsites: Cathedral camp .8 miles from lookout
Regulations: No fires
Parking Lot amenities: Toilets, plenty of parking, campsites
Wildlife scene: Red caped sapsucker, chickadee
Water along trail: Yes