Talapus Lake

FROM A WESTSIDE CAMPSITE

Looking for a quick morning or evening lake hike?
Just say 
"Talapus Lake" and say no more.
My friends and I hiked up to Talapus Lake a few weeks ago for an evening hike. After running the Rock and Roll half marathon, like we couldn't get enough exercise, we romped up to Talapus on its quick easy 3.2 miles round trip trail!! 

FROM JUST OFF THE TRAIL

Just off I-90 Talapus has easy access. This trail is very popular and  is in great condition because of it. At around 6oo elevation gain beginners and experts alike can meander up the trail with minimal effort. 

The lake holds fish but we weren't able to fish it as half way up the trail while on a quick water break i laid down both fishing poles and accidentally left them there. There they layed halfway up as we sat disappointingly enjoying the evening's mosquito frenzy at the lake. Thanks to gracious hikers both poles were waiting for me back the trailhead.

Several campsites are available at the lake. The lake is very brushy along the shoreline except for the far end of the lake which is only accessed off trail.

Trail: #1039 Talapus lake trail

Miles roundtrip: 3.4 mi

Permit: NW forest pass, if staying overnight in a wilderness permit it required for the alpine lakes wilderness area

Elevation gained: 4,500 feet 

Campsites: I saw 5 total sites

Parking lot: a large number of parking spaces, with a toilet

Map: Green trails map 207S

Wildlife seen: None

Nearby trails: Olallie lake trail- which is another 1.4 miles from Talapus lake. Pratt lake trail #1007, Mt Defiance trail 1009

Directions: From I-5 take exit 45. Follow forest rd 9030. Stay on 9030 by taking a right after .8 miles. The trail will be on 9030 2.4 miles from the right turn.

FAUNA OF MOUNT ADAMS

On our way climbing up Mt Adams, the wilderness beautifully produced blooming wildflowers everywhere. I had to reach in my pocket for the phone camera.

Several years ago a fire ripped through the lower part of the south climb trail. With the history of the wildfire and along with Mt Adams being in the eastern part of the Cascades the area wasn't abundant with plant life. Therefore i was able to take pictures of every kind of wildflowers i found alongside the trail.

Here they are in no random order. I used my trusty book "Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast" as my plant I.D. helper. Mt Adams is a little bit too far east for this book hence the question mark for three plants i couldn't I.D.

If you know or maybe know the name please respond to my blog, thanks!!

ARCTIC LUPINE

SULFUR BUCKWHEAT

Not actual Buckwheat but is similar  as the flowers look the much alike.

ALPINE MARIPOSA LILY

The Spanish settlers named this flower after the butterfly, mariposa is Spanish for butterfly. Also called Sego Lily meaning edible bulb in native Shoshonean

ALPINE BUCKWHEAT

SUBALPINE DAISY

COMMON RED PAINTBRUSH

COASTAL PENSTEMON

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HAIRY ROCKCRESS

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SPREADING PHLOX

Phlox is Greek for Flame