- Aug 30, 2001
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Couple weekends ago I hiked up Mt. Townsend. It's a popular trail in the Olympic Mountains, but this was the first time I'd done it. I now know why it's so popular. Moderate difficulty, not too steep, lots of forest sections and lots of meadow sections with nice flowers, alpine lakes, and a big summit with huge views in multiple directions.
This is the first section of the trail, some nice 2nd growth forest. There's actually a mile before this part of the trail that comes from a parking lot below that goes through an old growth forest, but we opted to skip that extra hiking (much to my dismay).
Coming out into some meadows.
Indian Paintbrush
These guys came along with us. Alice in the back and Steve up front
This is a small alpine lake we came across that also boasted an epic campsite. It's about 3 miles up the trail so it's a good place for a backpacking adventure. Might give it a go myself later this summer.
Looking down on that same lake with the campsites.
Close to the summit, we can see a view over the ridge line to the rest of the mountains.
Summit!
More flowers on the way down.
Fun times
This is the first section of the trail, some nice 2nd growth forest. There's actually a mile before this part of the trail that comes from a parking lot below that goes through an old growth forest, but we opted to skip that extra hiking (much to my dismay).

Coming out into some meadows.

Indian Paintbrush


These guys came along with us. Alice in the back and Steve up front



This is a small alpine lake we came across that also boasted an epic campsite. It's about 3 miles up the trail so it's a good place for a backpacking adventure. Might give it a go myself later this summer.

Looking down on that same lake with the campsites.

Close to the summit, we can see a view over the ridge line to the rest of the mountains.

Summit!


More flowers on the way down.

Fun times
