Day Hike to Tatoosh Lakes and beyond

tennistime99

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2018
Messages
134
Taking a day hike to Tatoosh Lakes and an attempted continuation to Tatoosh Peak.

Starting at the trailhead there were maybe a dozen vehicles parked, but over the length of the trail it was pretty spread out. I was passed by a young gentleman with legs up to my chest, who probably weighed a buck fifty at most. Needless to say after passing me going up the slope I never saw him again.

30267952218_044a51ba99_z.jpg


Into the wild... Tatoosh Wilderness that is:

44087116992_efd931beeb_z.jpg


And so starts the climb. This trail is pretty relentless, it levels for a short while after about a mile but then starts climbing again.

30267950428_3242b6dd8d_z.jpg


44087115992_63ac444b4f_z.jpg


First opening after exiting the dense forest:

30267948718_3150dbd972_z.jpg


From the opening you can see a far off slope that the Tatoosh Peak trail crosses. I could just make out 4 hikers, whom I ran across on their way down later, crossing the slope.
29197897797_2af1f33fb1_z.jpg


Crossing one of the slopes on the trail. Still some leftover flowers and lots of wild blueberries (came into play later)
30267946988_510eda42e3_z.jpg

29197896207_f8404ddde8_z.jpg


Western Anemone (Dr. Seuss anyone?)
30267944438_9976daff11_z.jpg

29197894807_9b55c1fa81_z.jpg


Trail junction to lakes
30267943868_2ae13bd410_z.jpg


Looking up trail from sign at the saddle you have to climb up and over to get to the lakes.
43228839975_52739d78c7_z.jpg


View from saddle. The second photo shows someone's prime camp spot before entering the area you cannot camp in:
30267941688_62245883bd_z.jpg

29197883247_2bbb0afc0c_z.jpg


No camping beyond sign
30267939288_6c1203fe6d_z.jpg


Leftover snow above upper Tatoosh Lake from a distance.
30267938618_0ba02170a6_z.jpg


The first, and smallest of the two lakes. Plenty of fish jumping and the sound of Pica across the lake on the boulders to make stopping for a break worthwhile. Also probably the more likely of the 2 lakes to be alone if it's busy.
43228836945_9690cdd92a_z.jpg

30267935908_c08b43d192_z.jpg


The larger of the two lakes with leftover snow. The lake is surrounded by steep walls on three sides. Unfortunately the sun was facing me so pictures weren't the best.
30267934768_caf1af51dc_z.jpg


Lunch break on the shore of the big lake. A little time to dry out the socks and soak the feet in ice cold water. The log was perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view.
29197884997_8537fd257d_z.jpg


Luckily I had bear spray on hand in case this guy decided to come after me instead of my pack:
30267933018_d68af061b8_z.jpg


Lot's of wildfire smoke in the air. Not sure if this is still leftover smoke from the Canadian fires or if it's from the Eastern Washington fires.
30267931218_03b8e89be7_z.jpg


Crossing slope towards tatoosh ridge
29197881487_af153cf9c7_z.jpg

30267929258_fbc4f348d8_z.jpg


Looking across at the trail you eventually get to hike. There are a few washouts that require scrambling up and down some loose stone and dirt, but it's easily doable.
30267927678_dcf315f289_z.jpg


Lefover snow near the trail that looks pretty enticing when it's hot out.
29197877197_42c5a9963b_z.jpg


Looking up the slope of Tatoosh ridge
30267925568_50d2a345d5_z.jpg


The view from the top of Tatoosh Ridge.

29197875557_d9da2ccd6a_z.jpg

30267923858_6f5aa0c826_z.jpg

44135663841_6027bf780f_z.jpg


At this point I found out that I had run out of water, I managed to suck 2ltrs down on the way up. I made the decision to turn around here rather than climb the additional 500 vertical feet with full sun and no water. I was bummed but glad I did as I started to get thirsty on the way down. I ended up gorging on wild blueberries just to get my tongue unstuck from the roof of my mouth. I'm pretty sure I'd have made the summit if I hadn't hiked down to the lakes, but the walk out of the lakes was pretty steep and took a toll on my legs. I met a young lady after I left the lakes whom I hiked to the ridge with, she continued on to the summit after I turned around. She caught up to me later during the long trek down and had also run out of water. We spent our time thinking about the liquids awaiting us at our respective vehicles and wishing the trail would end.
 
Totally reminds me of Dr. Seuss too!! Love it!
Never seen those colors on a buttery before. Very pretty.
Thanks for sharing!
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
M Lost a drone in the San Rafael River area/below the wedge. No time to hike in to retrieve. General Discussion 0
TrailScot Day hike in the Upper East Side of Zion - October 2023 Hiking & Camping 5
TrailScot Upper Paria Loop Hike - September 2023 Backpacking 4
OldBill Short hike at the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania Hiking & Camping 1
kwc Fall hike to Chase Lake, Southern Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 1
O YNP Union Falls easy hike Aug 4-8 2023? Meet Up (Members Only) 9
kwc Another Adirondack Hike Hiking & Camping 3
kwc Hadley Mountain hike Hiking & Camping 1
T America's Wildest Through-hike General Discussion 0
kwc Short Snowshoe Hike today, Southern Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 2
kwc Another Southern Adirondacks hike - Clockmill Pond and Rock Lake Hiking & Camping 0
Ellen What are your favorite spots to hike and camp in December? Trip Planning 10
F The El Camino Real, A failed hike. Backpacking 16
P Scatman's Grizzly Lake hike, 2022 Backpacking 28
Jackson Quick day hike in the Montana Absarokas Hiking & Camping 13
kwc Adirondack Hike to Middle Lake Hiking & Camping 0
TrailScot "I'll take the High Road ..." - A Loop Hike around the Canyons of Needles - May 2022 Trip Reports 14
norwegianxplorer Hiking Sierra de las Nieves, Spain. Sunrise hike from Yunquera, Andalusia, Wild boar and Spanish Ibex Hiking & Camping 0
Rockskipper Afraid to hike alone? Go with this guy - or maybe not. General Discussion 2
Titans Birthday hike Nov 2021 Hiking & Camping 13
P A short hike on the AT in Shenandoah National Park Hiking & Camping 0
kwc Hadley Mountain Fire Tower hike, Southern Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 1
seekinglost 1000 Mile Nevada Thru Hike on the Basin and Range Trail Trip Reports 14
kwc Short hike to a fire tower Hiking & Camping 3
MikeP Canmore Thru-Hike Trip Planning 1
JuddOutdoors Hike To Grass Lake //Desolation Wilderness //Lake Tahoe Basin Hiking & Camping 0
kwc Blue Mountain hike, Central Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 0
kwc Goodnow Mountain fire tower hike Hiking & Camping 2
norwegianxplorer Mt Whitney Virtual Hike via Horseshoe Meadows & Mt Langley, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park Backpacking 1
kwc Winter Hike into Broomstick Lake 1/13/21 Hiking & Camping 2
Outdoor_Fool October Denali Hike Hiking & Camping 21
Tomaswmitchell Cuberant Lake hike, Bigfoot tracks? Video Hiking & Camping 2
kwc Stony Pond hike, Central Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 1
Arizona Jones Willow Valley Loop Hike, Arizona Canyoneering 8
kwc Hurricane Mtn hike in the Adirondacks Hiking & Camping 2
regehr quick Medicine Bow / Laramie-area hike? Trip Planning 0
ramblinman Boulder Creek Day Hike, Escalante National Monument Hiking & Camping 5
J Family hike in the Maze in June? (Canyonlands / Moab) Am I crazy? Trip Planning 5
U Just picked up a permit for Shelf Lake 2 nights in Mid/Late July. Any ideas for a day hike/summit from there? Trip Planning 0
kwc Adirondack Spring Hike #? Hiking & Camping 1
kwc Another Hike in the Adirondacks 5/13/20 Hiking & Camping 3
kwc Yet Another Adirondack Hike 5/5/20 Hiking & Camping 1
kwc Another Adirondack Hike 4/23/20 Hiking & Camping 2
Perry Afternoon Hike in Redrock Canyon Trip Reports 2
Perry Day Hike Exploring the Wasatch Ridge Line Hiking & Camping 5
Yvonne Snow Hike up the West Rim, December 15, 2019 Hiking & Camping 7
Benjamin Hayden Looking for good hike away from people in Sedona in mid-February Trip Planning 3
Yvonne Sepulcher Mountain Hike, Yellowstone NP, September 2018 Hiking & Camping 2
Yvonne Yellowstone 2020 backcountry hike questions Trip Planning 21
Yvonne Day Hike to Cache Lake, Yellowstone NP, August 2019 Hiking & Camping 6

Similar threads

Back
Top