You're talking about an area that probably gets "over-used"
during the summer months, similar to Mowich Lake and Sunrise Lake. Wherever there's people, you'll find a horrific amount of deer flies and mosquitoes that come along with them.
I always liked the NW-corner of MRNP. Actually, if you go in
early season, and make it up to Knapsack Pass above Mowich Lake,
you can cross over to Spray Park or Seattle Park, and run into
very few people.
Hey, that makes me want to pack my bags and leave right now !!!
Thanks again for your vote. One of the reasons the lakes were so nasty when I was there was because a huge avalanche had taken out a swath of trees and carried them with it into the lake, so I don't know if the lake is always that dirty. 2002 was a high-snow year, and here in August, there was still quite a bit of the white stuff at low elevation in August. Mowich Lake/Knapsack Pass area is great. This area around Owyhigh is great for other summits like Cowlitz Chimneys, Tamanos Mtn., and Barrier Peak. It's an easy trail.
lcarreau - Mar 28, 2009 10:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Great information ...You're talking about an area that probably gets "over-used"
during the summer months, similar to Mowich Lake and Sunrise Lake. Wherever there's people, you'll find a horrific amount of deer flies and mosquitoes that come along with them.
I always liked the NW-corner of MRNP. Actually, if you go in
early season, and make it up to Knapsack Pass above Mowich Lake,
you can cross over to Spray Park or Seattle Park, and run into
very few people.
Hey, that makes me want to pack my bags and leave right now !!!
Snidely Whiplash - Mar 29, 2009 10:34 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great information ...Thanks again for your vote. One of the reasons the lakes were so nasty when I was there was because a huge avalanche had taken out a swath of trees and carried them with it into the lake, so I don't know if the lake is always that dirty. 2002 was a high-snow year, and here in August, there was still quite a bit of the white stuff at low elevation in August. Mowich Lake/Knapsack Pass area is great. This area around Owyhigh is great for other summits like Cowlitz Chimneys, Tamanos Mtn., and Barrier Peak. It's an easy trail.
lcarreau - Mar 29, 2009 11:46 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Great information ...THANKS, I ALWAYS wondered how climbers were gaining access to
the Cowlitz Chimneys.
I spent 8 years living in Pierce County, and I still haven't
discovered all the cool places at MRNP & proximity thereof.
Another GREAT hike is going into 'Grand Park' from the east.
What a fascinating array of fauna & flora one runs into !!! !!!
(And once again, very FEW people if you go late in the season.)