Silver Lakes, Buckhorn Wilderness, Washington

10/20/13: One more Sunday hike to one trail that we have been thinking and planning for. Since driving to the trail head often takes more than one hour, we start early. The Sierra Club has been organizing hikes to Silver Lakes, but taking a shorter route. We decide to start from the Mt. Townsend trail head, via Quilicene, on the north east side of the Olympic Mountains. Having prepared with lots of water, snacks, lunch, and dressed for very cold temperature, we pick up Alice and John at their houseand proceed to the trail head.

We arrive at the trail head, and there are lots of cars already, so we take one of the last parking spots. 

John and Alice posing in front of the Mt. Townsend Trail sign. Note Alice has earmuffs, big scarf, gloves and a jacket ready for colder temperature.

Taking a rest on the side of the trail, after we climb steadily right at the get-go.

A sign confirming that we are in the Buckhorn Wilderness

A cluster of turkey tail fungi looking like a rose. There are numerous mushrooms, but today we are not stopping for too many of them, as we know we have a long way to go, and the ascend continues.When we come to a junction where the trail splits to Mt. Townsend to the right, and Silver Lakes to the left. Most of the hikers we meet on the trail are going to Townsend, as Silver Lakes trail is described as "Trail Less Traveled".

Rexplorer and John pointing at something interesting while Alice waits and rests. We are now in subalpine fir country.

Bright red bushes, interspersed with yellow bushes cover the slopes.

Taking another break from the continued ascend. and many switchbacks. The sun is bright and the temperature gets warmer. We shed some of our outer layers, and enjoy the warmth. We stop here and have some of our snacks, greet other hikers passing by. 

Taking a side trail to take a look at Windy Lake, a small pond size lake and a camp ground.

The panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains, as we reach the high ridge overlooking the Silver Lakes Basin.

"Toe" like rocks sticking out along the trail. From here we begin to switch back up and down trails toward the lake, further down into the basin.

Alice carefully negotiates the open section of the trail, with scree covered narrow path that challenges one's balance and focus. 

Back into the forest and meadow, where there are patches of snow. Temperature drops at least ten degrees in this shaded and snowy section of the trail.

Finally, we are back in the sun, and the Lake! Immediately we unpack our lunch, snacks, and chow down. The lake is serene and quiet, with only a few other hikers on the far side. The snow-covered mountains in the background.

The lake has trouts, but probably not for fishing. At this point, the altitude is 5425 ft. But with all the uphill and downhill and more uphill, we have climbed about 3000 ft. It has taken us more than five hours to reach this lake. We enjoy the sun and the tranquility.

Rexplorer by the lake. The sun rays are still shining bright.

CC wets her hair after removing the wool cap. The water is icy cold and very pleasant.

We have to take a photo in front of the lake before taking off. At 3:30 in the afternoon, we don't have too much time to rush back down the mountain before darkness descends upon us. We definitely don't want to be caught in darkness on the trail, even though we have brought flashlights.

John and Alice in front of the lake before we leave.

On the trail, we are above the clouds.

Near darkness when we finally reach the trail head, after 3.5 hours, much faster than going up.

We are the last car in the lot. 

For sure we have known it is a long hike, surprised to find out, after the hike, that the distance we have hiked is 12.8 miles. Total hiking time is almost 9 hours. We are all quite exhausted, with tired quads, calves, and toes. But it is a beautiful trail, with few people, and majestic views.