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Hike 7/16 Sourdough Mountain Lookout
All fresh and ready to go at the trailhead off Highway 20 near Diablo Dam. Elevation 920 feet.
The views begin as Pyramid Peak pops into the hole in the trees
Saw an amazing variety of wildflowers, both down low and up high. Here is Candy stick.
As we got about 3/4 of the way up, the gentle top of Sourdough came into view.
Above 4900 feet, snow patches began. Fortunately, most of the steepest areas were melted out and the trail was fine.
Diablo Lake's striking teal hue came into view about a mile before the top.
Meadow wildflowers were gorgeous. Shown here is a clump of Phlox
Panning across the meadows at the 'Sound of Music' views
Trail traverses a field of glacier lilies as Ruby Mountain appears behind.
The signature view from high on Sourdough Mountain, with Diablo Lake far below, and scores of peaks and glaciers beyond.
The last 10 minutes or so to the top was on deep but gentle snow.
Heading for the top with Jack Mountain beyond.
Panorama of views to the north and east from Sourdough Lookout
Hozomeen Mountain near Ross Lake, always a striking sight.
Seven successful summiters
Carefully working down the snow slopes below the top
Diablo Lake and the North Cascades. The dam is at the far right end of the lake...
...and we could see the water gushing through the spillway.
Looks like a bear has been clawing at some of the trees up high
Crossing Sourdough Creek on the descent.
Pinesap, another unusual wildflower found along this trail
Pipsissewa, aka Prince's pine
Nearly down, just a few hundred feet above the Skagit River valley.
All fresh and ready to go at the trailhead off Highway 20 near Diablo Dam. Elevation 920 feet.
The views begin as Pyramid Peak pops into the hole in the trees
Saw an amazing variety of wildflowers, both down low and up high. Here is Candy stick.
As we got about 3/4 of the way up, the gentle top of Sourdough came into view.
Above 4900 feet, snow patches began. Fortunately, most of the steepest areas were melted out and the trail was fine.
Diablo Lake's striking teal hue came into view about a mile before the top.
Meadow wildflowers were gorgeous. Shown here is a clump of Phlox
Panning across the meadows at the 'Sound of Music' views
Trail traverses a field of glacier lilies as Ruby Mountain appears behind.
The signature view from high on Sourdough Mountain, with Diablo Lake far below, and scores of peaks and glaciers beyond.
The last 10 minutes or so to the top was on deep but gentle snow.
Heading for the top with Jack Mountain beyond.
Panorama of views to the north and east from Sourdough Lookout
Hozomeen Mountain near Ross Lake, always a striking sight.
Seven successful summiters
Carefully working down the snow slopes below the top
Diablo Lake and the North Cascades. The dam is at the far right end of the lake...
...and we could see the water gushing through the spillway.
Looks like a bear has been clawing at some of the trees up high
Crossing Sourdough Creek on the descent.
Pinesap, another unusual wildflower found along this trail
Pipsissewa, aka Prince's pine
Nearly down, just a few hundred feet above the Skagit River valley.