- Snow
On this day I got a late start but it was the 4th of July so I didn't think it would be a problem, which it wasn't. There were only two other cars at the TH when I arrived.
Counted no more than twenty trees down over the trail, none of which was hard to negotiate. Avalanche Lilies are in full bloom and some even starting to die. Lupine was making an appearance as was the Bear Grass. The juxtaposition of the burned out trees with the vibrant life of the flowers always amazes me.
As you approach the top of the Ridge, there are still a few large snow mounds that weren't hard to navigate and some had clear boot paths. Just use caution and after you pass the Eden Park spur stay to the left on the Ridge to pick the trail back up beyond the snow pockets.
Once on Timberline, the views just got better and better. Just off the Ridge trail you come to a clearing with two streams running downhill, my favorite spot to top off my water bottles. And after that, look to your left for something glorious......Adams, Rainier, and St. Helens in all their magnificence. I did not trek up to Dollar Lake this trip, but the trail up was still covered in snow, but not bad. It's amazing how after your first time "finding" the trail up to Dollar Lake you can never, ever miss it again. So cool.
Along the Timberline trail there still are plenty of snow patches, all easily crossed with clear paths, just use caution as they are melting out and are slick! Flowers are in full bloom: Lupine, Paintbrush, Beargrass, Maraposa Lily and many more I don't know.
Elk Meadows is in great shape, still some downed trees after the Meadow itself, but nothing too bad. Camp sites all looked inviting and empty.
