Paradise Park from Timberline July 27, 2022

[squidvicious]

Wanted to escape the heat and finally get out on this trail now that the snow is finally melting. Quick conditions report:

SNOW: mostly gone and going fast. Patches all around the loop but no issues. One or two bits were slightly more bothersome than others, but with the temps they probably looked totally different an hour after I left anyway

BUGS: unpleasant. Not the worst I've had here, but bad enough. They were on me from the start even with fresh repellent, and since I never got much of a breeze my main defense was to keep moving. I still got bit, and when I stopped for water they were taking chunks out of me.

BLOWDOWN / TRAIL DAMAGE: Basically none. The only obstruction was a slide on the Zigzag switchbacks that brought two big trees down across the trail. Their position on the slope, the heavy mud under them, and the lost edge of the trail made it a little awkward to get past, but not actually difficult. There was also a tree down lengthwise along the trail on the switchback below that one, but not really an obstruction.

RIVER CROSSING: No nice log this year, no obvious easy rock hop path, at least until the water calms down a little. Take my judgement with a grain of salt since I'm terrible with crossings at the best of times, but everyone else I saw paced the bank for a while before just picking a spot and going for it, usually with the help of a partner. I didn't see anyone splash or fall, so it's probably not so terrible. I choose to go upstream to an easier crossing on the two big boulders.

FLOWERS: A few, but not much. I don't know from flowers but I saw a comment from someone who seemed to have some idea betting around Aug 7 would be prime for flowers.

As I was nearly back to the lodge I passed a couple of rangers and overheard some people asking them something to the effect of, "Did the Timberline folks or the USFS plant the flowers in the meadow?"

[BigBear]

Thank you for the report. I know the bugs can be awful in that area. Unfortunately, biting flies like the rushing waters of the Zig Zag, unlike mosquitoes which like still waters. It's interesting you had an issue on the downhill (on me from the start), I usually get them on the uphill.

[rubiks]

As I was nearly back to the lodge I passed a couple of rangers and overheard some people asking them something to the effect of, "Did the Timberline folks or the USFS plant the flowers in the meadow?"

Did you hear the response? I'd love to hear the official USFS answer

[squidvicious]

I didn't catch the rest of it. In fairness one of them was carrying a spade, so they did look a bit as if they could have been out raking forests and planting wildflowers.

[Waffle Stomper]

As I was nearly back to the lodge I passed a couple of rangers and overheard some people asking them something to the effect of, "Did the Timberline folks or the USFS plant the flowers in the meadow?"

Did you hear the response? I'd love to hear the official USFS answer

I believe a portion of "meadow" above the lodge has been planted and maintained for the benefit of the visitors, not unlike at Paradise Lodge on Rainier. I wonder if that is what they were wondering.

[Double Tree]

Might it be a good bet, that campsites at Paradise Park are open?
Kelly