Central Cascades, I90, H2, Washington

Washington Page 5, Central Cascades: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, More Interstate 90, More US Highway 2

Right: Upper Falls in Twin Falls Natural Area, Ollalie State Park, makes a short and rewarding hike near Interstate 90 Exit #34. (Pictures of Lower Twin Falls also available upon request.)

Index to Washington: Page 0: Highlights ~ map ~ 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7

Page 1: Seattle Area: Seattle ( fireworks , Space Needle & EMP , University of Washington ) ; Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island

Page 2: North Cascade Mountains : Mount Baker , Mount Shuksan , Sauk Mountain , Anacortes , Grasshopper Pass , Maple Pass , Rainy Pass SR20 , Hidden Lake Lookout , Sahale Arm , 2a: Skagit Valley Tulips
Page 3: Whidbey & San Juan Islands: Deception Pass , Ebey's Landing , Fort Casey , Meerkerk Gardens
Page 4: Mountain Loop Highway: Glacier Peak , Mt Pilchuck , Green Mountain , Gothic Basin , Lake 22 , Walt Bailey Trail , plants, flowers, insects , southern Mt Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest
Page 5: Central Cascades (this page), Highway 2 & Interstate 90: Alpine Lakes Wilderness (mountains, larch, mushrooms) , Surprise Lake , Granite Mt , Lake Serene , Carne Mountain , guidebooks
Page 6: Southwest WA: Mt. Rainier , Goat Rocks , Mt. Adams , Mt. St. Helens
Page 7: Olympic Peninsula: Lavender Farms , Olympic National Park , Port Townsend , ferries , Mount Townsend rhododendrons

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This page includes hikes and views accessible from the highway corridors of Interstate 90 and US Highway 2, in the central Cascades of Washington.

Washington State Climate & Geology

Washington's latitude lies in a transitional belt between sub-Arctic northern forests and warmer drier regions. Moist temperate air masses sweep onto the west coast and hit the spectacular Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, dumping heavy rain on the windward (southwest) slopes, creating dense temperate rainforest. The mountains wring the air dry, creating extensive rain shadows to their east and northeast, such as in the desert lands of Eastern Washington, irrigated by the mighty Columbia River. Washington's soil varies from shallow forest layers to windblown sand and agriculturally rich loess with basaltic outcroppings. Rocks vary widely, with tectonic uplifts of andesite, argillite, or granite in some ranges. These and many other factors have created a tremendous variety of scenery, native plants and wildflowers in Washington, which you can experience by getting out of your car near Interstate Highway 90 or US Highway 2.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area:

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is accessible between Interstate 90 and US Highway 2 in Washington State via access roads leading to foot trails.
Index: Enchantments, Snoqualmie Pass area, Ingalls Pass, Rachel Lake, Tuck and Robin Lakes, Polallie Ridge, Granite Mountain, Mushrooms

The Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Above (horizontal image): Little Annapurna, golden larch trees, Enchantment Lakes, Alpines Lakes Wilderness Area, accessible by trail from Leavenworth, Washington

Below: Yellow larch forest in the fall, beneath Little Annapurna, Enchantment Lakes, Alpines Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington.

Left (vertical image): Little Annapurna, golden larch trees, Enchantment Lakes, Alpines Lakes Wilderness Area, accessible by trail from Leavenworth, Washington

Below right: Icicles at Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass, Interstate 90.

Prussik Peak. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington.

Above: Prusik Peak and larch trees in fall, in the Stuart Range, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington.

Snoqualmie Pass, access to Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Left: A Bunchberry Dogwood flower (cornus canadensis) grows in Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Four large white sepals frame the tight head of small yellowish flowers which are followed by tight clusters of bright red, berry-like fruits.

Above right: Snow & ice saucers formed on rocks in Commonwealth Creek, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington. Commonwealth Basin makes one of the best snowshoeing trips in the Snoqualmie Pass area along Interstate 90. The route follows the Pacific Crest Trail or a steeper route paralleling Commonwealth Creek.

Left: Early November snow covers Ingalls Pass and impressive Mount Stuart (9415 feet, second highest non-volcanic peak in Washington). We hiked ("post-holed") through one to two feet of snow, which motivated us to buy snowshoes for next time!

Above: Snowy branches reach towards evergreen trees near Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass.

Below: A mountain goat struts his stuff in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington.
Mountain Goat. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington.

Ingalls Pass, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Below: 360 degree view from Ingalls Pass, with Mount Stuart on the right (9415 feet, second highest non-volcanic peak in Washington). Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. (Panorama shot by Tom Dempsey November 5, 2006, stitched from 14 images.)

Rachel Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Getting there: Take I-90 to exit 62, then to Kachess Lake Campground. Continue on Box Canyon Road to the popular Rachel Lake trailhead parking lot.

Above: Hibox Mountain (6547 feet / 1996 meters), Rachel Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 7 images.)

Left: Box Canyon Creek, on the hike to Rachel Lake in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Below: Tiger Lily (also known as Columbia Lily, Lilium columbianum) flower, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Above: Hikers enjoy the shoreline of Rachel Lake, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 6 images.)

Above: Hiking further up the trail gives a good overview of Rachel Lake, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 2 images.)

Above: Rachel Lake and Box Canyon, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 3 images.)

Left: Rampart Lakes are a nice retreat in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.

Hibox Mountain (6547 feet / 1996 meters) reflects in one of the Rampart Lakes, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.

Left: Hikers walk along one of the Rampart Lakes with a view of Hibox Mountain (6547 feet / 1996 meters), in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 2 images.)

Below: A trail winds alongside one of the blue-green Rampart Lakes, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.

Above: Hibox Mountain (6547 feet / 1996 meters), Rampart Lakes, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. (Panorama stitched from 3 images.)

Left: The Western Coral-Root is saprophytic or parasitic on roots with large, coral-like rhizomes underground. Latin name: Corallorhiza mertensiana (Orchidaceae, Orchid Family). I found this 12-inch high, pink (and red magenta) colored orchid on the hike to Rachel Lake in Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. You can find the Coralroot in moist coniferous woods in Eastern and Western Washington, blooming in mid to late summer.

Below: An enlargement of the previous Coralroot image reveals the wonderful shape of the tiny orchid flowers:

Left: This plant is a species of Pinesap (monotropa hypopithys L.), which has a cluster of 3-10 nodding pale yellow, tan, or sometime reddish flowers on a single stem. This plant is saprophytic and doesn't use chlorophyll. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Below: Pine-drops, about two feet high (Scientific name: Pterospora, in the Heath Family), a saprophytic plant that doesn't use chlorophyll. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Left and below right: The Columbia Monkshood flower, Latin name Aconitum (Buttercup Family), with a fern in the background. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Below: A camouflaged Crab Spider (Family Thomisidae) kills a bee in this thistle flower. Crab Spiders can change their coloration to match the flower within 24 hours. They are widespread in Washington and other states.

Tuck and Robin Lakes, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Left: Mountain Goat at Robin Lake. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington.

Below: Mountain Goat and Mount Daniel. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington.

Polallie Ridge, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Above: Chikamin Peak (left) and Lemah Mountain (right) seen from Polallie Ridge, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in the Cascade Range between Interstate 90 and Washington State Highway 2. (I also have a wider panorama including more peaks to the right/north: Overcoat Peak, Summit Chief, Mount Hinman, Mount Daniel)

Granite Mountain, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Located in Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Granite Mountain is a hike of 8 miles with 3800 feet elevation gain, accessed from Exit 47 of Interstate 90 near Seattle, Washington.

Above: From Granite Mountain Lookout (5629 feet elevation), view Mount Rainier 42 miles to the south.

Bear grass thrives on the sunny southward facing slopes of Granite Mountain.
Bear Grass, whose Latin name is Xerophyllum tenax (synonym Helonias tenax), is also known by common names including squaw grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass. It is a grasslike perennial in the family Melanthiaceae, closely related to lilies. It can grow to 15-150 cm in height. The leaves are 30-100 cm long and 2-6 mm wide, dull olive green with toothed edges. The slightly fragrant white flowers emerge from a tall stalk that bolts from the base. The plant is found mostly in western North America from British Columbia south to California and east to Wyoming, in subalpine meadows and coastal mountains, and also on low ground in the California coastal fog belt. It is common on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Cascades, northern Sierra Nevada and Rockies.
Below: Bear grass flowers bloom profusely on the sunny alpine slopes of Granite Mountain on July 17, 2008.

Below: A hiker descends through a field of bear grass towards Interstate 90 on Granite Mountain, Washington.

Above: Mt. Rainier rises 42 miles in the distance as seen from Granite Mountain Lookout.

Above: Three Tiger Lily (also known as Columbia Lily, Lilium columbianum) flowers on Granite Mountain. This is my favorite Tiger Lily shot.

Left: Water tumbles down the steep slope of Granite Mountain.

Below: Bear grass flowers cover the alpine slopes of Granite Mountain in July 2008.

Mushrooms in Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Left: Closeup section of a Coral Hydnum mushroom (Hericium coralloides) [taken from the image below right]. Wenatchee National Forest.

Below: This Coral Hydnum mushroom (Hericium coralloides) is about 4 inches tall and edible. Wenatchee National Forest.

Below right: Two Admirable Boletus Mushrooms (Boletus mirabilis), each about five inches across, in Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.

Left: Tiny brown mushrooms appear to form a condominium over green moss, Wenatchee National Forest.

Below: Upper view of Gomphus Floccosus mushrooms (common name Woolly Chanterelle; a relative of the true Chanterelle, belonging to the Cantharellaceae family), Wenatchee National Forest.

Left: I put my camera on the ground to capture the underside of Gomphus Floccosus mushrooms (common name Woolly Chanterelle; a relative of the true Chanterelle, belonging to the Cantharellaceae family), in Wenatchee National Forest.

Below: Oyster mushrooms grow in Wenatchee National Forest.

Below: Orange mushrooms (maybe a false chanterelle / Clitocybe aurantiaca?) glow with nice back lighting, in Wenatchee National Forest.

More Hikes Along Interstate 90

Left: Mason Creek tumbles across the Ira Spring Memorial Trail (near the Mason Lake trailhead), in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, off of I90 Exit 45.

Below: Upper Falls in Twin Falls Natural Area in Ollalie State Park makes a short and rewarding hike near Interstate 90 Exit #34. (Pictures of Lower Twin Falls also available upon request.)

Left: Beargrass flower stalks grow on the Ira Spring Memorial Trail (Mason Lake trailhead), Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (June 14, 2007), off of I90 Exit 45. Bear grass, whose Latin name is Xerophyllum tenax (synonym Helonias tenax) is also known by common names including squaw grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass.

Below: Bear Grass flowers on the hike to Mason Lake (7 miles round trip, 2500 feet gain), with Mount Rainier in the background. Bear grass, whose Latin name is Xerophyllum tenax (synonym Helonias tenax) is also known by common names including squaw grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass.

Below: Snowshoeing to Kendall Peak Lakes (9 miles, 1700 feet elevation gain).

Left: Five-Finger Fern (or Western Maidenhair; Latin name Adiatnum pedatum aleuticum), in Twin Falls Natural Area, Ollalie State Park, in the Cascade foothills of western Washington.

Below: Snowshoeing route from Kendall Peak Lakes, Washington.

Above: Snoqualmie Pass ski area and Interstate 90 in the winter, seen on the snowshoe trip to Kendall Peak Lakes.

Above: Kendall Peak (5675 feet elevation) in winter.

More Hikes Along US Highway 2

US H2: Surprise Lake

Above: Surprise Lake in Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, near Scenic, on US Highway 2, Washington.

Above: An orange butterfly sucks nectar from white flowers.

Left: A glacier Lily on Johnson Ridge in late June, on the hike to Scorpion Mountain (9 miles, 2900 feet round trip), a hike in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Skykomish, Washington.

Below: A bicyclist stops to pet a horse, with nice views of the Cascade Mountains near Sultan, on US Highway 2, in Washington.

US H2: Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Trail

Above: Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2, near Index, Washington.

Left: Bridal Veil Falls tumbles from the outlet of Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington. Seen from the footbridge.

Below right: A smaller falls near Bridal Veil Falls terminates in a log-spiked pool on the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Left: Carol pauses to admire Mount Index on the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Below right: Bridal Veil Falls tumbles from the outlet of Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Above: The trail to Lake Serene passes through lush temperate rain forest, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Above: Large old growth trees line parts of the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Above: This fern grows in a notch of a tree on the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Above: Sun backlights the leaves of a Big Leaf Maple tree on the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

Above: Many ferns grow on the trail to Lake Serene, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, accessible from US Highway 2 near Index, Washington.

US H2: Carne Mountain Trail

By hiking Carne Mountain in mid-October you can see the beautiful golden larch fall colors at their peak. The Carne Mountain trail steadily ascends 3600 feet in 7 miles round trip. On October 28, 2006, we were about a week or two past the best larch needle colors. Carne Mountain is located north of Lake Wenatchee (a side trip from US Highway 2) in Wenatchee National Forest, where the Chiwawa River meets Phelps Creek. You can also hike up Phelps Creek to beautiful Spider Meadow, which I haven't visited yet.

Left: A hiker passes golden larch trees on Carne Mountain, in Wenatchee National Forest.

Below: Fortress Mountain, Chiwawa Mountain and Spider Gap are seen behind Phelps Ridge in Glacier Peak Wilderness Area.

Above: This view from the flanks of Carne Mountain into Glacier Peak Wilderness Area includes: Buck Mountain (left), Liberty Cap, Fortress Mountain (middle right), Chiwawa Mountain and Spider Gap. (Panorama by Tom Dempsey stitched from 6 images.)

Above: This view from the top of Carne Mountain into Glacier Peak Wilderness Area includes: Buck Mountain (left), Glacier Peak, Liberty Cap, Fortress Mountain (middle left), Chiwawa Mountain (middle), Spider Gap, Sevenfingered Jack (sharp peak on right) and Mount Maude (with white glacier on right). Phelps Ridge runs from the lower left to the middle of this image, with Phelps Creek Valley in front of it, and the Chiwawa River Valley behind. (Panorama by Tom Dempsey stitched from 8 images.)

Above: Glacier Peak (10,541 feet) rises behind (west of) Buck Mountain (8573 feet).

Above: These larch trees have dropped their needles in late October, revealing a view of Buck Mountain (8573 feet).

Above: Hiking on Carne Mountain among golden larch trees, within view of Buck Mountain, in Wenatchee National Forest.

Above: Orange-yellow larch needles on Carne Mountain frame this view of Buck Mountain, in Wenatchee National Forest.

Recommended hiking guidebooks: The "100 Hikes" series or the latest hiking books published by The Mountaineers, Seattle.

Washington Map:

Washington Page 5, Central Cascades: Alpine Lakes Wilderness , More Interstate 90, More US Highway 2

Guidebooks: I recommend any of following books from Amazon.com for hikers and bicyclists:

Index to Washington: Page 0: Highlights ~ map ~ 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7

Page 1: Seattle Area: Seattle ( fireworks , Space Needle & EMP , University of Washington ) ; Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island

Copyright 1982-2008 by Tom Dempsey. Photographs may not be copied without permission.
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