There are 3 National Parks in the Washington State: Olympic, Cascades, and Mt. Rainier. Comparable to the Olympic National Park which is surrounded by National Forest (Buckhorn Wilderness, Olympic National Forest, Mt. Skokomish Wilderness, The Brothers Wilderness, Wonder Mt Wilderness, and Colonel Bob Wilderness), the Cascases National Park is surrounded by National Forest (Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan National Forest, and Wenachee National Forest). The subject hiking is located in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenachee National Forest. By the way, only 27 States have the National Parks. Luckily, we have 3 them.
Simply amazing day hiking for exercise and rewarding views to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, below the Cascade National Park. For sure, I did get good exercise. For its sceneries, I thought that Royal Basin (16 miler with 2000 ft elevation gain, located at the NE interior edge of the Olympic National Park) was my best since I started hiking 8 weeks ago, yet, this hiking was comparable with different flavors. The granite rimmed lakes could be considered as a little version of the Enchantments. Four hikers from PWC (Peninsular Wilderness Club) and the Kitsap Outdoors carpooled from Jay's house. Upon arriving at the Deception Pass Trailhead, quickly started hiking at 0950. Left the Robin Lake around at 1505 and arrived back at the trailhead 1915.
Thanks to Jay Thompson for organizing and leading this day hiking. As a volunteer and leader, he is a hiker and mountaineer for both Peninsular Wilderness Club (PWC) and the Kitsap Outdoors. Also thanks to all the hikers (Barbara, Andy, Jay, and Isaac) for hiking together, for creating positive energy, and for joyous chat.
Hiking summary:
15.6 mile round trip with 3700 ft elevation gain. Mostly sunny with little breeze at 45-60F. It was chilly at the Tuck and Robin Lakes due to wind chill factor. Luckily, there were almost no bugs. Had no mosquito bites! In overall, it was excellent hiking condition. Going up toward the Tuck Lake, Cathedral Rock and Mt Daniel were always visible on the opposite side of the Granite Mountains although the top of the Mt Daniel was hidden under the cloud. The first 3 mile was almost flat that we hiked at a reasonable pace of 2- 2.5 miles/hr. It was pleasant to hike along the huge Hyas Lake about 1 miles. It reminded me of the elongated Lake Cushman (where one can enjoy both water activities and hiking) along the dirt forest road close to the Staircase areas (Mt. Skokomish Wilderness) in Southeast of the Olmypics. No doubt that abundant granite rocks and the granite mountains were the highlights of this hiking.
After hiking about 5 miles from the trailhead, next 2 miles are steep uphills to Tuck Lake. It was strenuous odd switchbacks that looks like almost straight up. Little steeper trail than the Mt Ellinor (Mr. Skokomish Wilderness in Olympics). When tired, look at the Mt Daniel while intentionally breathing heavily (to get ample oxygen in the blood). From Tuck Lake, hiking about 2 miles up to the Robin Lake is more like scrambing the granite rocks by following the cairns marking. Needed to be cautious with the Cairns mark but, in general, they were right.
It was another awesome hike, probably the best day hiking so far for both good exercise and spectacular natural views.
