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Day 14 (Sat, 8/9). North Puyallup River to Golden Lakes (4960 ft elev).   Backpacked 5 miles with 2038 ft gain/  779 ft loss.

a. "SUNSET" Benchmark / Sunset Park Day Hike (After Camp):  8 miles rounddt rip with 785ft gain/loss.

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Looked like it was the coldest night at N Puyallup River camp site.   For the day, it was a short mostly uphill.   Again,  I felt strong.    On the night before,    I ate both Ramen and Mountain House for dinner.  It was the first time eating both for dinner.   Looks like my digestive systems were working excellent converting potential (food) energy to Kinetic (moving) energy for the day.   Our original plan was to do the side trip en route but decided to continue on to the camp site first since it's just around a mile to go back and we could relax for a while at the camp site before heading out to our side trip.   Near the highest pt for the day,   3 of us started picking the mountain berries.    They were in a full bloom and covered the whole area.   We spent about 2 hours to pick the berries to bring home.

Interestingly,  our camp site at Golden Lakes were not around the Golden Lake but was next to an unnamed lake.    The Golden Lake could be visible from individual camp site #4 which was just above the Group site.   Looked like it could not be accessed.     There were a few lakes/tarns (standing water) around the area but not much skeeters, maybe, they were  not in season yet.

After setting up our tent and taking a break, we left for "Sunset" benchmark (1210-1600).    We went back up just over a mile (near the place where we picked the blueberries) and turned toward the mountain on a slightly fainted trail (clearly it's a trail).    Looking at the cedar strips on the trail,  trail was made some time ago but did not maintaine any more.    It was pleasant walking on open and high country trail.     Dave did find the Benchmark using his GPS.     The BM was installed on a small rock.      We continued on walking on the ridge where there was trail.    Looking down at the Sunset Park area,   we saw 2 bears using a binocular.    When 3 of us went further to another top of the ridge,   we encountered a small black bear around 50 ft away.   The bear looked at us once and immediately took off.    I was ready to defend the other 2 ladies with my hiking pole !

Came back to camp site, dipped in the lake, relaxed, and fulfilled for the day.   The camp site was pleasant without much bugs.    After dinner,  drank some teas and chatted.   Rod gave us a lesson on how to make an alcohol stove.   He had a home made alcohol stove that weighs like 3-4 oz.   He could also recycle the unused fuel !    To boil water,  looked like it's the most efficient way in backpacking as for its weight.      I am strongly considering making or buying an alcohol stove for backpacking.    My stove and fuel probably weights over 3 LB.   If alcohol stove was used,  it could be less than 1.5 LB and compact.

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