So many mountains! Davis Peak, Snoqualmie Pass region, Washington Cascades

Over Snoqualmie Pass yesterday onto the dry eastern slopes of the Cascades, to Cle Elum, Roslyn, Salmon La Sac, and after a couple hours of driving arrived at the Davis Peak trailhead at 7:00. This hike is about 11 miles roundtrip and 4000 feet of climbing up to 6490 ft, about a thousand feet higher than I'd climbed yet this season. As the topo map shows, this is a trail of relentless switchbacks heading due north up the mountain. Deep forest eventually gives way to an old burn zone and flower-filled alpine meadows and finally to naked rock. The named summit is the site of an old fire lookout of which nothing remains but some desultory bits of lumber and ironmongery, and a pile of stone remade as a hiker's shelter. The true summit is another half-mile along a narrow ridge. There is very little real estate at the top, but the views! Mountains, mountains, mountains.

The trail first descends to Paris Creek then plunges into the forest and shortly after the switchbacks begin.

The trail begins at about the elevation of Lake Cle Elum and ascends this far before a view opens.

A false summit. The trail swings around to the right across a bowl.

The ruined tower.

On to the true summit.

Up on top, barely enough room to turn around. Lake Cle Elum again, and volcano Rainier in the center.

A shallow tarn directly below, then Opal Lake, and Terrence Lake in the distance.

From the true summit looking back toward the lookout site at the end of the ridge.
 

And down again.

The Cascades' ridgeline, holding back the marine layer on the west side.

Paris Creek.