10.5 miles of hiking • 2250' elevation gain •
We got a late start on this hike, arriving at the trailhead shortly before noon. I was hoping we'd be able to snag a decent parking spot from one of the backpackers getting off the trail. As luck had it, a truck pulled out of a spot in the top spur TH lot, shortly before we arrived. :)
As usual the trail to McNeil point was busy as it usually is on warm weekend days in August. All the snow past the Mazama trail from two weeks ago was melted except for a couple small patches.
The one thing I did notice on this hike, which I have not noticed on a lot of other hikes I have done this season, is that there are a lot of hikers out there who need to spend some time learning LNT ethics. Since the trail was busy and narrow in spots, there were a lot of hikers stepping off the trail and ONTO plants, wildflowers and other foliage to let others pass; even when there were spots of bare dirt or better yet, rock less than a few feet away. Ok, I'm off my soapbox now...
Wildflowers are at their peak now. Overall, another great day on the mountain.
