The next day was for exploring, with two hikes planned. The morning goal was this broad mountain. People call it Tyee Peak, though the map seems to indicate that the rounded peak on the left is actually Tyee Peak.


We descended the main trail briefly and then turned right on an unofficial side trail and passed this lower pond. The route goes to the notch and then up and left.


Lots of animal tracks in the mud next to the water - deer? elk? mtn goats?


I was doing citizen science, collecting scat samples for the Cascade Carnivore Project. They are looking for Cascade Red Fox, wolverine, or wolf. They will do a DNA test on the sample to determine what it was from. They sent me a sample collection kit - gloves included.


The broad summit


Rainier starts to come into view over Crescent Mountain


Even more - the dark snowless face is called the Willis Wall


Mother Mountain


Another small pond below. I decided to go down the steep grassy slopes this way


We finished that hike, went back to camp for a while, and then headed out on our second trip, to Crescent Lake, again on an unofficial trail, which crosses a number of talus fields.


The trail gets less distinct.


Statue of Liberty snag.


First view of the lake


Getting closer - a wonderful deep blue color


An amazing peninsula sticks out into the lake, almost cutting it in two


We hung out next to the lake for an hour or two. We could have camped here, but our site was more central to all the hikes. But this spot would be great to retreat to. Only two groups are allowed to camp in the cross country zone at a time, so at most, there would be one other group. But nobody was there. Just the birds.


The next morning, for our hike out, I was up with the sunrise on the ridge, and the moon just above it.


Another mountain goat (or the same one?) was taking it easy above camp, wishing us farewell


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