[John Morrow]

Larry R. and I have a tradition of getting in at least one fall backpack in. This year we chose to find a place with some nice fall colors, great camping potential, and perhaps a few peaks with prominence to explore: Pt.6388' (428'P), Pt. 6406' (486'P), Pt. 6057' (697'P). There are many neat places to explore, with beautiful open meadow country to camp in, south of Dewey Lakes if one studies the maps. We were fortunate to find one such location to set up the tents. The colors on the hike in glowed in the low sun and dissipating cloud cover.

Starting out

William O. Douglas Wilderness, WA

Mount Rainier Wilderness, WA

Dewey Peak

Dewey Lake

Going crosscountry

Sweet spot

Camp spot, William O Douglas Wilderness WA

Shangri-la, William O Douglas Wilderness, WA

Peaking berry

After setting up camp Larry went up to the ridge south of Dewey Peak. I headed south along the PCT to view some more fall color and reach the top of a couple peaks with 400+ feet of prominence. Leaving the PCT between Pt. 6350 and Pt. 6388' I found fun open travel on the northwest side of Pt. 6388' to the summit. Fay P. placed a match box container register back in 2007 and I was only the second entry.

Look at Rainier

NW slope of Pt. 6388'

Towards Pt. 6388'

William O Douglas Wilderness, WA

Then I followed the fun ridge southeast to Pk. 6406' over a great mix of meadows, open forest clumps, and even some fun class 2 scrambling, to the top of Pk 6406'. It is known by several names but I found the "Humbard Peak" sign quite interesting. Why was it placed there? Some great views from the summit of endless ridges and 3 volcanoes!

Next objective Pk. 6406'

Pretty parkland traverse

NW ridge of Pk. 6406'

Two Lakes and Goat Rocks

Looking back at traverse

Pk. 6406' "Humbard"

From Adams to St. Helens

Purple mountains

Then it was a pleasant hike back on the PCT to camp.

Meadow color

Loving fall

can't get enough color

Pt. 6057'

William O. Douglas Wilderness, WA Mount Rainier National Park, WA

Camp basin

Saturday morning I headed over to Pt. 6057' where I was lucky enough to come upon 2 goats guarding the summit! An older aluminum register is at the top but I was unable to open it.

Goats guarding Pt. 6057'

Morning light on Pt. 6057'

American Lake

Larry and I met back up for the hike back to Chinook through huge numbers of people doing the Naches Peak loop. I was very happy to get some Cascade crest color change after having been more on the east slopes of late for the larch turning. It is worth noting that much of the more prolific color change was actually south of the Naches Peak loop.

[Quark]

Nice color, great photos! Never saw Dewey Lake so pretty - no bugs, no people.

[Sadie's Driver]