[Hikingqueen]

I’ve waited 3 long years to knock this one off my list. The road has been messed up for years and I’ve attempted this one at least 5 times. In the rain, snow, sun… all failed attempts. But today, I finally got there and it was so worth the wait! First off the road in awesome shape, 2 guys working on it today even. Any car can make it all the way to the TH. There was one other car in the parking lot at 8 AM and looks like they were camping. Trail started out rocky, then sandy and then nice soft trail rest of the way.

First little lake

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Nice green, cool forest summit lake trail 8-17-09

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I arrived at first little lake and watched the fish jump for a while then headed up to the next lake, checking out the views as I went along. I saw SO MANY flowers in bloom!

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Views along the way

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Fields of Tiger Lilies

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Once I saw this, I picked up the pace a little...

My typical butterfly shot

I think someone forgot to tell Summit Lake that it’s Aug 17th cuz the Avalanche & Tiger Lilies are still in bloom! But I’m not complaining really!

Summit Lake 8-17-09

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First views open meadows summit lake

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Wild flower heaven, I found it only an hour from my house.. Summit Lake

Bird's-beak

Summit Lake 8-17-09 Avalanche Lily

I arrived at the Summit lake around 9:15, it’s an easy trail not a lot of elevation, I love that! Views of Rainer with beargrass and tiger lilies, views of Summit Lake. I noticed 3 backpackers tearing down camp. I didn’t know which way to go left or right around the lake.. where to start, so much to see… found some blueberries ripe and ate a few, took tons of photos of more bird’s beak pink and yellow!

Reflection @ Summit Lake

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Peak a view of Summit Lake

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Underwater setting

Bee doing his thing

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Checked out the lake from all sides. This lake is much bigger and deeper than I thought, it’s so clear and inviting, I wished I had brought a towel and change of clothes. Now I must go back and swim! Flies were annoying at times, I’m not going to lie, but the flowers, lake, mountain views more than made up for it.

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View from Summit Lake

[raising3hikers]

Looks like a great hike. Very nice pics I still need to do that one someday. Thanks for the TR

[dropkick]

Very cool! It's been years since I've done that hike, and the road has kept me away. Now that it's fixed it I'll have to head up there again. Lately I've been jumping in lakes change of clothes and towel or not. You only live once, and sometimes I regret thinking of all those beautiful lakes I didn't jump in when I had the chance.

[Highwalker's Daughter]

Glad you finally got there! I used to love going there, but I haven't been there since the 80s.

[NWtrax]

Nice to hear you made it and glad to see the flowers still in such great shape! I like the reflection shot you got too.