In early June I drove to the north side of Trapper Creek Wilderness, a nine square-mile designated wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

I hiked to two interesting destinations – – – 4,200-foot Observation Peak and 4,300-foot Sisters Rocks.

The Wilderness area where the hike occurred is smack dab in the middle of the Cascade Mountains with a dense upper canopy of mountain hemlock and silver fir trees.

After reaching the summit of Observation Peak, an old fire lookout site, I was joined by a backpacker and three equestrians. The backpacker had spent the night camping alongside an upper stretch of Trapper Creek. The horseback riders Wes, his daughter and his daughter’s friend had spent the early part of the day exploring the trails in the area. Good folks all.

The views from the Peak and neighboring Sisters Rocks were spectacular, with five snow-covered Cascade volcanoes dominating the skyline.

The bright white plumes of beargrass, and many other wildflowers, added colorful variety to the hike.

What a nice day to be in the wilderness.