Crescent Mtn 18 July 2014

Jean and I hiked early today - to avoid the heat and enjoy a nice crisp morning in the Old Cascades.  We were alone at the trailhead and only met one other couple.  The hike begins in a pretty woods with some nice woodland flowers.  The vegetation is very similar to nearby Iron Mountain.  The trail becomes steep as it climbs up the side of the slope.  Views open up to the Sisters, Broken Top and Washington.  The back side of Cone Peak and the familiar ridge of the Cone Peak trail are also in view. Lots of flowers, ferns, and bear grass decorate the entire side of the mountain.  Bear grass here was past its prime, but as we neared another forest, the trail was lined with it.  So pretty!  At the top, we had a view from Mt St Helens to Diamond Peak.  We could see the smoke from a forest fire near the Pamelia Lake area.
(9.3 mi 2200 ft gain, 5.5 hr with stops)

Maude Creek

Cone flower - this is all it does!

Scarlet Gilia

Cone Peak (meadowed peak to left)

the Sisters

lots and lots of Bear Grass

at the top

path lined with bear grass