Aug. 24th. Side trip to Liberty Cap (trail 1562.2)
With our leisurely pace on the loop trip, we decided to take a morning side trip, hiking from the Buck Creek Pass camp up to Liberty Cap. Having stashed our packs we practically skipped up the trail – I guess 40lbs really does make a difference, even on a large frame like mine. We climbed ~700 feet up over the course of a couple of miles, quickly gaining altitude on the switchbacks, and circling west on a few long traverses.
Glacier Peak from Liberty Cap
Heading up the trail it did not take long for a return on our hiking investment, as we rounded the mountain and were rewarded with outstanding views of Glacier Peak to the west. Located more remotely in the Cascade range, the mountain does not receive as much attention as its Washington cousins Baker, Rainier, St. Helens and Adams. However, this 10500ft beauty is one of the great active volcanic mountains of the northwest having erupted ~5 times over the last 3000 years. The evidence of this activity was strewn all around us, as we picked up porous lightweight volcanic rock. Needless to say, the peak sparkled under the clear blue sky, showing off it’s incredible geological features. More than one acquaintance has challenge me to a trip to the summit and now that I’ve seen the mountain, the temptation is real.
Ken enjoying a little R&R on Liberty Cap.
As we made our way to the western slopes of Liberty Cap, the Glacier views were almost trumped by the vast meadows of wildflowers we wandered into. It is practically impossible to capture the sensory experience of hundreds of acres of wildflowers in vivid bloom. We made a few attempts with our cameras, but in the end I simply sat back, looked out across at Glacier Peak and enjoyed the moment. The diversity of plant species, range of colors and the variety and numbers of bees and other insects were more than I’ve seen before. All I can say is that I would recommend this little side trip to anyone. Along with Rialto Beach, I’ll add it to the top of my list of places to visit!
Wildflower meadows on Liberty Cap.
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The flowers would have kept me captive for quite a while and I can hear Garrett’s voice in my head pleading with me to carry on and stop trying to take pictures of every flower! This sounds like a place I’d like to be! Even despite the climbing that you mentioned.
Beautiful.