Continuing the theme of 2020, I picked a Wednesday and aimed for a rarely visited peak in order to avoid people. I left the trailhead at 8:45 AM and followed the route recommended in Peggy Goldman's 'Washington Scrambles'. I stopped to measure the giant Doug-fir growing just the other side of the West Fork of the Foss--the diameter at breast height was 330 cm, with a circumference of 10.6 m! Wading the eastern edge of Little Heart Lake worked out pretty well, but I did pause to put my phone in a plastic bag, as the dropoff was soft-sided and steep in some places. Mosquitoes were constant companions from LHL to the summit. The final stretch to the top on grippy granite slabs was lovely, reminding me of the Sierras. Views from the top were worth it.

I'd cooled down enough when I started the descent that I threw on a shell to fend off the over-friendly insects. Once I reached Big Heart Lake again and took a dip, I'd had enough talus-hopping for the day and decided to take the alternate route, which meets up with the Foss Lakes trail on the northern edge of BHL. I connected with some cairns and an occasional waytrail about halfway across the forested parkland traverse. Taking this alternate route on the way up would have added about 3/4 of a mile and 250 ft of elevation gain to the ascent, but I think it would have been faster thanks to the extra time on trail.

With a stop to refill water, I made it back to the car at 7:30. Brought an ice axe, but never used it.