Labor Day long weekend (9/5-7). Spent 2 nights.
Day 1: Hiked to Jade Lake, 10.5 miles, 4500' elevation gain.
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/jade-lake
Condition: very dusty and busy. Some scramble above Marmot. But the trail is not hard to follow.
Day 2: Scrambled to Dip Top Peak. +1.5 miles RT, +1500' gain.
https://www.summitpost.org/dip-top-peak/951274
Condition: busy to the gap. Snow is soft enough that many people didn't use any traction devices. I used micro-spikes. I believe I was the only person who went all the way to the peak on Sunday. It's all scramble, on rocks. The top section is narrow and steep, requires caution. Not loose at least
Day 3: Hiked to Robin Lakes (didn't drop down to the lakes) +2 miles, +2500' gain. Very busy, steep, loose and dusty use trail. A bit confusing around Tuck Lake.
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/robin-lakes
We started at Tucquala Meadows Trailhead in Cle Elum area. Robin Lakes and Dip Top share the first ~4 flat miles. TH had 67 cars when we left a little past 4pm on Monday.
Come here on a week day!
Photos:
1) rock gully above Marmot Lake
2) snow/ice toward Dip Top Gap
3) the top narrow rock ridge of Dip Top Peak
4) view towards south on the summit of Dip Top (Daniel, Hinman, Rainier)
5) view towards north+east on the summit of Dip Top (you see the route you climbed)
6) trail to Robin Lakes
7) Robin Lakes