5/28-29. Backpacked at Black and White Lakes from Staircase Ranger Station at SE Olympic National Park. Some down trees, one of which I crawled under. The lakes were half frozen. A lot of snow. We almost missed the turn to the lakes, if not for the GPS map I downloaded to my phone, because the trails were buried under snow. Avalanche Lily !
It's about 8 miles one way. 4000' gain.
We went to Flapjack Lakes on Sunday, instead of heading back down. Patch snow to the lakes. Almost snow free at the lakes. Continued to Gladys Ridge. Again lots of snow, until all on snow.
That's added 1 mile RT to Flapjack, and maybe extra 3 mile RT to Gladys Ridge. Maybe an extra 1500' gain.
No crampons needed. Soft snow.
Mosquito at lower elevation by the river. They were just coming out I think.
A few photos:
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdkYP6NSAPM/V050ZZH3ztI/AAAAAAAAHjk/WjutY23gr8ojYquLgyJtOPY2Ib7iOGzWACLcB/s1600/20160528_210822_BlackWhiteLakes_sunset.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06KiHDjrpNM/V052Cfn4GRI/AAAAAAAAHjs/U9fMgoF6Gr4ovz3CpA3p1KYM34g45PRxACLcB/s1600/20160529_092734_BlackWhiteLakes_Skokomish.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRkmo-qlIWc/V1EuqhZx6CI/AAAAAAAAHk8/ucyu2L8u0E0hawreupsCFD2Ck_ZMthxpwCLcB/s1600/20160529_145828_GladysRidge.jpg