I use the 100 Classic Hikes in Washington book as a starting guide for hikes to do in the state. My sister Julie on the other hand has turned it into a checklist which she's working obsessively to complete. Now any hike I do with her involves a means to check another item off the list. For this outing the goal was to check off two hikes, Twin Sisters Lakes and Blankenship Lakes - Tumac Mountain. Both hikes are located just Southeast of Mount Rainier. The plan was to do a one way hike from Deep Creek Campground near Bumping lake to the Indian Creek trailhead near Highway 12. Julie's husband Willie was kind enough to provide the drop off and pick up duties.

We read the trail reports about the hikes, but not well enough. We knew bugs would be bad, but there is a big difference between knowing and being prepared. There were points where we were swarmed by hundreds if not thousands of bugs. No type of bug repellent fully worked and there were times that running away was the only thing that helped.

Without the bugs the first half of the hike would have been pleasant. The Twin Sisters and Blankenship lakes were beautiful and the out and back hike up Tumak Mountain offered some good views despite trees blocking Rainier. As we progressed further to Indian Creek the trail started disappearing. Fortunately Julie's mapping app kept us from getting lost.

Once we got on the Indian Creek trail (after crossing the accurately named Mosquito Valley) we noticed the trail was in a severe state of disrepair. We had to climb over many blown down trees and part of the trail was so washed out we had to climb down and up a steep gully to continue. We eventually got to the trailhead (again thanks to the mapping app), but Willie was nowhere to be found. Looking down we saw sticks spelling out Julie with an arrow pointing down the road. We continued on the road following more and more arrows. The road was completely washed out in places and undriveable. After a couple miles the road improved and we eventually met up with with the very patient Willie. After later reviewing the trip reports for Indian Creek we found there were no recent reports. The trail for the most part had been abandoned. In any case I was happy to join my sister on a hike, but until she completes her checklist I expect some form of chaos to accommodate our travels.

Twin Sisters Lake

Tumac Mountain

Mount Rainier

Twin Sisters Lakes from Tumac Mountain

Blankenship Lake

Tumac Mountain

Mosquito Valley

Indian Creek

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July 22, 2018