Sorry for the late report ...

A small group of folks anchored by Randy Hill and me did the 5.5mi loop hike out of Paradise on Aug 5, 2020 in search of ptarmigan, encouraged by Marcus Roening's recent report. We did not find any. 3 very close Sooty Grouse, 3 even closer Gray-crowned Rosy-finches and 4 Mountain Goats were the highlights of the hike. We also found almost all of the wildflowers on the park pamphlet, and even more.

The surprise find were 3 wolverines in the snow (the Cascades Carnivore Project confirmed in the meantime that it is Joni with her 2 kits). Diagnostic images were obtained. The critters were roughly here: 46.802113, -121.725819. We were parked here (46.803397, -121.722636); this is a traditional area for ptarmigan hens to show up with their young.

If you go, always choose a weekday and start your hike at 6am. Also, must wear a mask when the crowds build later in the day; there really is no way to keep 6ft or more between you and others.

Stefan Schlick
Hillsboro, OR
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