Sometimes you luck out and get one of those days that don't come along very often. This day was no exception. Mark and I set out on a little journey starting our day with an hour long mt. bike ride thru Dash Point St. Park. Afterwards we headed East towards Cle Elum again. If you get to Cle Elum, you might stop at one of the attractions in town and that is the Pioneer Coffee Company. There's usually some interesting characters around including the baristas and there's a killer hot-dog stand on the corner. Just in case...
So up the Teanaway we went again to the North Fork and the Esmeralda Basin trailhead. It's a busy trail and parking can be limited - so best to get up there early for best parking options. Also, it's a national forest fee area so make sure you have a parking pass. The day started out warm but the breeze kept us cool. There are numerous streams and creeks but the later the summer the less water you'll find at the upper part of the basin.
A stream and meadow along the trail.
There's great places to explore and before you start switchbacks, you may find some limbs laying across a barren patch of trail. For a side treat, step into this little bypass and you'll be surprised at some great little wildflower meadows full of indian paintbrush, purple mountain daisies, columbine, glacier lillies, and desert parsley. Higher up on the trail phlox and shooting star can be seen. If you stick to the basin trail you will be rewarded with nothing less than spectacular views.
Columbine and purple mountain daisies litter the meadows.
Staring into the reaches of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. 
If you sit long enough you get treated to a little "character" along the trail.
This little guy came within about 20 feet just sitting watching us...and watching for hawks.
Mark takes a well deserved water break. Because I don't like to pack water, it's very handy tohave a water filter with you so you can filter cold, fresh H2O along the trail.
Posing at the top.
The elements continue to carve this land.
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