Slater Peak...The Top of the World

The next day, we hung in the campground to recover from our epic hike to GrassHopper Peak.  The temperatures were warming; the winds abating.  The on site ranger suggested we drive 3 more miles up that tortuous road and hike the final quarter mile to the top of Slater Peak.

Slater Peak is a now abandoned fire lookout station offering 360 degree views of the Northern Cascades, Pasayten Wilderness, and Okanogan-Wenatchee Forests.  The peak is a flat top -- courtesy of the cold war in the 50s when the last 100 feet was blasted off to make a radar station for those pesky planes that never arrived.  Anyway I'm sure the US guys had fun doing the munitions practice to blow the top off that hill.

As the weather system had blown through we were treated to stunning clear blue skies and breath taking views all the way to Mt Baker (northeast of Seattle).  Views north to Canada.  Views east down the long deep valleys of the Pasayten Wilderness.  Every where, glaciers glistening in the sun.  

We walked around the top of the peak, and felt indeed to be "on top of the world."

It was one of my favorite moments, but Alan thinks it was too easy a hike to warrant "hike of the trip" awards.