Glacier Basin Trail News and an Introduction!

Joshua Jenkins

Hello MeadoWatchers!

My name is Joshua Jenkins, the 2018 MeadoWatch intern! I am a rising 2nd year
Public Administration/Public Policy student here at the University of
Washington’s Evans School with a concentration in Environmental Policy.
I hope everyone is excited as I am about this summer!

​

---

Meera and I hiked the Glacier Basin trail yesterday; what a gorgeous day it was,
I don’t think the weathercould have been any better. There are plenty of Glacier
Lilies budding and flowering at the moment andmake for a beautiful sight!
Sitka valerian is starting to come up as, with some of them budding, but there
wasn’t much more action than that.

---

Snow on the Trail

We weren’t able to place plot markers at both Plot 7, 9, or 12 because they 
were either partially or fully covered by snow. The trail conditions are pretty
favorable, before you reach Plot 9 there is virtually no snow that will impede
hiking; however, after Plot 9 the snow begins to impede hiking and remains
a constant presence throughout the end of the trail. Be careful crossing over
creeks and streams as there are places that seem to be covered by snow,
but may give way if you step on them. Meera and I were able to hike up
without poles or crampons/microspikes but I decided to use microspikes
on the way down for peace of mind. I recommend bringing whatever gear
makes you feel the most comfortable and surefooted while hiking in snow.
With that said, it seems like the snow is melting quickly!

​
I will be out on the trails next week collecting data and placing plot markers that we weren’t able to place
yesterday, don’t hesitate to come say hello if you see me! Happy hiking and I look forward to seeing ya’ll
on the trails this summer!

All the best,

Joshua Jenkins and Your MeadoWatch Team

​

---