I headed out this morning for a hike to Lake Clara, the 3ish-mile trail just outside the Mission Ridge boundary that climbs about 1,000 vertical feet through forest, rocky openings, small meadows, and eventually up to a quiet little lake tucked into the mountainside. For anyone looking to stretch their legs right now, conditions are in great shape. The trail is fully snow-free, nearly fully dry, and currently makes for a very pleasant spring hike.
The morning had just the kind of peaceful mountain feel I needed to start the day off on the right foot. Birdsong carried through the trees, a woodpecker could be heard working somewhere in the distance, and a light breeze rustled through the confer needles. With sun overhead and comfortable temperatures on the trail, it was just about ideal hiking weather.
The wildlife seemed to agree. Along the way, I spotted a rabbit, a hawk, plenty of songbirds and squirrels, and the first butterflies of the season working their way through sunny patches along the trail.
Vegetation is waking up quickly now, especially lower on the trail where the understory is filling in with fresh green growth. Higher up, spring is still a little newer, but greenery is beginning to work its way along the entire route. The larches are once again showing off. Their needles have returned even at higher elevations, bringing those bright, almost glowing shades of spring green that seem to catch every bit of morning sunlight.
The flower bloom continues to develop as well. Glacier lilies are the main attraction at the moment, though their stage of bloom changes noticeably with elevation and aspect. Lower down, many are already moving past their prime, while higher and shadier areas are still holding some beautiful displays. That short window is part of what makes them special. Glacier lilies tend to follow the retreating snowpack closely, blooming just as the ground opens up and then fading within a few weeks.
Closer to the trailhead, the mix is beginning to broaden. In the warmer, sunnier patches, the first penstemons are starting to come up, along with a few other early-season flowers. Tweedy’s lewisia is also in full bloom among the rocky crags in the first third of the trail. This bright and showy early bloomer grows in a limited range in our region and favors rocky, well-drained places, making it a pretty special sight so close to the mountain.
Back at the resort, we’re now just a couple of weeks away from the summer opening of the Chair 5 Pub on June 5. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back in an official capacity then, but in the meantime, it’s a great opportunity to head outside enjoy this beautiful stretch of season on the mountain.
Base Area Forecast
Friday 5/22: Increasing clouds, with a high near 66. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northeast in the morning.
Saturday 5/23: Sunny, with a high near 68. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Sunday 5/24: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Chair 5 Pub Schedule
The Chair 5 Pub at Mission Ridge opens for the summer on June 5th! The restaurant will be closed throughout May. Beginning in June, standard hours will be Fridays from 4pm–9pm, Saturdays from 11am–9pm, and Sundays from 9am–2pm. Visit the Operating Calendar to view a full schedule.
No chairlifts will run during the summer season.
Summer Access PolicyÂ
During the summer season (May-October), public access within the Mission Ridge Special Use Permit area is permitted except where restricted due to maintenance and construction. We love seeing the Mission Ridge community in the mountains and on the trails year-round, but please make sure to check out the full access policy by clicking the link below.
