Late Summer Beach Hike

Ebey's Landing (Whidbey Island):  late September 2012

5.6 miles

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ebeys-landing

We capped off the summer with a quick and lovely beach hike on Whidbey Island.  We didn't take a single photo, so I must credit the internet with the two that I have posted here. With our 50 mile goal accomplished, we traded in our hiking boots for ski boots.  60 miles in 2013!

Touching the Face of the Mountain

Burroughs Mountain: September 2012

Distance 7.4 miles
Elevation gain 1000 feet
Highest point  7400 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/burroughs-mountain

Pure bliss.  Best. Hike. Ever.  The photos say it all.  I will add that the closer you get to the mountain, the more impossible and overwhelming it becomes.  Last big hike of the season and I think the boys really saw the payoff on this one.

We aren't even out of the car yet. 

This was a beautiful hike from beginning to end.

After a brief push uphill, things leveled out and we could just amble along and enjoy the scenery.

Fields of flowers!

Sudden landscape change--I guess we are above the tree line.  Now it looks like the moon.

Amazingly, there is actually a reservoir up there.

Happy Hiker.

big brother pulling little brother up the hill....

And the payoff.

Wind Grimacing.

Back down through the moonscape.

And into the cool forest.

Mt. Rose

Mt. Rose:  late August 2012

Distance 6.4 miles
Elevation gain 3500 feet
Highest point 4301 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-rose

I won't say much about this hike, because I think I have PTSD from the experience.  Justin and I took this on one while they boys were away at camp.  Without the small folk, we thought it necessary to take on something more "hardcore" and Mt. Rose was just the ticket.  This one is in the southern part of the Olympic range and it was a poor substitute for the nearby Mt. Ellinor (closed due to a really cranky mountain goat).

Not this goat, but you get the idea.

It was hot, dry, not particularly beautiful, and straight up the ENTIRE way to the top--and then, worse, a really steep downhill trek to the bottom that left me with two cranky (like the goat) knees and a black big toe. If you have read past postings, you know that when the going gets tough the swearing begins, so you can imagine what Justin put up with on this hike.

This is the only evidence we have of this hike.  Doesn't he look like he is having fun?

The good news?  There was a really nice, cold lake at the bottom. and even better...we drove straight over to a gorgeous resort on the Hood Canal, where we spent our last night of freedom before picking up the guys at camp.  We were so tired that we both fell asleep in adirondack chairs on the lawn before we even checked in.

Crystal Mountain Loop

Crystal Mountain Loop (again!):  August 2012

Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain:  2450 ft
Highest Elevation: 6872 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/crystal-mountain

We just can't get enough of this hike (and the skiing is pretty good, too).  Grandma (Barbara) joined us for this one and it proved to be an excellent opportunity for her to break in her boots for a trek in Bhutan.  OK, it was a little buggy and there was some whining and the jelly beans came back for a visit (I think it was mostly an act for Grandma), but this was a fine hike that started with views of Mt. Rainier and ended with cold beer and good food at the lodge.  Lest we forget--this one is a real knee breaker on the way down.  Ibuprofen all around.

We usually ski on this trail! 

Is there such a thing as too much of this mountain?  I just can't get enough.

 

Fields of Green in the Cascades.

Who knew that there was a lake under all of that snow?  

Cherry Creek Falls

Cherry Creek Falls:  early June 2012

Distance 5 miles
Elevation gain 450 feet
Highest point 705 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cherry-creek-falls

Short, easy, close to home.  Also dog friendly and full of wildflowers.

Perfect for swimming on a (rare) hot day.

Salmon Berries!

Teneriffe/Kamikaze Falls

Teneriffe/Kamikaze Falls:  early June 2012

Distance 6 miles
Elevation gain 1420 feet
Highest point 2370 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/kamikaze-falls

The "Kamikaze" part must have something to do with the fact that once you finally get up there (after a million tight little switchbacks) there is absolutely no where to sit and there is a momentary desire to fling oneself onto the hikers below who are coming up to make it even more crowded.  Still--not a bad choice for a hike close to Seattle and just the right amount of bun burn to make it worthwhile.

The Mighty Falls!

Yes-Justin had to hold the boys on a rock so that they wouldn't fall. 

Wallace Falls and Icicle Ridge

2012 Hiking Season Begins with a Double Header!

It has been an unusually sunny spring in the Puget Sound region, so we are hoping for an early melt of the snowpack and lots of good hiking this summer.  It seems like we just stopped skiing a few weeks ago---probably because we DID just stop skiing at the end of April. Skiing is out--hiking is in and we are ready to get on with it.  We are upping the ante once again with a 50 mile challenge for Summer 2012 and a grand prize that includes a train trip to Vancouver, B.C.  This weekend, we headed to some guaranteed sunshine in Leavenworth, WA, where we nabbed two fantastic hikes, ate some Schnitzel, and played Bavarian themed mini-golf (with lots of beer for the parents).  Major changes this year in the boys' hiking abilities--they are 7 and 9 now and the gummy bears we brought along for bribery were mostly consumed by Justin.  Maybe they are just resigned to the family hikes, but I think they are starting to get it.  10 miles down and it isn't even June yet---see the next two entries for details.

Wallace Falls
Distance 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain 1200 feet
Highest Point 1500 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/wallace-falls

Nice hike, for some reason we took very few photos.  It seems that we did manage to capture an ewok in the forest, however.

Icicle Ridge
Distance 4 miles
Elevation Gain 1800 feet
Highest Point 3000 feet
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/icicle-ridge-1

Skepticism.