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.