Walking with Rangers

The Mt Baker-Snoqualmie Forest offers guided snowshoe hikes at Stevens Pass & Snoqualmie Pass on weekends. I had been reading about them for a couple of years & advising people to go on them but had never gone on one myself. So when my friends, the Mountainettes, decided to go I just had to sign up.

The day started out cold and shady. We'd be in the trees most of the day. Not like the previous day's snowshoe when we were on the ridge most of the day. But we were excited about a day of sun anyway. Our Rangers, Chuck & Cindy, got us off quickly after a few jokes & introductions. Ranger Chuck was in the lead and would stop every now & then to point out a view or some trace of life in a winter forest. We talked about winter travel safety and history. We took photos, told stories and laughed.

By the end of the day we were happy, tired, and ready to go again.

New Year's Snowshoe

Gold Creek - Snoqualmie Pass, 1/1/10

A simple way to ring in the New Year - snowshoe with friends at one of the few places we'd be guaranteed snow. We brought along a few newbies (friends who had not yet snowshoed) to show them the ropes. We didn't plan a long day, just long enough for our friends to get out and try a new sport.

The road started out crowded with other snowshoers and many young sledders. After getting the feel for the shoes, we had our friends treading through fresh snow - making their own trails, something I thinks is the most fun of snowshoeing.

And all too soon it was over, but warm drinks & hot food afterward just sealed our friendship and desire to head out again.

Blustery Days

Snow Lake, 11/1/08, 7 miles, 1300 elevation

If you are a Seattleite looking for a little hiking solitude during the summer, Snow Lake is not the place to go. However, if you want to go hiking with about 500 or more new found friends, Snow Lake is where you will find them. Michael & I found the solitude secret to hiking the Snow Lake trail with only 30 relative strangers.

Friends had often extolled the wonders of the Snow Lake trail - relatively short, not very steep, and in no time at all you are in the beauty of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. But the reputation of being a hiker super-highway left me just a little turned off by the whole thing. I'm afraid of getting hiker-herpes on Mt Si, what could I get on the way to Snow Lake? A bit of solitude on an otherwise blustery day.

We took Zillah along with us and left the Alpental parking lot early. The amount of cars left in the lot prepared us for the worst, but we soon realized those cars must be there for the lodge and had nothing to do with our day on the trail. The rain held off through most of our hike into the lake and the sun even showed itself while we adventured along a side trail to the Source Lake overlook. But once we got over the saddle to the Snow Lake valley, the wind blasted us with a winter chill as it rushed through the valley and over the lake. Hurray for fleece. But poor little Zillah started shivering as we ate lunch by the lake. Time to get her some cold weather gear.

As we felt the first few drops hit or faces, we gathered up our layers and quickly gained the saddle to cross to the other side to block the wind. It wasn't too long after that the rain became heavier. Zillah thankfully let us towel her off when we got back to the car. Pretty Snow Lake even as cold as the wind became, had given us warm welcome.

The Reason for it All

Kendall Katwalk, 7/26/08, 14.6 miles, 3100 elevation

Every now and then, everything comes together for the perfect hike - weather, trail, companionship, views. We got that this past weekend when we hiked up from Snoqualmie Pass to Kendall Katwalk and Ridge and Gravel lakes beyond.

We started out climbing steadily through the forest admiring the lush green and forest wildflowers. After crossing a few streams, we came out to meadows clinging to the slopes between large rocks and boulders. Rosy Spirea, Paintbrush, Lupine and Penstemon dotted the meadows. We looked down upon I-90, a grey ribbon threading its way through the mountains and over the pass. Red Mountain stood out against the blue and green of the surrounding scenery.

But it was after rounding the ridge where the real views came into sight. Kendall Peak looked down upon us as we traversed through wildflowers and snow not yet ready to melt away. It took no time before wee were at the catwalk - a trail carved out of the cliff face and views looking into the heart of the Cascades. Beyond the catwalk, the stubborn snow came in greater frequency. I could have sat on a rock overlooking the snow patches and the views all day, it was so peaceful and beautiful.

The lakes, by the time we got to them, were still mostly covered in ice and we had little time to enjoy them before heading back out. This by far is my favorite hike of the season.

Totally Tubular

Snoqualmie Pass Tubing Center

Sometimes you just gotta slide down a hill. But when you're as graceful as I am on skis, the next best thing would be to grab a round inflated tube of rubber and go for a ride.

We had been planning for years to head up to the Snoqualmie Tubing Center with friends for some fun in the snow. Finally, our schedules meshed and it didn't more than a second to schedule our laughter and glee.

There really is no better thing to share a laugh with friends.

Snoqualmie Boards

Snoqualmie Pass 12/29/07

Every time I drive past the ski slopes or watch winter snowboard events, I am amazed at the skill and enthusiastic joy these young people have on their boards. The closest I could think of to being out there with them - I'm too chicken to try it myself - is to take pictures of them as they spin and flip. So I decided to lead a Mountaineer's Photo Trip to Snoqualmie Pass during the Jib This! event. A yearly event that focuses on the 3 terrain parks and super half pipe at the Summit.

I was joined by Merry, Bruce & Paul in the drizzle in Issaquah before heading up to the pass where the weather was overcast but dry. Guye Peak greeted us as we climbed up to a nice overlook of the terrain park at Summit Central near Webb Ski School. After talking to Mike Webb, we were allowed to watch the event from the school's balcony. But as the morning wore on and the event didn't seem to start, Bruce and Paul moved closer to a jump uphill. Merry and I stayed on the balcony for the rest of the morning shooting the action and the sun glinting off the snow.

I'm not sure if the event ever started but I was able to fulfill a goal of shooting snowboarders and skiers and look forward to some more outings such as this.