Rangers Lie

Glacier Lake, 6/21/08, 4.5 miles, 800 elevation

Every year Michael & I travel south to Randle. Sandwiched between Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens, Randle was my uncle's favorite vacation spot and at times the family vacation became an epic adventure filled with friends and family. The family vacation was one of the traditions we kept intact after he died years ago. So every year, during the same weekend in June family and friends still gather together to fish, boat, hike, sightsee, and just sit around exchanging BS.

Michael & I are the hikers of the family, my sis will often join us and this year another friend and our cousin joined us. Now first, we had talked with the ranger at the Cowlitz Station to find out, in this late snow year, what trails are open for a nice little day-hike. The second thing to understand is the cousin does one hike a year and that is generally the extent of her exercise.

The trail, we were told, follows along a creek for about 2 miles and is a nice stroll through the forest. Yeah, right. Normally, this hike wouldn't have been a problem, but with our cousin along for the walk it became a fearful trek. We were all concerned for her well-being as she trudged 1st down one hill and then up the next. I could imagine her cursing me under her breathe as she slowly moved her feet up the hill as it grew steeper and steeper as we progressed.

But we finally made it to the lake and my cousin turned to me and said, "I forgive you." After that, we trundled back down the hill. Back in camp, the family listened while she told them the reason why they should never go hiking with us - at least not on a new trail.

Two Lakes in a Day

Fragrance and Lost Lakes, 6/15/08, 10 Miles, 1700 Elevation

On the way to Bellingham, between I-5 and the Puget Sound, stands a mountain. Not a great mountain by any measure in Washington, but a significant hill none the less. large enough in size to house two little lakes and a 10-mile hike between the two. So on this day, a bright day over Washington, the CHS hikers made their way up the mountain to first Fragrance Lake then to Lost Lake.

Fragrance Lake is a small-ish lake set in a divot in the sandstone hill. The interesting thing about this area, is that there is a vein of sandstone that runs along the Puget Sound from the Northwest to the Southeast through Chuckanut Mountain. Sandstone is not seen in Washington very much - if you want to see it up-close and personal come to Chuckanut Mountain. The cliffs that surround Fragrance Lake show this vein nicely.

After leaving Fragrance Lake we climbed up over a hill to a long trough cut into the mountain cradling Lost Lake. We sat above the lake for lunch with views from one end to the other. Across the lake stood a snag that none of us took much notice of until someone pointed out movement on one of the branches - a bald eagle sat there perfectly camouflaged against the dark forest behind.

So although this little mountain doesn't look like much compared to the greater mountains in the cascades, its flanks still hold the beauty we expect to see in what wee'd consider "true wilderness."

In June, a Little Snow will Fall

Stuart Lake, 6/7/08, 8 miles, 1500 elevation

Snow was forecast for the Cascade passes for the 1st weekend in June. Snow! In June! Unbelievable! But our CHS hike leader was one jump ahead of the forecast by planning a hike to Lake Stuart in eastern Washington. We could go farther and higher as the snow was rapidly melting from the mountainous areas outside of Leavenworth. Lake Stuart would be our destination.

Even as we started out, we noticed that the snow had not been long from even the trailhead. Ferns and shrubs were just beginning to spring back from the oppressive weight of the winter snows. But there along the trail sprouting happily in preparation of blossoms were Queen's Cup leaves. A short way further tender pink Lady Slippers gleamed in the filtered sunlight.

The trail follows the creek all the way to the lake and we stopped for a short breathe where the trail crosses it on a nice sturdy bridge. Later we stopped again at the trail junction with Colchuck Lake. We seemed to be going at a more casual pace this trip and were able to enjoy each other's company more than on a few of the other trips I had been on.

It was just beyond the junction when the forest opened up into a wide meadow with Dragontail Peak and breaking clouds just beyond. Cameras were pulled out so we could each capture this lovely scene before continuing on. Snow still clinging to winter and the trail slowed our progress just before we reached Stuart Lake and our lunch spot. And it was here that our day became interesting.

Although we had been hiking in the sun for most of the way, in the lake basin clouds gathered and a cold stiff wind swept off the lake. It felt like winter. Just as we finished up lunch and were pulling out our remaining layers to bundle up more, the snow started fluttering down around us. It was definitely time to head back. Then, sure enough, 1/4 mile down the trail the clouds broke apart and we had to peel off the layers as we heated up.

I think the latest I had ever been snowed upon was the year I spent my birthday (August) on the top of Mt Evans in Colorado (a 14er). While this definitely won't be the latest, it will be a trip I won't easily forget - and not just because of the weather.

Nature's Garden

Westberg Trail, 5/31/08, 6 miles, 2050 elevation

Chased to the eastside of the mountains by snow clinging to mid-elevation trails, our CHS group found a place to stretch our legs and see some beauty in the hills near Thorp along Manastash Ridge. The description from our leader was that it was a steady climb for 2 1/2 miles where we'd be able to find our "forever" pace. However, even in the late spring the temps in Eastern Washington can be a force to be reckoned with especially for a cool weather gal like me.

Climbing the Westberg Trail through the sagebrush and balsamroot, left us unprotected from the sun. The heat sapped my strength and stamina - a "forever" pace was not in my ability this day. It was all I could do to climb a bit before resting and sucking down some more water.

At least with every stop there was the beauty that Karen had promised. Balsamoot covered the hills in gold, speckled with the purple of Lupine. Lomatium peaked out as did penstemon, asters and Bitteroots. When we finally reached the top of the hill, each one of us exhausted from the beating sun and heat, a view beyond compare greeted us. The Stuarts, still blanketed in snow rose to the blue sky far across the valley.

We had lunch there at the top of the hill, drinking in the view amongst nature's flower garden, before exploring more of the ridge. The views continued to gain beauty and inspiration and we finally decided to return to our cars - sadly leaving this place of wildflowers and mountain views.