Fall into Autumn

Punchbowl Falls, 10/25/08, 4 miles, 300 elevation

What a wonderful weekend. I was able to spend 3 days with a very good friend and about 20 other of her friends to celebrate the 70th anniversary of her birth and continued good health along the Columbia River. We had hoped for glorious fall color and although the colors weren't as far along as we had hoped, they were nothing to guffaw at.

We are all photo-geeks so we spent each day exploring the waterfalls and apple orchards in the gorge and the Hood River valley. I think came away with almost 300 shots - gotta love the digital age.

The one hike a few of us took was along Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls. The trail continues further to Tunnel Falls - that famous cascade where the trail cuts under the waterfall along the cliff. We didn't have the time to go that far, but it's on my list.

The trail hugs the cliff even in the first 2 miles to Punchbowl Falls, with a few ramblings through the woods as it slowly climbs to a vantage point over-looking the falls. Before the vantage point, a side trail takes off down the hill. This will take you to the falls and a sweet little waterfall below punchbowl. Most photo-geeks lament about the log that has fallen across the chasm leading into the falls for it blocks a perfect view. I instead playing with the log - after all, nature is nature and you must work with what she gives you.

We all met afterward for dinner and birthday cake in Hood River and made plans on where to go on our friend's 80th birthday.

Autumn Solitude

Grand Park - Mt Rainier, 10/18/08, 8.6 miles, 1600 elevation

I have mentioned before that Grand Park on the north side of Mt Rainier is one of my favorite places. And the hike up to the park past Lake Eleanor is a pleasant stroll through the forest and meadows. During the spring, flowers cover the meadows. The last time we made our way up to Grand Park we were thwarted by snows. This time the autumn sun smiled upon us through cloud breaks and trees. As we passed into the lower meadow, the clouds parted around the mountain to remind me why I love this hike so much - the grand volcano's presence is always felt, like a watchful parent.

But the lower meadow only teases you as to the views above. Grand Park is a mile long flat meadow stretching out below Mount Fremont. The views of the mountain are unobscured. And on a glorious day, it shines like a beacon in the sky. There were a few flowers still hanging on, but autumn is in full swing on the mountain. The Gray Jays fluttered about as we reached the meadow but left us alone as we continued up the meadow to or lunch spot in full view of Mt Rainier. Until lunch not a single person hiked past us. Our only company was each other and the looming mountain ahead.

I love Grand Park for it's beauty and quiet solitude. Not many people seem to know about the trail past Lake Eleanor and the trail from Sunrise is too long for most casual hikers. So a hike here is guaranteed to bring you quiet reprise no matter what time of year.

Washington's Yosemite

Methow Valley Exploration 10/10/08-10/13/08

Normally, Michael and I take our vacation the week prior to Columbus Day. We load up the car and set out to explore the western US and Canada, but not this year. Instead we took a week to finish off the Wonderland Trail. So when my travel bug hit just as the calendar rolled from Sept to Oct we set off to explore a portion of Washington we had only driven through and always wanted to see more of - The Methow Valley.

Friends had been telling me for years the wonders of the Methow and I believed them. I just never got a chance to hike or ski or camp in this marvelous place. Michael was so excited to get going that the car was packed by the time I got home Friday night and we decided to drive all night until we reached Winthrop. Luckily, Pearrygin State Park was still open and we set up camp in the moonlight along the banks of the lake. Although we didn't get to sleep until well after 1am, I was up at sunrise to catch the 1st glimmer of the day on the lake.

For the rest of the 3 day weekend, we drove along forest roads to scenic viewpoints and trails to be noted at a later date. We drove through stands of burned out trees from the 30-mile fire and stopped by the memorial honoring the fire fighters who tragically died fighting the blaze. We watched as hunters drove past looking for deer and then deer walk across the road as they passed. Above all, we admired the land of the Methow and Chewuch rivers.

On the Edge of Seasons

Beverly Creek/Tooth Saddle, 10/5/08, 9 miles, 2800 elevation

I was on the hunt for Larches, the oddity of the coniferous tree family. Their needles turn golden in the fall and are shed by winter and the trees seem to glisten on east slope hillsides shining brightly against the dark greens of the rest of the coniferous forest. I wanted to capture that quintessential image and although that image didn't materialize this trip (or this year) the hike up to Tooth Saddle will remain a highlight of this year's hiking season.

Snows had already fallen by the time our merry little band of Mountaineer hikers left for the Teanaway, but that wouldn't deter us from alpine views and autumn color. The trail along Beverly Creek is an easy saunter slowly gaining altitude through forest and talus fields. Autumn leaves filtered the sunlight to a ruddy glow on the occasion it made an appearance from behind the clouds. We stopped for a short break before climbing to the ridge and joining the County Line trail for a wonderful traverse with views of the Enchantments across the valley.

Along the way to our next climb, pockets of snow still lingered amongst the shrubs and fallen logs. But the sky by now had cleared to shine blue on the mountains surrounding the valley. Here also we found our first larches, some a greenish gold, a few a dazzling gold. Soon we were up in the saddle just below the tooth and watching as dark clouds rolled over the Enchantments bringing with them flurries that fluttered all around us. As soon as the snow brushed us the flurries were gone and we made our final push up to Tooth Saddle.

We were heavily rewarded by sparkling views all around but it was the Enchantments and their crown Mt Stuart that snatched our breathe. Well, maybe it was also the bitter wind blowing through the saddle. Our larch hunt may not have been very fruitful, our quest for views bountifully rewarding.