Cougar Mtn - Licorice Fern Trail

3.8 miles.  2 hours, 45 minutes.  Tank top and sun block!  Met a really nice lady along the way, who proceeded to tell us about all the recent bear sightings and where they had been clawing, digging for termites.  :/

                                         

Squak Mtn - May Valley Loop

Just a baby -close to home- hike today, to celebrate EARTH DAY. 

Middle Fork Snoqualmie - Pratt River

I’ve avoided Middle Fork Snoqualmie for many years. Mainly due to the 11.8 mile road to get to most trailheads.  HUGE pot holes the entire way.  Takes a million years to get anywhere.  Rumor has it that they started paving.  My friend Trish was my guinea pig today and ………..   95% of it is paved.  Nice J

Day 2 of vacation: Hike in the middle of the week.  Felt good to have a dirty tired dog in the car.  Sign of a good time. Went about 3 hours so I'm guessing about 4 miles.  Elevation gain was not significant and it was more noticeable on the way out.  

Northwest Timber Trail

"More Crazy People" a stranger said in passing. Let's just say it was a little wet and soggy!!  Was here 9 years ago, so it was like a new trail since I don't remember much of it.  Giving myself credit for 5 miles today!  

I got off my butt today

It's amazing what 3 hours in this can do for the soul!  

Tiger Mountain Trail

Just plain Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT)   Just needed some plain exercise, and pretty fall colors.  3 hours of much needed bliss.

It won't let me rotate this tree pic though...hmm

Annette lake - 4 miles ish

Hiking is the best cure-all on this planet, if only temporary.  The trail was too long for these old bones but I knew that beforehand. This was on the bucket list from long ago, and had to dust it off.

Hope & Mig Lake ~ 3.2 or 4.6 miles ~ Ele Gain 1300 or 1550

 Anne:  Want to go for a hike this weekend?
Arlene: Yes, Let's do Lake Valhalla
Anne: (11 miles round trip, hmm)  Sure, but I'm only good for about 4!
Arlene the morning of:  We are going somewhere different!

This was either 3.2 miles or 4.6 miles depending on the source (Web, book or actual signs on the trees) (I still do math, even in the woods)  It was steep and had a nice variation of terrain.  Roots, rock, switch backs, flat spots, little creeks, bigger rocks, drop offs, some sketchy spots, and downed tree's.  Made it! It's been awhile since we've hiked together and we are are no longer hiking the same pace though!

We had the entire place to ourselves!!

Stan's Overlook ~ Rattlesnake Mtn

The best way to put a long hard week behind one self.

Does it count as an action shot if a timer was used?

We made our destination

Rare these days

In the rain

About 4 miles

Mt. Teneriffe

After years and years of hiking, there are still hundreds of trails I haven't done.  Hard to believe!  This little treasure has a boulder field which made my heart happy, along with a little scramble.   It was raining too hard to take a lot of pics.  3 hours saturated in Mother Nature.  Bliss.   I think I finally found the best way to tape my ankle.  Just enough to support the joint, but not too restrictive to encourage building strength vs weakness.  We'll see tomorrow!

Squak Mtn. Margaret's Way

Finally came out of hibernation! Muscle memory and endorphins are a beautiful thing. Celebrated some birthdays too!  Just a warm up to get the year going again.  You'd think by now that I've done all the trails on Squak and Cougar, but I haven't!

Sultan River Canon

 I don't remember reading about a mile hike to get to the trailhead?  Then it's down 800 feet in elevation into the foggy abyss.   It was a monsoon kind of day. You do your best to stay dry but it's only so long before one is soggy. Warm rain is ok though. Not everyone thinks so because we had the place to ourselves!  Thank you to my friends who oblige in these adventures with me!

Mt Baker Artist Point

Glad I brought a hat and gloves.  Actually I didn't bring them but rather already had them in the car, and enough to go around.  It was cold. I brought rain pants but didn't put them on,well because it wasn't raining, until it was.  Soaked.   Our hike was a little one.  Didn't see the mountain but the view, the fog, rocks and fall colors still captivated and made me happy.  

Mt. Washinton

3 intense hours on steep terrain and rocks is good for the soul.  I stopped keeping my spreadsheet so I can't tell you how many times I've been here before, but it was my first time during summer.  Our party of 5 quickly turned to 2.  The weather was perfect and I ate the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever.

Bridal Veil Falls ~ Lake Serene Flashback

The first time to the falls was with my family and Banda.  The second time was with Arlene and Claymore all the way to Lake Serene  (utter purgatory)   It seems fitting to be here with Arlene today and to leave a little bit of my father behind.  The falls?  Just a rock wall vs. an actual waterfall, at least at the bottom.  It’s close to 90 right now and not a drop of rain in sight.

West Tiger ~ Dwight's Way

“Are we still on for today? I really don’t want to slog around in the mud and rain”  This is a typical response to rain from most people.   I don’t let the weather stop me.  Part of the fun is the rain and mud.    

Lowlands do have their own treasures. Perspective has changed.  No bears today.   

Wilderness Peak

Oppression lifted yesterday with the sunshine. It carried over into today in the mountains.  A steep trail with very little forgiveness.  From 7 people and potential for 3-4 dogs, it came down to just us 3.  Showed my love to mountains and it was returned.