Today’s hike was chosen in exasperation and I was not thrilled about it. I had wanted a longer hike, a steeper hike, and every hike that sounded good was still under too much snow. As it turned out this 6 mi walk in the woods was perfect and beautiful. You can start at either end of the Old Sauk River Trail, and walk about 3 miles to the other end, then turn around and head back to your car. The trail follows the Sauk River or a “dry” channel of it almost the whole way.
Towering moss and lichen-laden trees stretched up to form a ceiling full of singing birds, and the earliest wildflowers were blooming, including this damp trillium.
For the most part it was a lovely sunny day. I couldn’t believe how balmy and cheerful the woods were. Then, suddenly everything grew dark and within seconds it was raining and micro-hailing.
After that it was on and off again sun and sprinkles. The trail crossed a couple small creeks, one of which had no stepping stones or bridge. I carried Adventure Dog on the way, but on the way back he raced ahead so he could forge it himself.
One of the birds we heard, was knocking on the trees instead of singing. I looked around and spied what I think is a female hairy woodpecker. She didn't like to hold still and was a ways off, so that is why the picture isn't particularly great.
At some point along the way, we managed to really piss off this tiny bird. I think he must have had a nest nearby. His quieter mate fretted and hopped around nearby, silently wishing hate on us.
Here are some plants that I enjoyed looking at. This green stuff that I have not identified was everywhere, and what this picture doesn’t show, besides its beautiful emerald radiance, was that it was glittering with droplets of water and really pretty! The next I believe is coltsfoot, not really gorgeous, but any signs of returning warmth make me happy. The third picture is of fern fiddleheads. I love their name and anything is cute when it’s a baby, even a fern.
We left the rushing river behind and returned to the car. Cedar still had a lot of energy, but seemed satisfied with our little hike. The other great thing about this hike? We had it nearly to ourselves! On our way down the highway, this cloud-dolphin breached up into the blue as if to say our day shouldn’t be over yet!
So I drove a bit further north and looked at some of the Skagit Valley Tulips. Cedar got out in the daffodils… you can see what he thinks of flowers, see his tongue sticking out?
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