Maple Pass Loop 10-21-2018

I met up with a colleague I had not met before in person for this hike and was glad I did!  Despite my usual preference for solitude on the trail she was a joy and had done a lot of cool hikes and gone interesting places. 
We got there around 930am and all the parking spots in the lot were taken.  There was still room on the turn in road though, so we snagged one of those (on the way back I could see people parked up and down the highway!).  We hiked this counter clockwise, as I didn't want to hit those steep switchbacks right off the bat.  Last time I tried to do this one it was a hot day and I hadn't known that I was anemic and I just couldn't catch my breath.  Dave was with me for that round and I didn't make it more than a couple miles in.  This time, success!
We did the side trail to Lake Ann and there was a lot of ice on the little outlet stream and pools.  It was lovely though.  It was nice to look down on it as we hiked above it and see where we had been and how much elevation we had gained after we left its shore.

I saw a few pikas scurrying about squeaking, but didn't get any shots of them.  We enjoyed the beautiful scarlet blueberry leaves and even though the larches were past their prime there were still plenty of golden ones. 

The views from the pass are beautiful and I love how rugged the peaks are up here in the north. 

We were joined by a little chipmunk who was intent on grooming.  I thought he'd come up to see if we had any lunch to share, but the hikers here must be pretty good and the wildlife mostly kept its distance. 

On the way down we enjoyed views of Lake Ann to our left and wayyy, down below, Rainy Lake to our right. 

Then we switchbacked down through the meadows and the woods and over a stream to finish out our hike. 

My Apple Watch got us at 8 miles even, although I forgot to hit "resume" after a break, so probably lost a tenth of a mile or so there.  The elevation gain it had was about 2200 ft. 
What a very gorgeous day for a hike!  Blue skies and sunshine the whole time.  Everyone was out enjoying it though, which made for a very crowded trail.  Friendly happy people though!

On the way out toward Rockport we pulled over in the wildlife viewing area and got to see some bald eagles to top the day off.  Great day out!

Mt Dickerman 10-14-2018

The day was supposed to be clear, so I took advantage and hiked Mt Dickerman. I had never hiked it before, and knew it was going to be pushing it for me with the distance plus elevation gain.  It was SO WORTH IT!  The views were absolutely stunning and all the hikers at the top were just blown away with the awe of it all.  But I am getting ahead of myself.

The hike starts out switchbacking through the forest.

This time of year it was pretty nice to see a lot of different fungi springing up from the forest floor, and dead wood.

Mmmm, corals

After seemingly forever the trees thinned and opened up to more alpine trees, brilliant fall foliage and amazing views of the nearer peaks and ridges.

I was super happy to spot a couple mountain goats!

There was some ice on the way up - sprawling up through the trail and coating the tops of slow-moving pools.

Once at the top, after pushing my aching legs all the way, I was almost brought to tears by the stunning views in every direction.  I could see Baker, Glacier, Shuksan, even Rainier, along with all the less white crags rising around me.  I could even see some part of the Puget Sound, although I couldn't tell what part of the water I was looking at.

I really took my time up there and soaked in that beauty as I ate my lunch before heading down.
On the way down I saw this strange gray creature heading into the trees ; )

Also a Clark's Nutcracker I think...

Boy I thought those switchbacks were challenging on the way up?  The way down felt like it was never-ending! Haha.  I did spot this cute little garter snake though, with his orange and yellow like he was dressed for autumn.

Happy hiking!