Mt Pilchuck 6-23-19

AppleWatch Stats:  5.79 miles RT, 2161 ft of elevation gain.

I drove up the ridiculously pot-holed road to Mt Pilchuck this morning.  I knew I would not have a view, as it was pretty socked in with clouds and raining, misting and breezy.  I didn't mind - I wanted the hiking and hoped that would keep the crowds thinner on this popular hike.

When I parked around 7:30am there were only 3 other cars in the lot, although 2 more arrived just after me.  Still, that is so great for Pilchuck!  This can be a hot trail, and the mist and rain ensured that today that would be different.  Water flowed down the trail, water brushed off the friendly bushes onto my clothes, water fell from the sky and from the trees overhead as they poked holes in the cloud.  Water filled each breath of breeze.  I wasn't even 1/4 way into this hike when I was drenched through my raincoat.  I had anticipated that and put my fleece in my pack so I'd have something to warm up in later.

I'm sure most of you know this, but I only just realized the trick to keeping your raincoat hood from falling over your eyes over and over is to wear a ball cap under it.  The brim keeps the hood out of your face.  So - if there are any other slow-on-the-uptake hikers out there like myself, you're welcome!  haha

The hardest part about this trail is not the elevation, it's the rocky rocky bouldery uneven trail.  You really have to pay attention to where you are putting your feet, especially when it's wet and slippery.

Don't just hike this trail thinking about the final destination - the lookout and view (if there is one) is awesome, but there is so much more to this trail. There are some huge great gnarly trees on the way up, and huge slabs of rock in all shapes and sizes.  Some are laying flat like tables and some are jutting up in defiance of gravity.

There is also wildlife to be seen.  Birds were all along the trail today, including a redbreasted sapsucker feeding her baby woodpeckers.  Also there were pikas!  Usually hear these little guys squeaking before I see them, but today their whistles must have been wet, as they were silent.  So adorable though!  Any hike I see a pika is a good hike.

The lookout itself is perched on the peak of Pilchuck with an amazing tumble of giant rock jutting out from under it.  You can walk all the way around the outside of it, and also (if it's unlocked) go in and read about the history of the tower and have a dry place to eat lunch.

The "view" behind me from the lookout

If you're hiking with dogs or very small children, you should be aware that the very last bit of bouldering up to the lookout ladder can be tricky and the ladder is not one that dogs can climb on their own.

I met a lot of friendly people on the trail today, and despite the weather enjoyed some heartbreakingly breathtakingly beautiful scenery.  Get out there and love this place we live!

Heather Lake 6-9-19

AppleWatch Stats:  5.2 miles RT (this includes walking all the way around the lake as well), 1209 ft of elevation gain.

I wanted to take the dogs with me today, so I chose a shorter hike with a bit of elevation for a decent workout.  Heather Lake is beautiful and I was hoping there would be wildflowers around it as well.  I got there early and there were no more than 10 cars in the lot.  As the recent WTA trip reports indicated, the potholes on the way to the trailhead were pretty gnarly.

Not far into the trail and I was glad the pups were on leash.  I heard some squeaking and started looking around and there were several newly fledged baby wrens of some type hopping around clumsily in the undergrowth.  They were tiny and cute and looked a little grumpy.

The trail up was pretty peaceful and I enjoyed familiar landmarks, like the large old growth stumps along the start of the trail, and the garden tree that is growing huckleberries and a small tree on its burls.

It was also quite muddy in places and Cedar and Luna were pretty grungy by the end of the hike.

The lake was also peaceful and sunny.  No snow remains around the lake, so you can walk all the way around.

Cedar, Luna and I enjoyed some trail snacks on top of a boulder overlooking the lake.  It was really relaxing and the temperature was perfect. Even Luna didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave.

The cliffs above the lake are still cascading with waterfalls from the snow melting higher up though.  It's so beautiful!

The wildflowers were just starting, and I heard frogs singing and pikas squeaking.  I glimpsed one, but couldn't get a photo of it.

Happy trails!

Goat Lake 06-02-19

AppleWatch Stats:  11.16 miles RT, 1767 ft of elevation gain.

What a beautiful sunny day to hike to a beautiful lake.  Apparently everyone else thought so too, and when I arrived at 8:30am the parking lot was already overflowing.  I was pretty surprised.

I really love this trail.  It can be done in like a loop, as the Upper and Lower Elliot Trails diverge shortly after the trail starts, and then rejoin a couple miles before the lake.  I like to go on Upper and return on Lower.  The Upper trail is a wider flatter trail, with groves of aspens and peek-a-boo views of the crags across the valley now and then.  The Lower trail is a narrow twisty undulating trail through the woods.  You can't go wrong with either.  Here and there you can see sections of boardwalk type planking from when this was a "paved" (with wood) road to a town and a hotel.

There are also numerous waterfalls along the trail. The biggest ones you have to leave the trail a very short distance for, but they are oh so worth it!

Today there were flowers everywhere.  The trillium were done and the bleeding hearts looked tired, but still - color everywhere.

bunchberry dogwood

beadruby

queen's cup

columbine

coral root

The lake itself, although many people were there, seemed quiet and peaceful.  Swallows were skimming the water's surface and water skeeters were skittering on top of it.  It was pretty idyllic.

I was joined by a friendly chipmunk for lunch.  No, I would never feed wildlife.  Looks like he just so happened to pack a mini PB&J too hehe.  In fact it was a nice day for a lot of small wildlife - although I didn't get a photo of all of them.

banana slug

yellow warbler

Get out into nature and soak it all in!