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!

Lake Serene 09-15-2018

I was lamenting the weekend's forecast for rain, and a friend of mine said, "Tina, you live in the northwest - get your rain gear on and hike anyway!"  I don't mind a shower, just don't love a downpour out there, so I hoped for the best today and headed out with my adventure dogs to Lake Serene.

On the way through Sultan I saw a coyote trotting down the railroad tracks.  Last time I saw a coyote on the way to the trail head, it was one of the best hikes ever, so I took this as a good portent.

I got out to the trailhead before 8:30am and there were plenty of parking spaces left.  The trees were dripping, but the sky wasn't, and mist was rising here and there amongst the hills, so it was really a beautiful northwest fall day.  The first mile and a half or so of this hike, while climbing slightly, is flat compared to the rest.  This hike was closed all summer due to logging in the area - you could see where they had been from the trail.

We skipped the stairs to the waterfall viewing area and headed straight for the lake.  The mossy trees were so green and beautiful.

Although we skipped the waterfall overview, there is still a lower view of the falls that we enjoyed.  Also there were other falls further up the trail.

I had forgotten how many stairs were on this trail! And boulders and stone steps!  Up, up, up!  Cedar and Luna sprung up them like they were both puppies on springs.  Lucky things with four legs instead of two.

Once we cleared the stair stepper switchbacks through the trees, we could enjoy misty views of the peaks surrounding us, as well as the fall colors of the devils club and vine maple leaves.

The lake was a lovely turquoise color and we enjoyed watching the rain start to come down again and dimple the surface as we ate our lunch.

On the way back down, at the base of the falls again, I met a couple people with two dogs and the husky really seemed especially curious and pretty and soft.  She sat between two trees as we walked up and looked like some dog out of a story book.  She reminded me of a white husky I had met on this trail 7 yrs ago who stepped out of the mist at a switchback looking like a white wolf, but also very sweet.  I chatted for a moment and then went on.  They later passed me, and when they did the man seemed familiar too.  I didn't think I would catch up, but they stopped to talk to a ranger and I did catch up then and asked the man if he had a white husky on that trail back in 2011 - he had given me advice for my attempt at climbing Mount Rainier.  He said, "That was Misty!"  It WAS him.  Such a small world.  We talked about hiking for a bit, and then we all went our separate ways.  I don't know what it is about his dogs, but they are enchanting.
The ranger said I was the 105th person she had counted that day, and it was only about 1pm.

Barclay Lake 09-07-2018

I took most of the day off on Friday to get to dog camp on Lake Wenatchee, so I had time for a hike on the way.  Not wanting to wear the dogs or myself out before camp, I chose a pretty mild hike - Barclay Lake.  I had not done this one before. 

The lake is about 2 miles from the trailhead, and the trail is fairly flat, with just a few little dips and climbs as it wends through the little valley carved by its outlet stream.  Barclay Creek itself was actually dry when we did this hike.  Here is Cedar and Luna looking each way for the water.

The beginning of the trail starts out in that thick conifer forest that can spring up after logging, where the trees are so thick and competitive that there is not enough light for undergrowth.  Once through that you get into a much more natural feeling and beautiful forest.  A nice mix of trees, including some nice big firs and hemlock, as well as a healthy jungle of northwest undergrowth - different ferns, mosses, huckleberry, and some devils club as well.  The devils club has berries on, and some of the leaves are starting to turn their orangy autumn color.  There are a lot of cool boulders along this trail, and a lot of trees that grew with their roots around boulders or nurse logs and now have interesting spaces underneath - it looked super fun for kids!

Not sure what this plant is

Along the way there are peek-a-boo views of the towering rock faces that preside over the valley.  I think they are Merchant, Gunn, and I believe the huge one in my lake photo is Baring Mountain.

We had this trail almost entirely to ourselves, passing two ladies on our way in as they were hiking out, and then just two parties on our way out!  It was so peaceful and the sun shining through the trees and lighting the craggy peaks above made me really glad I chose this hike. 

When we got to Barclay Lake we could see why the stream was dry - the lake is too low to reach its outlet right now.  It is still lovely, with the sun sparkling on the water.  There is a lot of beach so you can really walk around it, and a lot of logs to pick for nice lunch spots as well.  The peaks tower up above you, and it seems so wild and peaceful that it is pretty amazing that it is just a few miles off the highway. 

On our way back out, a baby mouse tumbled out of the little embankment on one side of the trail and landed directly in front of Cedar and Luna!  Both of them were VERY interested in it, but I held them back to get this photo, and then I was going to scoop it up and try to get it near to where I thought it had come from.  Poor little thing was all eyes and head with a tail, and seemed stunned.  When I reached close, it scuttled off the path on the downhill side though - so I hope it found its way home.

Get out on this trail!  If you have kids, take your time and let then climb and explore along the way.  Find your inner child and climb a few boulders as well!  : )