Marmot Pass 7-27-13

This morning Adventure Dog and I headed out from my mom's to a hike in the Olympics for a change.  It has been a really nice sunny summer, so we got an early start to avoid a lot of people on the trail and try to get most of the uphill part done before it got too hot.  When we got there around 8:15 the parking lot was already full, and it was already hot and sunny by the time we got out of the treeline.  This hike, however, was enchanting. 
The first couple miles went along the Quilcene River through the forest.  There were some lovely big Douglas firs, and a lot of twin flowers, bunchberry dogwood and other small flowers growing along the trail.  Also, lower down, there were ripe huckleberries.

 

 

There were also quite a few of the flowers that don't use chlorophyll growing in the forest.  I'm not sure what they all are, maybe the large one is coral root?

There were a lot of pretty little streams cutting across the trail, which were nice on Cedar's feet.  As it got warmer I poured water over him until he was soaked and much cooler.  It was nice having the sound of the river or the smaller tributaries as we hiked.

Despite the trail being fairly populated it ended up adding to the day rather than detracting.  Cedar and I had the trail to ourselves sometimes and at other times we stopped to chat with different people.  Everyone was happy to be out there enjoying the gorgeous day and battling to reach the top under the blazing sun.  The trail climbed steadily, but once out of the treeline, it became steeper and hotter.  This was a trivial thing next to the grandeur of the views and the stunning color of all the wildflowers.  We took a lot of breaks to let Cedar have a drink and rest.  We both do better hiking on cloudy days, but when it's sunny and clear it's perfect for these hikes with views!

And then we were finally at the glorious top!  Elevation around 6000 feet, and a view of the surrounding ranges and the Puget Sound. 

I really wanted to see marmots on Marmot Pass, and I was not let down!  There were furry marmots far across the meadow and a big fat one sunning himself on a rock on the way back down the trail.  They are so cute.

On the way back down I saw a bald eagle circling around one of the big rocky outcroppings on the ridge above the trail. 

 

Happy Trails!

Cutthroat Pass and Cutthroat Lake 7-20-13

Adventure Dog and I spent the weekend camping up on Highway 20.  I love this mountain highway!  It is so rugged and majestic and beautiful.  The craggy peaks' alluring wildness changes with the movement of the sun, sometimes illuminated in brightness, sometimes dark and foreboding, always completely enthralling.  Even just driving along it will take your breath away, but if you want to stretch your legs, the trails are well-marked, well-maintained and all that I saw had a decent parking lot and privy.
We stayed at Lone Fir Campground, which I've stayed at before, and early Saturday morning headed for Cutthroat Pass via the Cutthroat Lake Trail.  If you're doing this one on a warm day, going early is the key. It is a steady climb and the rocks soak up the rays of the sun and radiate them back at you.  The first cool thing we found along this trail was an old trough.  I'm not sure what cattle would eat up here.. I didn't see a lot of grasses, just brush, wildflowers, pines and larch.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were quite a few streams still burbling along from the melting snow above.  The rock were tinted pink, orange and peach, so the streams took on a rosy look also.

 As I hiked along the trail I enjoyed a view of the surrounding mountains.

 

Another important thing for this hike in the summer is plenty of water.  I brought 2 liters and there were also streams for Cedar, but between the two of us we used all the water, and ran out with just a little under 2 miles left to go on our way back to the car.

 

I'm not sure what this cairn signified, if anything, but I added a stone on the way back down.

 

And after toiling along, taking breaks every time I saw Cedar's tail start to droop, my legs starting to feel the climb and feeling some of my first and worst hiking blisters, we were at the top and among the jagged stone peaks and patches of bright white snow.

 

The Pacific Crest Trail runs across this pass, and you can see how much respect for signs the wind and snow have.  I only saw one person all the way up and that was just as we reached the top and he was heading off along the PCT with a larger pack than mine.

 

This is how Cedar celebrated getting to the top.

 

 The surrounding mountain ridges.  There was just one jagged line after another, all layered and stretching on into the horizon.

 

We ate our lunch on this flat rock and just soaked in the awesomeness of where we were.  At least I did.  Once Adventure Dog knew the sandwich was gone, he went off and stood in the snow again.

 

There is Cutthroat Lake wayyyyy down there which we hiked to on our way back down.

 

Here it is.  I was really hoping to get in and swim at this point, but the edges were deep mud and reeds.  I waded in the outlet stream instead.  This was a worthy hike!