I've already written a little about our recent night spent at Lizard Lakes, but the nocturnal drama aside, it was a great trip. While it was overcast and a little chilly as we left the trailhead, it wasn't raining - a first for us hiking this trail! I'd chosen the trail to Lily & Lizard Lakes for this trip for several reasons, but mostly I looked forward to exploring the network of trails more. I also hoped we'd get to enjoy a great sunset from nearby Oyster Dome! For a few years now, I've had a picture in my head of a dreamy solstice backpacking trip, with long days to explore a rocky alpine wonderland and a phenomenal sunset. With so much snow still left in the mountains, an alpine adventure wasn't an option, but this seemed like an excellent alternative.
Read moreLife: Week 25
This was an interesting week. It started off cool and rainy, but by the weekend, the sun was blazing, and the temperature neared 100°! Spring ended with our typical June gloom, but having actual summer weather on the summer solstice was unexpected. Just in time for the weekend, I also caught some 24 hour bug, leaving me achy and congested and keeping me indoors for most of the weekend. By Sunday afternoon I was feeling back to myself, so we did manage to go for a long HOT walk in the watershed. With weather as hot as we've had over the past couple days, the blissful shade of wooded trails is what I crave. I'm definitely relieved the weather has cooled off for now. Hopefully we I luck out and we don't have too many more sweltering summer days this year. 75° is plenty warm for Seattle summers!
Read moreLife: Week 24
We had an adventure of a week! Our weekdays were mostly quiet and sunny, but I had grand plans for the weekend. I wanted to get out for at least one backpacking trip this spring, and with the summer solstice fast approaching, this weekend was it. During the week, our evenings were spent sorting through our gear and getting everything packed an ready for a early start on Saturday. For the first trip of the year, especially with so much snow lingering in the mountains, we decided to stick to a familiar lowland area - Blanchard Mountain. We've hiked the trail to Lily & Lizard Lakes twice, and knew it was a placed we wanted to camp.
We had a lovely time Saturday, getting an early start so we had plenty plenty of time to relax and explore. We spent the evening sharing a campfire with a couple and solo hiker camping near us at Lizard Lake, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and swapping stories. The excitement didn't start until late that night
Read moreLife: Week 23
Washington has a bad reputation for being perpetually rainy, but all that rain keeps our lush green forests happy! I often take our forests for granted, and have even been known to complain about hiking through the "boring trees." Every so often, I'm reminded just how lovely a quiet walk in the woods can be, and hiking to and from our work site for another trail work party with the Washington Trails Association on Saturday gave me the reminder I needed. The phenomenal views from a viewpoint the crew leader shared with the group certainly didn't hurt either! Since the trail we spent the day working is currently closed while new and improved trails to the summit are being built, we had the view all to ourselves, unheard of for any trail off I-90. Once again, we had a great time, mostly digging holes then filling them up again and getting filthy in the process.
Read moreLife: Week 22
While there's still piles of snow in the mountains, it's feeling a lot more like summer around Puget Sound. The days are long and sun filled, and spring blooms have begun to fade into berries and leafy canopies of green. One a walk this week, we found the first ripe salmonberries of the year. I've never liked salmonberries, but as a sign of all the berries to follow, they were certainly a happy sight! I've always loved the Powerline Trail at this time of year, when the grass and brambles lining the path are well into their spring growth spurt, shooting up and out in a riot of green. Soon, the city will come through for their mowing and pruning, but for now there are places where the grass is taller than me (not a challenge at my height!) giving the trail the feel of a wild suburban jungle.
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