Mt. Baker/Artist Point full moon camping

With forecasted clear skies and recent fresh snow, the full moon and Mt. Baker were calling my name. I took my time getting there since I wanted to see the moon and not the sun! I started hiking at about 5pm and 22 degree, clear skies. Skinning was pretty straight forward and I was thankful that I packed light.

I found an awesome place to camp with a view of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker on the edge of a cliff. The moon was ridiculously bright and I was able to capture many photos. It’s really difficult to photograph the cold, clear night so the viewer may imagine themselves there. I think that everyone should see the mountains in the winter under a full moon though. It is pure serenity.

I was trying a new winter setup with the groundcloth, rainfly, 25 degree sleeping bag and an extra coat. I figured I could use the fly to keep off any wind and I’d have an extra coat if I got cold. I never got cold, but the wind picked up overnight and snow was being blown through the top vents in the fly and right on my face! Good morning. The rest of the system worked great and I was able to keep my load light and small.

In the morning, I packed up very leisurely, only quickening my efforts because of the icy wind and swirling snow. Some good instant coffee and oatmeal and I was all warmed up and ready for a day in the snow. The remainder of the day I spent wandering around Artist Point, photographing the snow formations and patterns. I had more ambitious skiing plans but I was happy to be on skis in the mountains and having time to photograph a beautiful place. Enjoy the photos!

 

Ballard Locks

I have a few days off so I thought I’d wander around the Ballard Locks for a while. The salmon have passed through, boating season is over and it was grey and cool which all made for a peaceful time. I was up taking some photos of the geese and I heard some splashing in the big lock. A year or two ago, I was alone with no camera by the same big lock when I saw a seal jump up on the lock gate and jump about 15 feet down! This time I had my camera and I knew exactly what the splashing was! Sure enough, a big seal jumped up and scooted across the gate and sent it! I was just in time! Pretty good day at the locks playing around with the new camera. Enjoy:) EE

 

Montana Thanksgiving road trip

A quick note about my trip to Montana for Thanksgiving.  I had the chance to stop on the way home and take a few photos.  It was pretty flat light in MT then the sun came out in time for the nothingness of central Washington.  Then the clouds again by Snoqualmie Pass.  I’ve added a few photos from the trip since I did find a cool spot near Cle Elum.  I’ll be posting more photos soon of more adventures!

 

New Camera!

I finally got a new camera!  I picked up a D80 after reading many reviews and not wanting to spend extra $ from a “new” camera.   I’m excited to begin posting photos again and start adding to Flickr.   I’m due for a new website this winter as well and I’m still researching some options.

Right now I’m looking at smugmug and I’ll probably still use Imagekind as well.  Stay tuned for some new photos and new adventures.  The Cascades have received over 180″ of snow in November and the skiing is on!!

EE

 

Mt. Baker Pow!

Skier at Mt. Baker 1943

Just a quick note.  Went to Mt. Baker on Wednesday for re-opening after 8 inches of rain.  Well, 2 feet of pow fell after the snow transition and it was DEEP.  Awesome riding most of the day until my legs couldn’t take any more.  I’m writing this two days later and I’m still sore.  What a good day!!!

On a different note, should be getting a camera soon!

 

Shred Alert ‘09-’10 at Mt. Baker!!!!

It’s begun.  The strong, southerly flow with a consistent 3000 foot snow level has been good to us this week.  Mt. Baker has a 70″ base in one week and the temps dropped to 23 as the sky cleared all to blue.

I tried going to Stevens on day one, but a 30″base just isn’t to inspiring for 3 days of skiing.  Especially when I knew that to the north, things were buried in white magic.  I decided to head home and get an early start for day two.

Driving up Highway 542, the snow became deeper and deeper as the narrow road climbed higher and higher.  Snowbanks at the parking lot were head high and all POW!  I skinned up Blueberry ridge with all the other smiling, snow covered people and managed to find some safe turns in the white out.  Two laps were enough to wake up the sleepy summer legs.  Knowing I was going out again the next day, I held off from skinning til I collapsed:)

I managed to get some new wax on the Big D’s in Glacier so day 3 was going to be nice.  I met up with Joel Wednesday night in the parking lot and we drank beer in the cold, clear night.  The meteor showers provided entertainment as more cold beer went down.  So perfect.

7am sunrise in the cold, clear sky was amazing.  The energy in the air was a welcomed sensation and winter had begun!  Skinned up, skied in the sun, again and again, then finished with a deep powder run down to the cars.  An opening day to the season I will never forget!!!!!  EE

 

Fish Lake for some snow!

Still no camera, so just words.  I went up to Fish Lake for my birthday to spend some time thinking and burning firewood.  There was a little snow on the ground near Salmon la Sac and by the time the tire tracks ended there was about 6 inches on the ground.  I kept driving a little further to a well liked spot, miles away from the nearest person.  The light snow had ended and the skies had begun to clear.  By night, it was 25 degrees with a half moon.  Brrrrr.  Luckily there is a lot of firewood there and I had enough beer to drink so all was good.

I’d never been to this area with any amount of snow and I was looking forward to it.  I’ve been there during green spring, colorful flowers in the summer, golds and ambers of the fall, now the white of the first snow.  It is such a beautiful place, so peaceful and a gateway to the wild.  Sometimes it is crowded, sometimes desolate.  Sometimes buggy, sometimes the air is still.  I love it there and I can’t wait to go back again.

The morning was overcast with a thin cirrus deck so sunrise was very brief.  The Cathedral and Mt. Daniels were briefly lit by the sun and looked like their tops were on fire.  Pretty dramatic against the dark blue morning skies.  I didn’t see any elk, although I heard them and saw there tracks roaming all over.  One of these times…..

 

No Camera!

My digital camera I use for my blog has died.  I saw it coming and it’s now in pieces in the trash.  So I may not have any photos for a while, but I’ll be sure to replace it soon.  Thinking of getting a D80 or similar, but gotta see how some other things fall into place first.  Stay tuned……

 

Park Butte and Mount Baker Wandering

With winter fast approaching, I wanted to get out for a possibly last weekend of wandering among the fall colors.  I’d been to the Mount Baker/Schreiber’s Meadow area before, but not in the fall.  Upon packing at the trailhead I’d realized I’d forgotten to bring extra fuel for my stove.  I had only enough to boil about one serving of water, if that.  So I figured I’d camp lower around trees to make a small fire to cook with.  As I climbed up near treeline, I met the final hiker in the area who informed me the lookout had a stove, gas and a bunk.  Better yet, there was nobody else on the trail so the lookout would be all mine for the night.

I reached the lookout in white out fog, wind and lowering clouds.  It was cold and there was about 6 inches of snow on the ground so I hurried inside.  Out of the wind and clouds, I looked around at the simple yet stocked lookout.  I learned that it is maintained by volunteers of the Skagit Alpine Club and was in relatively great shape.  It was built in 1932 and people have been coming for years to admire the views and lofty location.  Darkness was setting in and the fog was thickening along with the drizzle.  I only hoped the forecast for clearing was accurate!

Around midnight, the clouds began to break and within an hour or so Mt. Baker was in front of me under a nearly full moon.  I went back to sleep with the bright white light shining in all night and woke just in time for sunrise.  WOW, what a place to watch the day begin!  It was clear so sunrise wasn’t overly colorful, but still, a great view of Baker glowing under a small cloud cap.  I took many photos and drank two cups of coffee, sitting on the deck that overhangs the cliff below.  The wind had died so sitting in the sun was comfortable and the view was amazing.

As hikers appeared below, I packed up and got ready to leave.  I met a nice guy, Mark, at the lookout and talked about a great summer of hiking for a while before heading down.  I first stopped by the tarns on the side of the lookout for some great reflection photos of Baker and great views to the Cascades to the East.  Then it was time to slowly wander down, taking more photos as every turn the mountain rising above the fall colored meadows was strikingly beautiful.

I wandered slowly down the trail, being the last one up there and enjoyed a nice beer in the parking lot in the quiet, cold atmosphere.  It was a great trip and if that’s all I get until winter, then I’m happy:)  Enjoy the photos! EE

 

Golden Gate Bridge

My “vacation” to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge.  I’ve gone a few times, but the fog has obscured the view for the most part.  This time I caught it at sunset with clear skies and I loved it!  As touristy as it is, it’s beautiful.  I’d love to get across the bridge and up on the Marin Headlands for a photo back onto the city, but I think I need a car to get there.  Oh well, next time:)  Enjoy the photos!

 

San Francisco (night)

Just a few shots of SF at night, so far.  Since I have weird hours, I get to roam around at night a little.  It can be a little sketchy, so I stay close to the hotel for the most part.  I’ll be adding more to this one soon. Enjoy!

 

San Francisco

 

I have the amazing opportunity to work in San Francisco for 3 1/2 weeks!  When I’m not working I have plenty of free time to get out and explore this beautiful city.  There is so much to see and do, I don’t know how people only spend a few days here.  

Home:)

Upon arriving, I felt overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of a big, busy city.  Everything you could need or want is here and there are people doing everything everwhere.  Now that a few days have passed, I feel more comfortable in the city and know where I am for the most part.  Transportation is easy along the main routes, although I haven’t been on the BART or MUNI yet.  I have many plans, but lots of time that I’m not trying to fill up.  I like the idea of taking my time and going where I feel like instead of planning everthing out.  So, I’ll see where my travels take me and share the photos here.  Enjoy and come see this beautiful city!!

 

Pacific Crest Trail and White Pass

I was feeling good and wanted to go for a long hike so I chose to go to White Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail with hopes of flowers and views.  My first day consisted of hiking about 9 miles and gaining 4000 vertical feet en-route to White Pass.  The first section was fairly easy on a gradual uphill and went through thick forest and large trees.  The next section switchbacked 26 times and climbed to the PCT before heading to White Pass.

The huckleberries were thick and there was a cool breeze so the hiking was relatively easy, despite the 3000 foot gain.  Upon reaching treeline, the marmots greeted me and Logan with their piercing whistle.  Logan was very alert to their presence and even had the chance to greet one nose to nose around a bend in the trail!  White Pass had little water, but enough for a comfortable camp with only two other parties around.  The sunset consisted of  a dramatic show of pink and orange clouds surrounding Sloan Peak.

The morning brought dew, frost and clear skies.  After some blueberry/huckleberry oatmeal and tea I was ready to hit the trail.  I had another 18 miles or so to complete so an early start was necessary.  Most of the first part of the trail was familiar from my hike to Meander Meadows around the same time last year.  This year, however, felt like a different month with all the flowers dead and the leaves turning to shades of red and purple.

I reached Dishpan Gap around 2pm  and as I was drifting off for a quick power nap,  I saw a train of llamas approaching.  I spoke with the people leading them and they informed me it would be a steep 2 hour hike to my next destination, Blue Lake.  With that news I headed off for Blue Lake and after climbing up and over a steep notch, I reached the lake in a little under one hour.  The lake lives up to its name and was a great place to take a well deserved rest.

The trail from Blue Lake was fairly faint, leading through meadowy ridgetops and side hills.  It went on forever as I gazed south to Mt. Rainier and Sloan Peak.  The ridge was bone dry but the hiking was fairly level.  I finally reached the downhill only to be met with another uphill section to my disappointment.  The the real downhill began.  3000 feed of switchback decent brought me to the river and very close to the car.  I got out at 7:45 pm very tired and dirty.  Luckily I didn’t use bug spray once and only used sunscreen once so most of the dirtiness was dust and sweat.  I completed the 26 mile loop and had one of the best backpacking trips I’ve every had.  Enjoy the photos and I hope you get to White Pass!!

 

Leroy Creek Escape

I felt the need to get away from people so I headed East to Phelps Creek trail (Spider Meadow).  After arriving at the trail head and seeing 40+ cars, I decided instead to go for the Leroy Creek High Route. 

The first few miles along the Phelps Creek trail were gradual uphill and very easy.  The trail soon turned steep, heading along Leroy Creek and high up into the basin below 7 Fingered Jack and Mt. Maude.  The black flies added to the heat and dusty steep trail to make the hiking not so fun.  I veered off the trail and angled up along the open hillside to reach the basin where I was greeted by many whistling marmots!  Later in the evening I was also greeted by a curious deer.  Better that than a bear like back in Escondido!

I was far enough from Seattle that the stars came out in full force.  I could see the glow of the city far off but a majority of the moonless sky was filled with stars.  The morning was cool but the hot sun was aproaching fast so I headed uphill while the shade protected me.  I headed more or less straight up the basin towards a pass at 7700 ft.  The pass dropped steeply on the other side toward Big Creek and several small glaciers.  I headed out the ridge to a point that overlooked a small, beautiful lake with a panoramic view of Glacier Peak and surrounding mountains.  I could have stayed there for hours!  I made my way along the ridge to a point in the shade where Logan and I rested.  The horseflies had found me by this point and I must have killed 50 of them.  A quick snack and some water and I was off downhill again, back to camp, then back down the trail.

I managed to find a few huckleberries along the trail.  I would’ve stopped to pick extra but the flies and heat made me keep moving.  Overall this trip was eye opening to the massive peaks east of Glacier Peak and to the huge elevation gains necessary for great views.  I’ll be back for more when time allows since this was too far for a “weekend.”  Give yourself 3+ days!  Enjoy.

 

New Blog Design

I felt like changing up things a little and playing with a lighter theme.  I’m going to try this out for a while and see if I like it.  Hope you do!

 

Tunnel Creek, another rainy day hike:)

After taking a week off from hiking, I needed to get out again.  The rain’s been-a-fallin’ here again and it was actually nice to hike in the cool weather again.

My first plan was to go to Cady Ridge, but the Index River road was closed.  I drove over to the Beckler river road, but that had a sign informing of a closure 17 miles in.  I found out later that you could actually make it to the trailhead.  Instead, I chose another hike on a nearby road.  The dirt road looked like it doesn’t see much use so I decided to go for it.  The hike was uphill, but not too steep.  Then again, after Welcome Pass, trails seem a little flatter!

The bushes were dripping wet but I managed to somehow stay pretty dry on the way up.  In about 1 1/2 or 2 miles and 1400 vf, I reached Hope Lake.  It is small and in a nice forest setting.  It’s probably not the best swimming for people, but Logan sure didn’t mind!  The mosquitos were out despite the drizzle so I continued on north on the PCT.  I was getting tired from a sleepless night so I called it a day.  Overall, it was a nice hike and the huckleberries are starting to come out.   Enjoy the photos.  EE

 

2 Hot Days in the Pacific Northwest

 

With hiking season in full swing, I was thrown a curve ball with the 90+ degree heat.  Where do you go when it’s that hot? Answer:

Baker Lake from the North side is not the answer!  I attempted a backpack along the Baker Lake Trail, starting from the Baker River trailhead.  Signs warned to not cross the creek about 1 1/2 mile in, but I figured I’d try.  There were severs storms in the area the day before, making everything damp and knocking down huge trees everywhere.  The heat only made the humidity worse.  I hiked the trail, crossed the bridge and made it to the closure to find a bridge that crossed the creek completely wiped out.  It was later in the evening and the brush was thick, the bugs were thicker, and there was no lake to be seen so I headed back.  I decided to attempt fording the Baker River, which felt like an adventure, and returned to the car in a short time.

 

The next day I headed to Dorothy Lake, knowing it was only 2 miles of hiking to a huge lake.  Couldn’t be that bad, especially compared to the day before.  The trail has seen so much use that most of it has been replaced by a trail of wooden steps and boardwalks.  You hardly are on real trail, but the walking is easy!  Half way in I reached a bridge and a great clear pool.  The creek comes down the valley like a giant series of waterslides and is cool to see.  A little bit further and climbing up a steeper trail the lake appears in no time.  I wandered to the shore so Logan could get some water, then made my way further along the shore.  I found a perfect little beach/cove to hang out in for the day.  The water was great, not too cold, and crystal clear.  The bugs were thick so I made frequent dips.

On the way out I stopped again at the large pool by the bridge and took a few dives.  So refreshing!!  Overall, a great hot weather hike, easy to get to, and if you don’t mind a crowd it is a nice stroll.

 

Mt. Baker Camping and Hiking

We went to Highway 542 for some good North Cascade fun!

We had 2 1/2 days off so we headed up to the Mt. Baker area for some car camping, hiking, and relaxing.  The first day we spent some time by the Nooksack River and soaked our feet in the icy blue, glacier melt water.  It looks like the color of the aptly named Gatorade “Glacier Freeze.”  Logan had cut her paw and was limping a little so we headed up the road to find a camp spot.  We stayed at the Silver Fir campground, on the river just before the highway heads up to Mount Baker Ski Area.  We ususally stay away from campgrounds since the idea of paying to camp is foriegn to me and because Logan is a noisy and wandering beast!

After picking our spot, we headed up to Artist Point and Heather Meadows.  It was Sunday so there were still alot of people around.  It was OK though since there is a lot of room to wander around and stare at the beauty.  It was sunny, except for the clouds over Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker.  There were a few mosquitos, but nothing too bad.

We ate dinner at the picnic area at Heather Meadows since we wanted to stay there for sunset.  We had an awesome pasta and chicken dinner with a delicious Sessions Black Lager and headed back up to Artist Point.  By this time only 5 cars remained and we wandered around in the evening light.  Our last stop was at Picture Lake for the classic sunset reflection view of Mt. Shuksan.  I don’t care if it’s on every calendar or postcard you’ve ever seen, its there for a reason.  It is beautiful.

The next morning, we had some eggs and coffee and woke up from our great, undisturbed sleep.  We have had a few bad camping experiences lately (sickness, bear, thunderstorm) so this was a welcomed rest.  Speaking of welcome, we headed to Welcome Pass. 

We had no idea what to expect since we picked the hike from the gazateer, not a map. Well, we got a good dose of butt kick for a few hours!  I leaned later that there are 72 switchbacks and some descriptions are “some sections your heels never touch the trail” and “in a land of tough accents, this trail makes other look tame.”  Nice to know.  We made it in 2 hours, climing roughly 2500 feet in 2 miles.  At the pass, the forest ends immediately and the meadows and ridgeline trail begins!

We wandered down the trail another mile or so and the views of the North Cascades opened up before us.  The flowers were amazing, the green so vivid, and the sky so deep!  We saw only one person in the distance and he was going down, so we had this amazing place to ourselves.  The photos can kind of show the beauty, but with most of the views into the sun, photos are a little understating.  One last note, the black flies were out of control!!!  It was miserable on the ascent, despite two doses of bug spray.  They just didn’t care.  Enjoy the photos and better yet, GO THERE!! EE

 

Fish Lake Meadow

We went up to Fish Lake (Tucquala Lake) for an overnight relaxing weekend. 

It was sunny and windy after crossing over Snoqualmie Pass at 49 degrees!  Is it July?  Sitting in the warm sun with a cold PBR was the name of the game for a few hours, but then the clouds came in and brought the cold air with it.  We camped with the rainfly on but nothing fell as we went to bed. 

About 2am I woke to flashes of lighting and then the thunder came in. Boom, Krack, Boom!!  We ran from the tent to the car since sitting in a tent in the middle of a meadow in a lighting storm didn’t seem logical!  The storm seemed to pass as the rain pounded the tent then let up.  We were just about to fall asleep and KRACK!!! followed by an immediate BOOM!  The lightening hit less than 2 seconds away and we once again ran to the car. Needless to say we are both tired from an eventful night.  Thankfully the car was near by or it would have been much scarier for us and for Logan.

In the morning, the clouds had lowered and the wind picked up again.  We were both in hats and coats all morning and kept looking at each other thinking, “is it July?”  The flowers were amazing and I haven’t been there with the flowers in full bloom.  Meadows full of color!  The wind made photographing them very difficult, especially with the low light.

All in all, a relaxing weekend with wild northwest weather in one of my favorite places.  Enjoy the photos!

 

Escondido Lake and Pete Lake Loop

I’ve wanted to do this loop for a long time and I finally got around to it this week.  It starts at Cooper Lake, goes to Pete Lake, up near Waptus Pass and Escondido Lake, then to the PCT and back down to Pete Lake.  I’m not sure of the mileage but it was a long way and beautiful! 

I was lucky and didn’t get attacked by mosquitos or other biting bugs the cascades are notorious for.  I didn’t even get rained on, yet another notorious trait!  I had the place to my self once leaving Pete Lake and didn’t see anyone until I returned to Pete Lake again.  It was so nice to hike miles of trail alone and uninterrupted.  Just Logan and I:)

The main event this weekend was the camping at Escondido Lake.  I was sitting by the fire after dinner and had just watched it go out as the sky darkened.  I looked out into the meadow and remember thinking, “Huh, that looks like a small buffalo!” In about 1/2 second, my adrenaline hit my brain and I realized that thing was a bear!  It was no more than 100 yards away and grazing with his head down.  It didn’t see me yet or know of my presence.  I slowly put Logan on a leash and grabbed the largest thing I could find, my metal tripod.  It wasn’t much, but better than nothing.  After a minute, I’d determined the bear was alone and without cubs so instead of backing away, I made my presence known.  This worked as big papa bolted off across the meadow.

By this time my heart was pounding and my legs were shaking.  Logan didn’t see the bear but she could tell something was up.  After a few minutes, I decided to stay camped in the same spot and not attempt to hike 2 miles further in the dark with a startled bear in the area.  I moved my food, hung it high and built a large fire.  I went to bed more nervous than ever! 

A long hike followed the next day and the photos sum it up well.  I’d only add that I cant wait to do this hike again in clear weather!  The views are amazing!  Enjoy the photos.