North Cascades National Park Hiking Trip, part 1

Jeff and I officially survived our trip to the North Cascades National Park! We hiked the Copper Ridge Trail Loop, which was spectacular. I had seen several write-ups about it in Backpacker Magazine, and new that that was the trail I wanted to walk.

Thankfully Jeff was up for the trip, as it would have been a long and lonely trip by myself. As it was, Jeff and I spent six days/five nights in the great outdoors. Our first day was a cloudy/foggy day that spit rain on us as we hiked up and over Hannegan Pass. A mile later we set up our camp at Boundary Camp just in time for the rain to hit us in earnest. Our site, while not optimal for hammock tents, was pretty optimal to block the rain. The rain stopped well before we went to bed, and that was the last of the rain until we were literally feet away from the car on the way out.

The next morning we had a quick breakfast (with some time to enjoy the views of Hannegan Pass and the little valley we were camping in), and broke camp well before our fellow hikers were rousing.

The hike from Boundary Camp to Egg Lake, our next camp site (really for the next two nights) was a short 3.5 mile hike, but it had a good bit of elevation change. We got in around noon, so we set up our tents, enjoyed a light lunch, and promptly took some naps. We woke up and decided to give Egg Lake a swim. At 5200 ft. in elevation, Egg Lake is a sub-alpine jewel. In the sun it was an iridescent green/blue with a bit of rusty red around the edges. It was also (almost) snow-melt cold, which made for a very cold swim. A very short swim too! Technically "swim" is a bit strong, "dip" might be more appropriate. But hey, now I can say I've swum in an alpine lake!

Later that day I walked around the rim surrounding the lake looking for some interesting photos. There were some flowers up there that I thought were pretty, and it looks down on our camp site, almost dead center. Our spot was up on a cliff overlooking a valley headed to Canada, with a snow-melt river on one side and the Egg Lake runoff on the other. I don't think there was a better spot along the entire Copper Ridge Trail goes as far as views and comfortable breezes go.

The skies stayed clear and blue that first evening, with Mt. Shuksan looming (the giant in the middle) in the background. If you look closely, you'll see Mt. Baker in there too. 

This final photo (if it zooms in good you'll see what I'm talking about) was from the same spot as the flower photo above, just zoomed in. That camp site was awesome!

I'll share some more photos in my next post, but this should do for now. Thanks to Jeff for giving up some time with your family to come explore the rugged hinterlands of Washington with me. And thanks to Catherine for taking on the kids while we hiked through the wilderness.

Cheers,

Marc

Clowning around

Yesterday was a date night, and Catherine let me pick. So I picked a brewpub in Olympia that I wanted to try some of their beer (delicious!). Oh, and the garlic parmesan pub fries were really good too!

We had a wedding to go to today up by the Airport. Afterwards a lady came around with a goody basket of toys for the kids. Ian picked a kaleidoscope, which I eventually placed in front of my iPhone camera lens for some solid fun.

First it was Catherine's turn, but that photo didn't turn out too well. Then Ian, and then Leah.

I managed to get Catherine in front of the camera again, and I'm glad she did.

Once we got home I decided to take some photos of the kids all dressed up. Only they weren't really in the mood for that.

I got one semi-nice one of Ian smiling, but it is a (forced) school class photo smile, so I thought I'd put up the other Ian. The one who can't wait to get his shower and climb into his Captain America pajamas (we match!).

Leah is always willing to smile for the camera. Today was no different. Cheers,

Marc

Wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park

I had heard that the wildflowers were finally at peak season, so I packed up the kids to do some camping and wildflower hunting. We tried the northeast corner of the park, so basically as far from home as humanly possible. It is quite the trek to get there, but ultimately well worth it. We scored a nice campsite at White River, after passing another site that was completely full. We grabbed the first available free site that we found, set up our tents, and then went about exploring the area.

First we headed to Tipsoo Lake on the far eastern edge of the park. We had a nice hike around the lake, which was basically a scouting hike for the following morning. It was fairly cloudy over by Rainier, but sunny where we were. After that we made our way to Sunrise, the highest point by road in the park. The kids did their Junior Ranger stuff, and along the way we hiked about a mile out to Shadow Lake. The northwest corner of the lake was covered in wildflowers, which made the place look and smell wonderful. I had to get a shot of the kids along the trail.

I had originally meant to spend sunset at Sunrise (don't get me started), but clouds were moving in and actually forming overhead, so I figured the odds of a pretty sunset were low. So down the mountain we drove so I could make dinner. There was a bit of firewood left over at our site from the previous occupants, so Ian, Leah, and I set up our chairs around the fire and watched some Ranger TV. The kids loved it!

Next morning we were up early so I could go shoot some photos at Tipsoo Lake. I figured there would be a couple of other hardy souls up that early, but I was not prepared for the horde of photographers that were up there! I still had a nice time, and the kids relaxed in the car while I traipsed along the trails through the meadows looking for some nice compositions. The weather cooperated with clear skies, meaning excellent views of Yakima Peak and Mt. Rainier in the distance.

From there we drove to Paradise and checked out the flowers there. I had a nice time, but the kids weren't enjoying the uphill walks at elevation. I cut the trip short by a bit and we made our way home. Almost everything is washed and put away back in its place. It was a nice trip, but as always it is nice to come home. Cheers,

Marc

Sequim Lavender Festival 2013

We took Nancy and Christina up to Sequim for this year's Lavender Festival, and it was the best weather we'd had yet. I'm still sifting through my photos, so these will have to do.

We made our way to our rental home in Sequim on Friday night, and woke up plenty early to explore on Saturday. The second place we stopped had a nice u-pick (with a military deal that Catherine couldn't pass up!). She picked her basket and then I put her basket on a bench in the lavender field for some photos. This has potential.

We decided to catch sunset up on Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. Unfortunately Ian got sick which made the time there not terribly enjoyable. The sunset was still pretty, and plenty of deer were walking around to include a little baby fawn still in spots. 

The next day we explored another lavender farm at Leah's request. We were all so glad that she wanted to go because this was the prettiest show by far. They had a couple of acres of lavender, but also plenty of wild flowers and poppies that really contrasted nicely with the lavender.

Whoever owned the farm thought of everything, and included these giant colorful hats for people to walk into the fields and get their photos taken with. So I lined up 3 generations and took some photos. Enjoy!

Marc

Royal Basin, Olympic National Park

This past weekend Catherine, Nancy, and the kids took a trip to Oregon for a quilt show. I made my way to the Olympic National Park (once again), this time to the beautiful northeast corner - Royal Basin.

Royal Basin requires a reservation that can only be made up to 30 days in advance. Sites go fast as this is a very popular part of the park. It is rugged, remote, drop dead gorgeous, and relatively easy to get to. Well, the trailhead anyways.

Its a seven mile hike almost entirely uphill the entire way with the steepest parts right at the end before you make the Royal Lake basin. I went with some friends from work, and it took us almost five hours to hike up. I had come down with a nasty cold on Friday which I'm sure held me back, but goodness that hike thoroughly beat me down (on the way out too)!

We got to our campsite ahead of the horde, so we had the pick for the second best spot around the lake. We set up camp and I took a nice little nap. We then hiked around a bit to explore the place, to include some meadows which were not yet a peak color, and a big waterfall. Then it was back to camp for some dinner. After that I wandered some more for some sunset photos, but due to the towering mountains all around us I didn't really get anything good.

So it was off to bed for an early sunrise (again, nothing great photographically). It was very peaceful up there, I was the only one really wandering about at that hour, but with the mist/fog rising off of the lake (second photo from the top) and the resident fearless deer wandering around with me, it was a nice time.

This weekend Christina comes in and we will all head to Sequim for the Lavender Festival. I'll be sure to swing by Hurricane Ridge and check out the wildflowers too, but I'm looking forward to this trip. Have a wonderful day everybody!

Marc

Happy Belated Fourth of July!

So now you all know it's not just birthdays that I'm late for!

We had some company come stay with us for the Fourth of July - some friends from our Cincinnati days. It was great to catch up and hear how they've been getting along. They toured the Olympic National Park and kayaked in the San Juans prior to their arrival, and got in in time for some dinner which Catherine made. We then loaded up the cars and made our way to Joint Base Lewis-McChord for some fireworks, which were very nice.

The next day (the lesser known sibling holiday to the Fourth - Cinco de Julio ;-) we took the trip down to Mount St. Helens. The drive was scary only because it was super cloudy/foggy and at one point my car thermometer read 50 F with almost 2000 vertical feet to climb before we arrived at our destination. Lucky for us, the clouds broke up and let in some sunshine while we were at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.

It was breezy and cool, but when the sun came out it was very comfortable. John and Mitch wanted to get in a real hike, so we left Marion, Catherine, and the kids to enjoy the Junior Ranger Program. I would have brought the kids if it weren't for this one section of the trail that gets narrow and steep. Trust me, the photo above doesn't do it justice!

The hike out to see Spirit Lake was nice. Cool temperatures, warm sun - hard to beat! The distances out there are deceiving too. In the photo above, I took this not too far from where Spirit Lake first comes largely viewable (180 degrees behind camera). Off in the distance is the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Three miles distant.

We made really good time on the way back. It felt good to step it out a little bit. Shortly before we made it back to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mt. St. Helens decided to come out from behind her block of clouds and grace us with her presence. It was a very nice way to finish the hike.

Thanks John, Marion, and Mitch for a very nice trip! I know Ian and Leah were thrilled to have some new ears to chat at, and I enjoyed the company on the hike. Happy Independence Day everybody,

Marc

More foolin' around

We had to escape the house this evening to get out of the heat. So I grabbed my camera and flash and snapped some photos of Leah.

Then Ian wanted in on the action, though he didn't both smile and look at the camera.

So then Catherine and Leah both wanted a photo of the whole family. So I grabbed my tripod and got on the business end of the camera.

After many takes and retakes, this was the best of the bunch. Enjoy summer!

Marc