Thursday, March 14, 2024

Heart Lake to Sugarloaf

Today's Relaxed Trailblazers

There were only six of us today, on a beautiful sunny day, making the drive to Anacortes (a 45-minute trip) for a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain from Heart Lake. I've done this many times, usually all the way to the top of Mt Erie as well, but since this is the "relaxed" group, we only navigated around six miles and around a thousand+ feet up and down.

Heart Lake through the trees

We circumnavigated Heart Lake before heading up to Sugarloaf. I have never before done this route through the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL). I was happy to be out and enjoying the delightful weather and basically well-maintained trails. Without Owen and his map to guide us, we would have been lost in no time.

Signs well camouflaged

Owen stopped ofen to check his map with the numbers on the signs, to make sure we didn't make any wrong turns. (We did have to backtrack a short distance once.) It was mostly gentle ups and downs until we started our climb to Sugarloaf, which was very steep and seemed like it went on forever. It only seemed that way.

Magnificent old cedar tree

On the way, we encountered many beautiful old trees like this one. Don stood in front to give you an idea of its size. As we hiked, the sun made its way through the forest and onto the trail. Hiking uphill and having sun made us finally able to shed some of our clothing.

The view from Sugarloaf

You can see some of the San Juan islands from Sugarloaf. It is a really beautiful place to visit. We stopped here for almost an hour to enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading back. Owen took us back on a different route than the one we took as we ascended. We were able to look out at the view as we ate our lunch, and this was pretty spectacular. I asked Don for a picture of me to cap off the day's enjoyment, and he obliged.

Me on Sugarloaf

Now that I am home, after having had such a good day, I can kick back in my easy chair and take it nice and slow for the rest of the day. Thanks to everyone who helped make today such a success!

:-)

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Soggy but satisfying

Today's walk started out wet

Twelve Senior Trailblazers set out from the Senior Center this morning to walk to Irongate and back, giving us almost seven miles to cover. It was relatively flat, and rainy to begin with, but it got much drier after awhile. That's our leader Barb in the center, in the pink poncho getup. We decided to forgo our scheduled trip to Canada, because we could turn around at any time if the weather deteriorated. It did get much better, though, as we walked through Cornwall Park and city streets.

Yes, it was soggy but we still had fun

The most colorful things we saw on today's hike were our outfits. I liked seeing Persis in her day-glo yellow and Barb in pink, making for an early Easter scene. Lots of red, too. It did stop raining finally, and we even saw a ray of sun now and then as we made our way back to the Senior Center.

Pretty daffodils

There are signs everywhere of spring on the way, such as these daffodils in a yard we passed by. And flowering trees look to be beautiful and profuse in another week, or two at the latest.

Taco Tuesday

After it was all over, some of us decided to head to a local taco restaurant, which features $1- and $1.50 dollar tacos. Don took this picture of us chowing down. I didn't go last month on a similar outing, but trust me, I won't make that mistake again. They were delicious and cheap, and a good way for us to enjoy each other's company for a bit longer. Another fine way to spend a less-than-perfect weather day. 

:-)

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Madrone Crest from Chuckanut

Huckleberry viewpoint

 I never know how to pronounce the name of this hike. Some people always go with "Madrona" rather than the way it's spelled, "Madrone." In any event, eight of us Senior Trailblazers started out at the North Chuckanut trailhead and went up the Hemlock trail until we got to the turnoff for Huckleberry Point. Although we had a bit of snow two days ago, the higher we climbed, the more snow we ran into, even today. It was still quite cool, but the skies were almost completely clear, meaning overnight it turned cold.

Persis and Kim on the trail

As usual, Persis was hiking in her skirt, with long woolies underneath to help keep her warm. We hiked the entire length of the Huckleberry trail, and then joined the Salal trail that would take us to Madrone Crest.

On our way, enjoying the white stuff

As we climbed, it got snowier and more slow going, but the main trail was pretty clear, as you can see here. We meandered upwards until we got to the Crest.

Our lunch spot

We were happy to sit for awhile and have a nice lunch, considering that there was no wind and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a break from hiking. We had a little sun now and then, but with all the snow it was never exactly warm.  In that container in John's hand, he had chocolate-covered blueberries and tasty cookies, which I availed myself of. Most of us tried the blueberries, which are incredibly addictive!

Sterling and rider

We ran into a horse and rider on our way back. I didn't notice if it's a girl or a boy, but the rider is definitely female. She showed us that Sterling was wearing what looked like leather boots, which she said gives the horse more grip and comfort than regular shoes. She even had spikes if needed to add to the leather "sandals." A beautiful horse and very friendly, too. Beth had made the comment earlier that she had never seen any horses on these trails, and just like magic, Sterling appeared.

Snow decorations

We do live in a beautiful part of the country, and we are so lucky to have places within a short distance to hike in during the winter months. We go up to the High Country during the summer, but there's something awfully nice about just getting in our cars and being a short drive away from home, rather than more than an hour's drive each way.

Beth at trail junctions

Our leader today, Beth, took us up the Huckleberry trail and back down via the Salal and Lower Salal to our parking lot. We covered somewhere around seven and eight miles in total, and around 1,700 feet up and down. Not an easy hike, but certainly doable for all of us today. Since I was hurting last Tuesday from an easier hike, I took some ibuprofen before starting today, and it turned out just fine. I feel like I could go even farther if necessary. But I'm certainly glad to be sitting in a comfy chair right now, with my feet up, with nowhere I need to go. Satisfied and happy for the moment, with a smile and a glass of wine to enjoy.

:-)

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Fairhaven to Teddy Bear Cove

Pat on the Interurban trail

 Although it's kind of hard to see in this picture, all those branches are covered with frost as we began our hike today. (It's just regular hoarfrost.) When I woke to cold temperatures this morning, I knew I'd need to bundle up for the day's Happy Wanderers hike. Only twelve of us ventured out; yesterday we had about an inch of snow and today it was clear and, for us, quite cold (26°F). But the crisp air and sun made it feel warmer. We started from the Fairhaven tennis courts and went through the Hundred Acre Woods that brought us to the Interurban. Our final destination would be to Teddy Bear Cove.

Hair ice

Someone spied a bit of hair ice on a piece of wood. I've seen this before and know it's pretty rare and only appears after it's been really wet, saturating the forest and then turning cold. It's apparently caused by a fungus, which allows the moisture to extrude from the wood and stay in hair-like form for an extended period. It's also called ice wool or frost beard. The link will tell you all you might want to know about this pretty ice form.

Bridge opened once again

This bridge was felled by a tree falling across it three years ago, and it took them that long to rebuild it and open it once again to hikers. We went up the trail on the other side until we reached the Interurban trail again. From there, we made our way to Teddy Bear Cove. We crossed the Chuckanut Highway to reach it. The Cove was once known as a nude beach, but never formally acknowledged. I found this information online:

Historically, Teddy Bear Cove was once known as the area’s nude beach. Although never officially designated as such, you are now more likely to see families and college students appreciating the calm waters and spectacular views. 

Michael, one of the hikers

This sign is at the beginning of the short trip to the beach. Although it's not far, under a quarter of a mile, it's steep and I found it intimidating. Michael was very helpful to me and allowed me to hold onto his arm as I went down steps that had no railing. I only whined a little.

At the beach

Nobody was willing to take off their clothes and brave the cold water, but we would not have been the first to do so, according to the folklore that surrounds the Cove.

Teddy Bear Cove

It was quite a wonderful way to spend a sunny day in the winter. We ended up going somewhere around six miles in total, with an elevation gain around 1,000 feet in all. (I'm just guessing at the total, but from the way my hips felt, I'd guess that was about right.) I am quite happy to be home, looking out at the sunshine, and glad to have been part of the day's Senior Trailblazers excursion. 

:-)

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Unexpectedly nice

Today's group of six (I took the picture)

The Relaxed Group of Senior Trailblazers were scheduled to drive to Anacortes to have a nice walk along the water, but since the forecast was for more rain, we decided instead to keep it close to home. Our leader, Owen (second from left), suggested that we go to Lake Padden and tackle the back trails, so that's what we did. I have to say that, although it was rather cold, the rain never materialized. We had more than an inch overnight, however, and it was muddy and even a little slippery. Fortunately for me, I didn't fall face first into the mud so for me it was a good day.

Indian plum beginning to bloom!

Today is Leap Day, that day which only comes around once every four years. That means tomorrow is the first day of March (rather than today), and I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see that the buds are coming out on bushes, and that even some early trees are in bloom. A week from Sunday we will change back to Dayight Saving Time, until such time in the future when we will dispense with this silly tradition. Not this year, unfortunately, but time will instead be bringing us plenty of smiles as we watch the arrival of spring.

Can you find the heron?

We walked up the gorge, and the first thing we saw was a heron in a tree. If you follow that diagonal branch from the lower left upwards, you'll see our friend. The gorge leads to a particular spot, which is the place where people over the years have left little offerings of shells, mementos for those who have left us, and various trinkets for others to enjoy. I saw this old typewriter and various additions, which reminded me of when I first learned to type. It was on a similar contraption.

Wonder if it still works

The typewriter is well protected by a tiger and a magic rock, so I wouldn't worry about it. But it sure did bring back memories. When you learned on one of these things, your fingers had to get strong enough to strike the keys with symmetry, or you'd leave the little fingers unable to add their letters to words properly. Once I gradulated to an electric typewriter, my fingers no longer needed strength and it took no time at all for me to "forget" how to type on one of these things.

Lake Padden

We then walked back to the trail around the lake, and the heron was still there in the tree, I suppose still waiting for breakfast to show up. We walked the long way around, and although we only went four miles in total, it was a very good day. By the time we got to the lake, we even  had little peeks of sunshine brightening our day. We decided to call it a day, and Owen invited us to his home for some coffee before we returned to the Senior Center. 

The sun didn't stick around for long, and we are supposed to get more rain, but it sure was nice for it to give us such a wonderful outing, so we are all happy and content.

:-)

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Neighborhood walk

Little Squalicum Beach 

I joined the Senior Trailblazers on a walk that covers part of my own usual daily walk. Thirteen of us gathered at the parking lot in Cornwall Park, just down the street from the Rose Garden (that I pass every day that when I walk home from the coffee shop). We then mandered around the park for awhile, before crossing a busy street and heading off for Little Squalicum Park. 

We were originally scheduled to travel across the border into Canada, but because the temperature was quite chilly with snow possible overnight, Barb, our leader, decided instead to keep it local. Everyone was looking pretty puffy in their down jackets, including me. I was happy because I know the area well, and even if we got caught in snow, it would be easy for me to get back home. Although it snowed in areas nearby, we only had a covering of graupel on the lawns and streets. What is graupel, you ask? Well, according to NOAA,
Graupel are soft, small pellets formed when supercooled water droplets (at a temperature below 32°F) freeze onto a snow crystal, a process called riming. If the riming is particularly intense, the rimed snow crystal can grow to an appreciable size, but remain less than 0.2 inches.

It looks like little pellets of ice and vaguely like hail, but smaller. When I set out of the house this morning, I was unsure whether it was safe to drive, because it was pretty thick. So, I took the bus to the coffee shop and walked to the Senior Center to join the others and carpooled. 

The sun came out in full force, however, and the skies (as you can see in the picture) were mostly clear, nothing like I thought we'd have today. Nobody was unhappy about having chosen to stay local, though. We covered somewhere around five miles, I think, but I left a little early and made my way back home before they re-entered the park. I saw plenty of fat buds on bushes and the occasional tree coming into early blossom, but my pictures weren't all that good; it seems many of them had my shadow right in the middle, ruining the scene. I should pay more attention to things like that.

At least I remembered to post something today. Now that I've gotten my exercise and a good lunch, I think I'll rummage around in some of the books I've downloaded and find something to enjoy. It's also my guy's birthday today, but he doesn't want anything special, he tells me. We all have those inconvenient reminders of the continuing passage of time, whether we do anything to commemorate the event or not. I am wishing him a very happy birthday and fabulous year ahead!

:-)

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve

The Six (and me who took the picture)

Seven Senior Trailblazers with Group 2 went to the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve this morning to hike the Rufus Creek trail, mostly. Our leader, Beth, is at the map in this picture, pointing out our options. 

"We'll go this way up and another way down"

But first, we took a short side trail to the Waterfall, which is quite full at the moment, and very pretty indeed. This is not far from the parking lot where we started, and it was worth a look before starting our uphill climb.

A mile-long loop from the main trail

It had plenty of water in it, and after we gazed at it for awhile, we returned to the Rufus trail to head up to the Overlook. The weather was better than forecast, with just a few sprinkles and then a little sunshine.

Plenty of good signage

I have to say that it felt a lot longer going up the trail for around a thousand feet of elevation gain. I'm not sure whether knowing it's "only" another mile and a half is a good thing, because it seemed twice as far to me. But it was probably right; knowing the distance always makes me pay closer attention to how I'm feeling. 

Sunshine peeking through the trees

Although it wasn't all that hard of a hike, I did struggle a bit until we got to the viewpoint, which was 3.5 miles from the start of our hike. It seemed like more, but maybe that is because I didn't go out much last week and at my age, it takes hardly any time at all to lose momentum. 

Not much of a view any more

We got to the bench and made ourselves comfy for a nice lunch. We had an interesting conversation about the best way to make a PB&J sandwich. I learned several new techniques and learned that every method has an upside. And then we went back down to the parking lot, taking the Laila June trail instead of the Rufus to return. I think it might be a bit shorter, but we ended up showing around eight miles on our trackers. And we did have fun, too. Another great day with the Trailblazers!

Oh, and I apologize to anyone who was anxiously awaiting my Tuesday post. I forgot, pure and simple. There'll be more of these oopsies in my future, I think. Once to get to a certain age, it's expected!

:-)