Thursday, October 22, 2009

Short, sweet, Swift Creek


Twelve of us Seniors headed up I-5 and onto the North Cascades Highway to start our trek up the Swift Creek Trail. I should have read this before we headed out (from Hiking Whatcom County by Ken Wilcox):
Despite some recent trail work, portions are difficult, overgrown, and hard to follow. A foot log with cable handline was in place at Rainbow Creek in mid-2006, but a critical bridge was missing at Swift Creek, two miles above Rainbow. Experienced hikers may be able to ford at lower water in mid- to late summer. Check conditions beforehand.
Well, you guessed it: when we got to Swift Creek, there was no way to continue, so we stopped and had an early lunch at Swift Creek and then headed back. One of our hikers had done quite a bit of work on the trail this summer, so he knew where the trail actually veered from the older trail to a more reasonable one. Here's our lunch spot:
 
A total of about 5 miles round trip. With time to spare, we decided to hike up to the natural hot springs and found a man in the springs (not very hot, if you ask me) who said he had been there all day and was cleaning out the bottom. We then headed back to the cars. After some discussion, we decided to try and find the trail to Rainbow Falls, which started out at a very obviously overgrown trail. Some decided to skip this excitment, while the rest (some of us were afraid we would miss a good picture) bushwhacked through brush and fallen logs for about a half-mile before turning around and heading back down, all without a view of the falls. All in all, I'm counting the day as somewhere near 7 miles. I didn't re-injure my leg and was careful when bushwhacking that nothing hit the left shin. This picture was taken at the "hot" spring.
 
Although we had no view from the trail, Swift Creek was truly awesome, and the clouds and the colors in the trees were also very lovely. The trail winds through mossy and very beautiful country. Sometimes the ground sprang back at me; it was like walking on a mattress. But the best views were from the parking lot!

At this time of year, the trees on the hillside look almost like they are on fire. Although they are a little past their peak, I was so happy to get this picture before we headed home. At least I only missed one week and will be there for the last hike in the High Country next Thursday.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. Glad you made it! It's probably best your trail was cut short... gives your leg a chance to get ready for the long one!

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  2. The scenery is awesome, such wonderful tree colors.
    Sunny :)

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  3. Hot springs! I do love to take a dip in hot springs! Don't you know that it can take away body aches and cure rheumatism? I have learned that from my Grandmother, she really likes it there.

    AL

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  4. I like your new header look. Sure hope that guy had clothes on in the springs. Looks more like he was skinny dipping instead of cleaning rocks.

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  5. Hi Rae, no, no clothes on that guy. There were 12 of us, and he didn't have ANY modesty, which is how I found out. But he WAS hauling buckets of stuff off the bottom. You'll see dozens of new headers as I play with the new software. This picture was also taken yesterday.

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  6. Thanks for sharing a great day of hiking. Sometimes you have more fun when things don't go as planned.

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  7. Thank you for sharing my joy!!!! I had to stop by to thank you personally!!!! And oh, what a delight!!!! I wish I could have joined you for your beautiful hike yesterday!!!! Oh, so gorgeous!!! I have a special place in my heart for the West coast, having grown up there!!! There is nothing like the rugged beauty of the mountains there!!!! This is a wonderful post! I have thoroughly enjoyed your day vicariously!!! BTW, I LOVE your header photo...it's just spectacular!! ~Janine XO

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  8. I love the new layout. I haven't done anything with mine in a long while because I've forgotten how (and haven't had the time to fiddle with it).
    I'm always fascinated by the folks who have no modesty; I've apparently gotten their share.
    I'm glad you were able to get out and about again. I know it has to be frustrating to miss out on a hike at this gorgeous time of year, particularly as active as you so obviously are. Ya'll are down to only one more hike for the season? What are you going to do in the interim?

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  9. Five miles would have been just fine with me. Seven is maybe next year! Lovely photos. Beautiful fall color.

    I had to laugh - my first thought on the picture of the man in the hot springs was - which bottom he was cleaning? :-O Sorry. Uncalled for, I know.

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  10. That hot springs looks just wonderful, surrounded by those fall colors. Beautiful.

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  11. I also like your new header, the scene is beautiful.
    I thought that guy was naked. Don't know why, but I just knew it. ha

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  12. Seen one naked man, ya seen them all..:)
    The new header photo is beautiful.
    I am so glad you got to go hiking this week, even if it didn't end up to be a perfect day, and I am glad your shin is better! :)

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  13. Wow you live in the most beautiful country. It is great to see it through your eyes and not just some old travel brochure. You inspire me each time to keep up my walking and adventures to find new off the beat places. Thanks Hen as we say in Glasgow!

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  14. "...and found a man in the springs (not very hot, if you ask me)..."
    Which? The man or the springs?

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  15. Yea! Glad to see you are back in business. The scenery is fabulous.

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  16. I had forgotten about that part of "Castaway!" But I will tell you that my 14 year old insisted we check on the tether ball one rainy afternoon here after I finished reading aloud to him my post...LOL...funny how we identify...Thanks for your very gracious and kind words...and for your friendship!!!! It means so much to me!!! ~Janine XO

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  17. The trees really do look as if they are on fire, don't they. Here in England, we have had some glorious colours too. I think due to the dry weather for the last four weeks.
    Blessings, Star

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  18. I would have been bushwhacking right beside you, don't want to miss a thing. Even if you can't get far it never hurts to try. Those trees are so pretty, they really do look like they are on fire.

    I was reading this post yesterday when some friends showed up at the door, sorry about that.

    Judy

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