Today, ten of the Senior Trailblazers decided, instead of taking an easy hike in town to Teddy Bear Cove, we would head up to the High Country to the Mt. Baker Ski Area and snowshoe up to Artist Point, a two-mile hike up more than 1,000 feet. And that's what we did. I hadn't been on snowshoes for decades, so I borrowed a pair from our leader. They have changed a lot since I was using them so many years ago, and after getting them on and clomping our way across the frozen parking lot, we headed up from the ski area to Artist Point. It's a beautiful hike, and the day was gorgeous: high clouds, a little cold, but otherwise very exciting and scenic.
One problem was that when we started out, the snow was what is affectionately known as "Cascade cement," with us crunching across ice disguised as snow, but as we gained altitude, the snow got better and better. We also had two types of birds that visited us during our lunch break, many "camp robbers" or gray jays, and a huge raven. We also saw, in the distance, a bald eagle circling. (He never got very close, but was so beautiful, circling high above us.) The jays will take food right out of your hands, or land on your head trying to grab it before it makes it to your mouth.
After lunch, we made our way back down the mountain, slipped and slid on the ice until we could get into our cars and make our way home. As soon as I walked in the door, I downloaded all my pictures, tired and happy, and feel very much like I will be excited to go into the High Country again on snowshoes, weather permitting. And here's the beautiful raven, who watched us with interest but was definitely not eating out of our hands!
:-)
Wow! Looks like a fun, beautiful day! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThat does look like a wonderful time!! Great pictures!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible backdrop for pictures, the jay taking food is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI really envy you and your fantastic hikes.
Sunny :)
Wow, that looks like fun. Exhausting, but fun.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures! I have been wanting to try snowshoeing - did you like it?
ReplyDeletemagical! i love that you are embracing the snow when i have been unable to get to my office for 4 days because england cannot cope with the storms.
ReplyDeleteWow. Such high country and no doubt cold country. I love the bird taking the food photo. Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteYou should write a book about your adventures. Who says that retirement means sitting in front of the television? Not you!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the calories you burn on your beautiful hikes.
What an awesome picture. With the magestic mountains in the background and a bird stealing a snack. Your blog is such a pleasure to visit DJan.
ReplyDeleteLOVED that picture of the bird eating right out of his hand!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous mountain too.
You are such an adventurer..I admire your ability to still climb mountains (on snowshoes yet!)
Great photos DJan..it looks like fun to me..I am going stir crazy...maybe I need some snowshoes! We don't have the grey jays here..only their blue cousins..maybe it is the cold that turns them blue! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful adventure, the mountains are gorgeous this time of the year. I love the photo of the gray jay, I haven't seen them in a long time. The raven is beautiful another bird, obnoxious as they can be, that I miss.
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly more extreme location than on previous photos. The scenery is spectacular but I loved the bird best!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Star
These may be some of your best photos! The scenery is phenomenal! Jordan is sitting next to me pointing out the snow:)
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