Thursday, April 1, 2010

Lost in the Chuckanuts

Eleven hardy Senior Trailblazers carpooled to the Clayton Beach parking lot, with the rain spitting and making some of us silently question our sanity. We were trying a new hike in the Fragrance Lake/Lost Lake area in the Chuckanuts (where we have been before), but intending to hike up an old road to a new loop trail. Pat (one of our fearless leaders) showed up this morning to beg off, having picked up a bug of some sort, and Al got directions from Pat about the location of today's hike. This first picture (click any to enlarge) shows what Bellingham Bay looked like when we got a look at it. It did give us some hope that the day would not be spent completely in the rain. We optimists could see some blue sky in that picture!
But frankly, this is what we spent the first couple of hours looking at: mist, fog, rain. The picture is a bit out of focus, but I think it actually adds a realistic dimension to it. Not to mention that all the rain we've been having lately made the trail more than a little muddy. Al kept checking his GPS and assuring us that we were on the right track, but by the time we reached Lost Lake, he told us that somehow we had missed the turnoff to the trail we were looking for. Having been to Lost Lake before, he told us that we could either turn around after lunch and head back the way we had just been, or we could take the trail around the lake and head back that way. We chose to go around, making our total distance 11.5 miles and up and down almost 3,000 feet in elevation. No wonder I'm so tired.
As you can see from this lunch picture (sorry to Sally for getting her with chipmunk cheeks), we still had no sun at noon time. Carol and Norm in the background show that we weren't exactly warm, either. Bundled up, happy to have lunch with a letup in the rain, we started back on the very muddy path to the other side of Lost Lake. Once in a while I was totally enchanted with the moss on the trees. Some of you know I don't waste any time getting out the old camera. When I lived in Colorado, I never imagined forests like we have here.
I didn't even know back then that moss grows on living trees, but it does. As you can see, there's no way to tell which direction is north by looking at the way the moss grows. (You know the old saw that you can tell the direction of south and north by looking at the way the moss grows? I don't think so. It's everywhere.) But just after I took this picture, we had reached the downhill part of our trip, and lo and behold: the sun came out! We saw people heading up from the parking lot in shorts and t-shirts, while we still had on most of our raingear.
Sally and Gary are on the home stretch as we headed back to the trailhead and our cars. Although it's a short drive from the parking lot to the Senior Center, by the time we reached our morning starting point, I could barely climb out of Al's car. Now, an hour later, I have downloaded my pictures, taken a very welcome hot shower, poured myself a glass of wine, and am writing to my favorite buddies about the day's hike! I think I'll sleep well tonight.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. What an adventure. I admire your grit!

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  2. Perhaps it's called Lost Lake for a reason. I too love the moss. The scenery is beautiful and I'm not nearly as tired as you.

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  3. You were too busy in Colorado working to see the moss! That's the problem with working... there's money but no time... Nice pictures!

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  4. What a wonderful day you had! Over eleven miles??? ELEVEN???? Wow...you should be so proud.
    And to be one with nature that gorgeous....I can't think of anything more splendid...
    hey, with all that mist and fog in all those hikes, you won't have any trouble entering my April Photo contest! ha

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  5. I'm sitting here shaking my head in wonder !
    Eleven miles ? It would take me a week to walk eleven miles, I'm so impressed.
    You see some absolutely gorgeous scenery when you take these hikes into the mountains, so I know it is well worth the effort.
    Do you carry a hand-held GPS ?
    Just wondering.

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  6. I had heard that the old 'north side of the tree' thing was a falsehood. Sounds like a perfect ending to slightly-less-than-perfect day.

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  7. I think I walked about a mile today. I can't imagine how exhausted I'd be if I'd gone as far as you. I have to say that the scenery on my walk wasn't nearly as beautiful as the Lost Lake area. I really do love the pictures of the moss; I loved them last time as well:)

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  8. I wish you could type the sounds and smells that you encounter along your hike. It must be fabulous to not only see all that scenery, but also to be able to smell the earth and hear all the wildlife. The Northwest must be a glorious place to live.

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  9. Don't think I have your stamina! I got tired walking in Ueno Zoo in Tokyo and had to sit and rest quite frequently. Hope our tour of Hong Kong is not as strenuous.

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  10. Nice post and now I know about the chipmunk cheeks. LOL

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  11. Another great hiking adventure. It reminds me of Costa Rica's cloud forest.

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  12. You earned that wine! I agree with you about the forests in the Pacific Northwest. I just love them, including the moss.

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  13. I like your first picture very much – all those shades of blue – it reminds me of your hat. The photo in the fog is good too. I wish we had some fog here sometimes – it seems we go from mild winter to summer without going through spring. Today was 85 degrees in the shade. That is why it is hard to take hikes around here in summer, too hot and too humid, although I bet you would go hiking if you lived here – you are a pro.

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  14. Again I'm impressed at your fortitude! And yes, I too go gaga over moss.

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  15. It sounds like the hike turned into a great adventure. It was very nice of Mother Nature to finally give you a break in the afternoon.

    I love all the moss on your side of the Cascades, I do miss it sometimes. I really like the photo you used for Joan's photo contest, it is gorgeous.

    Have a great Easter weekend.
    Judy

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  16. Oh, DJan!!! So much to LOVE here today!!! Your new background photo is spectacular!!! I Don't think your blog could be any more beautiful!!! It is so perfect! I am in awe!!! And 11 miles!! Wow! What a hike! And such gorgeous sites along the way...I am enchanted by the moss and mist...what a magical morning despite the rain! Loved this!! Think I'll settle in for that glass of wine with you, and enjoy your wonderful photos a bit longer...Have a wonderful Easter! Love, Janine XO

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  17. Wow...as usual your photos are wonderful...I loved the ones with the mist....

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  18. I think 'Lost Lake' must be aptly named! I love the misty pictures and the moss growing on the living trees. I have seen that near where I live in England and I agree with you; it is fascinating. Seems something old worldly about it, doesn't it.
    I like the mountainous backcloth very much.
    Blessings, Star

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