This is me yesterday, June 22, with three friends starting our snowshoe adventure up to Skyline Divide. We never made it to the top, but some people who are sweltering in the heat might get cooled off a little by looking at all that snow.
We hiked up from the trailhead about a mile before deciding to strap on the snowshoes we had wisely added to our gear. I still don't have any, but I borrowed Al's spare set. That's Al in the orange, with Marjan and Frank busily strapping on their snowshoes.
Al suggested to the Senior Trailblazers that we do this hike on Tuesday before the trip up to Church Mountain on Thursday. I won't be able to go on that one, since I've got a dentist appointment right in the middle of the day, so I was happy to be able to join three others on Tuesday. It is a fairly short hike (around two miles) to the summit of Skyline Divide, but we lost the trail in the deep snow and tried to make our way through the steep brush. While I was hanging onto a steep slope wondering how in the world I would be able to get back down, my water bottle came loose and crashed back down into the snow. I decided to join it, since clinging onto the side of a mountain with strange things strapped to my feet was NOT my idea of fun. Plus the weather had not cleared and all that work would not have given us a view.
As we began our descent from the snow, of course the weather began to clear a little. This is a view of Church Mountain across the valley, which the Trailblazers will attempt without me tomorrow. As you can see, they will not be able to get to the summit there either, since the snow is still quite deep. But it's sure beautiful. And we did have a great day, it didn't rain, even if the sun didn't come out in the Cascades until around 4:00 pm.
The flowers are beginning to come out in the High Country, though, as you can see from this beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike, on our way back down the road. It's a different world here, since you can go from sunshine and summer into winter in less than an hour. I love this place!
:-)
Absolutely fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are great and the scenery must be worth the hike. It sounds hard to go from summer to winter and back to summer within a matter of hours. I like to ski, but snowshoes would make me feel like a klutz. Do they respond to digging in the edges? It must be like a tennis racket on your feet.
ReplyDeleteI share your love for the Pacific Northwest. It still seems strange to me that often the 'hottest' part of day is after 4:00 p.m.
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the dentist. I'm amazed you made an appointment on one of your mountain climbing days.
My flowers are just beginning to show some promise. I also just saw a Monarch butterfly but never got a picture.I really like your photograph of Church Mountain. It has, no doubt, seen lots of history.
ReplyDeleteSnowshoes!*? Can't even imagine this right now...but thanks for the cooling post.
ReplyDeleteI think your photos look great...more so without the sun. Sometimes the sun just washes out the lush greens in my photos. My favorite time to take photos and walk in my garden are on overcast days. Everything just pops!
Hope the dentist goes easy on ya!
Man! You have some beautiful pics there, DJan. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures ! It's easy to see why you are inspired to spend your days up on the trails and in the mountains, just spectacular views, they take my breath away...
ReplyDeleteHope the dentist is gentle ;)
WOW!!! What a variety you have with your fabulous geography!! So fun!!! And such stunning views! I'm so glad you are such an amazing photographer because I get to enjoy all this vicariously!! Hope your dental appointment is painless! ;-) Love you, Janine XO
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing the snow - as hot as it is here, I needed that!
ReplyDeleteHard to think of using snowshoes now when it is so warm. ha
ReplyDeleteWe have had a lot of rain here lately, which we are not used to having so much of.
Nice pics! It's pretty cool here in Hawaii so I don't have the a/c on. Good luck with the dentist. I imagine there won't be pain. All he'll do is fit and shave the crown so the bite is right.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, snow in June.....are you sure you don't live somewhere near me in Alberta?
ReplyDeleteHope your dental appointment goes well....Hugs
Snowshoes in June might seem odd to some but then I have a good idea of where you were hiking. The view of Church Mountain is spectacular. That alone would be worth clinging to the side of a mountain wearing snowshoes.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! A huge contrast to here in UK - we have waited long and hard for the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a contrast, but that is part of the life in the PNW. Beautiful view of that mountain..it looks like there is lots of snow still up there:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a big difference in such a short time span. I imagine the contrast is more striking in person, though your pictures speak volumes. They look like they were taken on two separate hikes! That picture of the mountain is awesome. It is quite refreshing for someone sitting in the humid mid-90's.
ReplyDeleteCan one live out a retirement dream any better than this? Church mountain is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteYou live in such a beautiful area and it is good that you can walk and see the beauties of nature. While in California I walked quite a bit but by evening I could barely move because of my bad knee. I did not walk as much as you did though. I wish my knee had been patched up when the injury was fresh, now it’s too late. Now I walk with you, virtually.
ReplyDeleteI usually cool off by jumping in the pool or the Med which haven't quite warmed up yet... but this will nicely for an indoor cooling! Hard to believe in June!!!
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