Thursday, July 22, 2010

Heliotrope Ridge

See that wall of ice behind my fellow hikers? That's Coleman Glacier! Today 14 Senior Trailblazers hiked up three miles or so, close to 2,000 feet in elevation, to the base of Mt. Baker and this incredible glacier on Heliotrope Ridge. The weather was overcast but mostly dry as we made our way through numerous stream crossings (some of which were pretty scary, actually) and up to this glacier. Here's what Ken Wilcox's book says about this hike:
This popular route for hikers and climbers alike offers one of the best places to get up close and personal with a river of ice, namely the Coleman Glacier. For just moderate effort, the scenic rewards are plenty: ancient forest, wildflowers, mountain streams and waterfalls, the Coleman and Roosevelt Glaciers, Mt. Baker, and the Black Buttes.
Well, we couldn't see Mt. Baker or the Black Buttes because we were pretty much inside a cloud for most of the hike, but it made the hiking temperature pretty comfy, especially when compared with last week's nine miles in the sun with twice the elevation gain. Other than the stream crossings, which I found to be a bit daunting, it was a wonderful day! And to share it with thirteen of my most favorite people, well, I do feel quite re-created.
On the trail, I spied some plants with what looked like diamonds right in the middle, when I realized it was the dew and rain congregating right there, giving the impression of jewels. (Click any picture to enlarge so you can get the full effect.) Every time I stopped, even briefly, to take a picture, I was in danger of being left behind by my friends, who have been here before, wanting to get a glimpse of that glacier.
Here's a good picture showing the kinds of decisions we made today. See the tracks through that snowfield? Well, nobody went that way, being pretty sure that the snow underneath has melted enough to make it possible to fall through, and that would be very unpleasant. We either crossed above it or below the snow bridge, hopping across the rocks, with some of us getting our feet wet.
Once we gained the ridge, however, and the glacier was in full view, the fog began to close in! Before long, we had no view of anything, not even of each other, so most of us stopped to have lunch while the braver and more adventurous (all men, I noticed) hiked on a bit farther in the fog. While we sat and enjoyed our break, the fog was so thick that I began to worry about how we would get back down.
After a short while, however, the fog began to lift a little. I got this picture of flowers in the foreground, a waterfall, and the edge of the fog in the background. This beautiful and almost desolate landscape felt so much less so with my companions around me, all seniors, all people I trust and enjoy being out there with. On the way back to the trailhead, we heard a screech and people pointed out to me our visitor: a marmot!
This guy was posing, I swear! Look at the size of him (click to enlarge). He was looking right at me and I think wondering about these two-legged interlopers who keep showing up, looking, and leaving. All in all, it was a wonderful day, and I'm happy to be home after a shower, a glass of wine, and my dinner beside me! I hope you all had as good a day as I had.
:-)

15 comments:

  1. Really beautiful, what a stunning place to tramp ;)

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  2. My favorite part was seeing a marmot. I also enjoyed the 'diamonds' on the plants. It was all so beautiful. Sometimes God's creatures have prettier places to live than we do. We humans do a good job messing ours up.

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  3. Wow DJ, the place looks fantastic, I can see new and interesting things that I can capture. I know you enjoyed a lot, take care.

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  4. Wow! I love the glacier with it's blue ice! And the flowers, first growth after snow melt! And the Marmot!

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  5. The photos for this hike are by far my favorite. What an awesome place. I love the diamonds in the leaves....I saw that they looked like diamonds before I read the caption...great photo. Did you get to see and smell any heliotrope? That's my favorite summer flower. The fragrance pops out toward evening. Hope you're feeling better.

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  6. Wow, that's a pretty amazing hike. It seems like quite a difference from what ya'll normally do. I bet you enjoyed that. I love the marmot; he looks like a rather kindly old fellow.

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  7. What a great hike and I can’t believe that you can go and see a glacier so close to your place. The first glacier I saw was last year in Alaska (and I have not written a post on it yet…) How fortunate you are to live in such beautiful surroundings. I think if you are close to nature and love animals then you know happiness.

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  8. You had a wonderful day it seems. The scenery looks incredible and just the kind of thing I love--dramatic topography.

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  9. There was just something about this post, DJann...the gentle beauty of the area tinged with a bit of danger was so evident, it felt warm, but gave a chill at the same time!

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  10. Those pictures today are particularly wonderful, I thought. The glacier is a miracle of nature. I love marmots, so cute and cuddly looking but with big teeth! and the flora and fauna is so beautiful. The water droplets on the green leaves (they look like lupin leaves) have the same diamond effect as the water droplets on my alchemila mollis and I often admire those. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
    Blessings, Star

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  11. Thanks for taking us along DJan! I can almost taste the fresh air. Places like these make me feel that I can't open my eyes wide enough. So much to take in.

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  12. What a wonderful place for a hike, I always find glaciers very awe inspiring. Great photos DJan, the scenery is great even with the fog. Love the shot of the marmot.

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  13. The glacier is awesome. Love the wildflower burst of color. Am a big fan of fog except when on the side of a mountain. :D Mr. Marmot definitely is a ham.

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  14. Wonderful! I so envy your stamina. Most of my hikes are pretty flat. You're able to get up there and see amazing things.

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  15. Stunning wildflowers and snow in the same photo! Yes, I believe you captured dew on Lupines..in about two weeks I bet they will be in full bloom..wouldn't that be something to see! What a wonderful hike to a glacier!
    I am curious about the name Helitrope Ridge..there is a flower called a Helitrope..do they grow there? They smell awesome..like vanilla..I can only imagine how they would smell mixed with mountain air :)

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