Today, twenty Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center to carpool up the Mt. Baker Highway to begin our hike to Yellow Aster Butte. We had so many that we took five cars to the trailhead. Last year, almost exactly a year ago, we experienced a hailstorm on our way back down, and I wrote about it
here. Today, however, the bugs were out in force but nowhere near as as bad as last year, and we had no hail. What we did have, instead, is haze from smoke, both from fires in British Columbia and also Russia, where smoke is entering the stratosphere and heading over here. You can see a slight haze in this first picture (click to enlarge), but it doesn't detract from the scenery.
In this picture, however, you can barely see our beautiful Mt. Baker because of the smoke and haze. It was really a little depressing. But the hike, up over three miles and 2,000 feet, was only tolerable because of my companions. Think of it: hiking in the heat, bugs assaulting you every few seconds, sweat dripping into your eyes, your aerobic limit almost at the limit. But I wasn't alone, I had nineteen others with me, most of whom where in the same boat as me.
One of my favorite couples: Linda and Ward, whom I affectionately refer to as the Cleavers, at our lunch spot, with a beautiful view even if a little hazy. We stopped and ate, and I felt better immediately. Some of the more ambitious of the group (only five out of twenty and I wasn't one) decided to hike up to the butte, another mile and maybe 900 feet of elevation. It looked nice, but not THAT nice.
That's the butte up there. As you can see, it was a bit of a hike from my location. I loved the clouds so I took this picture, but I had no desire to go any further. Instead, I took pictures of flowers and saw these incredible swirly things that reminded me of something from Dr. Seuss. Anybody know what they are?
So, all in all, it was a good day, around 7 miles total, especially sitting here eating my wonderful dinner prepared by Smart Guy, after a shower which washed away the bug spray, sunscreen, and sweat... and sipping a glass of wine. Life's good.
:-)
That's good to hear that you had a very exciting day despite of the haze and the bugs and the sweat. I too is sometimes worried about those haze which I inhale every morning when I run but there were lucky days that I feel that everything is so clear even the view of the lover mountains from a distant is so panoramic. Eat tight and sleep tight.
ReplyDeleteWish I appreciated wine the way you do! Give me champagne or beer any day.
ReplyDeleteSorry the air was so polluted, Jan.
Am I the only one who's surprised that smoke from Russia is causing a haze in Washington? Perhaps I'm revealing my ignorance.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right-those flowers look like they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book! I've never seen those before. Perhaps it was a hazy, buggy day, but the pictures are still beautiful.
The haze is probably a bit better than last year's hail storm. The scenery over your way is always gorgeous no matter what the weather.
ReplyDeleteWe have the haze too, mostly from area fires but probably some is sneaking over the Cascades.
Smart girl to know when enough is enough. What you did was more than most people our age do anyway. I don't know what those swirly flowers are if indeed they are flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds like a very rough hike. The scenery is incredible. Interesting about the smokey haze.
ReplyDeletenice. love your posts on your hikes and yes you have to remember you have to have the strength to make it back....my boys forget that sometimes...off to the lake with them today so hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how small our world has gotten, smoke from Russia in Washington State. Looks like a lovely hike though.
ReplyDeleteAfter searching my flower books, I think this is the seed head for the Western Anemone. The plant is also known as mountain pasqueflower, tow-head baby, old man of the mountains, dishmop, or mouse-on-a-stick. I think I like the last one best! The seed heads last until the snow falls again.
ReplyDeleteLinda
The pictures from your hikes are always great. Your area seems to have many trails to hike. How late in the year will they be available to hike before the winter weather sets in? Do you continue hiking into the winter?
ReplyDeleteThe views are worth a bit of discomfort. They are stunning. However, I can put myself in your shoes and feel the sweat dripping into my eyes and the skin-crawl of the bugs as they attempt to 'get' you. It requires a lot of stamina and a lot of perseverance, both of which you seem to have in abundance. The flowers are gorgeous. Thank you for showing them to us and allowing us to miss out on the climb!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Star
Heads with long feathery styles..Pasqueflower. The feathery silky fruiting head is the distinctive feature of this western grassland species..there you have it from my wildflower book. Lovely views even if you do have some haze from the Russians..I am still not watching the news:)
ReplyDelete