Thursday, March 24, 2011

Gates Overlook via Chinscraper

This is part of the view from Gates Overlook, with the Olympic Mountains in the background as we look out over Samish Bay. The weather today was perfect: in the 50s with little wind and no rain, although it was overcast with a few sun breaks now and then. Twelve Senior Trailblazers hiked today in Larrabee State Park from the Clayton Beach parking lot up to this overlook, and we went via a trail called the "Little Chinscraper." I found this very apt description of the trail in a book on trail runs by Mike McQuaide:
At a "Gate Ahead" sign, find an obscure trail leading to the right and to a serious ascent. Little Chinscraper is what the trail is called; big pain is what it causes.  In 0.9 mile, this ridiculously steep rock- and root-strewn connector trail climbs almost 850 feet. So do what most trail runners do here: walk.
I can attest to the trail's difficulty, but remember we are hikers, not runners. I cannot imagine someone running up this, but I would not be surprised one day to see some animal of the human variety huffing or puffing his or her way up this... for fun. However, being Seniors, it's perfectly fine for us to pace ourselves. At the top of the trail, we drop down a bit to Gates Overlook and the lovely view you see in the above picture.
It was still too early to stop for lunch, so we hiked over to Chuckanut Ridge on our way to Fragrance Lake, and I was rewarded with this view of the Twin Sisters, which was obscured on the same portion of the hike two weeks ago. We headed down to the lake for a nice place to have lunch. Several fishermen were out hoping for a catch or two, but one fellow gave up and headed out while we ate our lunch. We might have disturbed his solitude a bit, with twelve of us parked nearby.
The day was warm with little breeze, so we spent a half hour resting before walking back around the lake and out to the cars. Even though I was looking carefully at the vegetation on the side of the trail, I didn't see much indication of the coming spring, although little green buds are popping up at lower elevations. As you can see in this picture, the ground is still covered with last year's brown leaves.
On the way down, we spied this moss-covered tree and dubbed it the Monkey Tail Tree, for obvious reasons. Nobody can tell me that the moss here only grows on the north side of the trees! In fact, any naturalist who can tell which direction is north in this picture, with clouds obscuring the direction of the sun, deserves high praise and a pat on the back.

By the time we twelve returned to the cars, of course the first thing we asked the two GPS holders was "how far how high"? We covered about eight-and-a-half miles and more than 2,000 elevation gain and loss. It was the second really satisfying hike in a row, and I'll take another next week just like this one, please!
:-)

26 comments:

  1. that moss covered tree looks like a space alien! great views...and i think you got rewarded for taking the tough trail...often the case...

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  2. I'm tired just reading about that climb!

    I really love the monkey tail tree. Nature is really amazing, isn't it?

    If you want to talk about adventure, I'm currently watching 5 kids, four of them under the age of 4.

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  3. Wow, great job hiking Chinscraper, you are awesome!

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  4. I just had to click on the picture of the monkey tree. I can well see why you called it that. It looks like something from a Sci Fi film, doesn't it!
    Lovely pictures today.

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  5. You and your crew, the Chinscraper and the Monkeytails are amazing. I love that first photo and the last.

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  6. Oh, Woman, I am tired just thinking about your hike. Chinscraper, indeed, my chin scraping the ground.

    What a great description of your day. It sounds exhaustively exhilarating. I'm tired just saying that.

    I seriously need to get my butt in gear.

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  7. The sight of beautiful mountains and moss covered trees must have been really thrilling. Impressive hike!

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  8. I just want to know...who names all of these places you visit?!! They have the funniest names. Chinscraper, Samish (how we say sandwich here), Chuckanut (that one really cracks me up...if I had one I'd certainly be chuckin' a nut hiking these trails), and don't forget Fragrance Lake.
    Sounds like you had a good hike, and the views outstanding. Perfect weather! Could you send some my way?

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  9. Another dry, clear morning! Wonderful for hiking, and gardening.
    Next week you'll usher out the month of March on hiking day. Let's hope it goes out like a lamb.

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  10. That moss covered tree is really something - so unusual. Your hiking vistas are always breathtakingly beautiful.

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  11. I don't know, DJan, but 50 degrees sounds COLD to me!!! I always don a jacket when the thermometer hits 75 in our house. But, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Always nice to spend time with friends.

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  12. Over your way moss grows on anything that sits still for more than a few minutes.:) Looks like your weather was nice, I see shorts in the photo.

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  13. Very unusual looking...those moss covered trees...seems to be quite a few, at least 4 in the photo. I would love to have been there.

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  14. Sci Fi fans must climb this trail a lot. The mossy covered tree and limbs are amazing.

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  15. Such fun you and your hiking group seem to have. Your first photo looks like it should be on a calendar or in a book. Reading your posts gives me encouragement to be more active. This morning we woke to fresh snow with trees completely covered and lawns and streets again white. It is still snowing and is supposed to continue for another day or two. We jumped in the car and went to the little store about six this morning for some basics and we came home and made breakfast. I don't think hubby will ride his bike today but we will do some walking exercises inside. I enjoy your hiking stories and photos so much, DJan.

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  16. Stunning and dramatic views. Nice hiking. You put the rest of us to shame!
    Trish

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  17. That tree must have been an alien invader! :p

    And I never heard that thing about moss only growing on the North side of trees... the trees I saw in Belgium and New Zealand had moss on all sides!

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  18. That is a very cool tree. And I think of you as a Super Senior. Capable of hiking over tall mountains and flying through the air with ease!

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  19. I enjoyed your pictures but most of all I like the one where you rested and picnicked.

    Sensible folk to take your time.

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  20. Beautiful pics, my friend!! Sigh...I so miss the Pacific Northwest...

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  21. Fabulous scenery! With such beautiful scenery, I would probably break my neck by paying more attention to the view than to my safety. When we used to ski in the Rockies, we spent as much time standing around looking at the mountains as we spent skiing. I would like to spend more time in the mountains.

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  22. You are just amazing! I haven't been doing much hiking anymore. At both the Aiea trail and in New Zealand, I tripped over tree roots and sprained my ankle. Art nearly had to carry me out. That's what I get for being a klutz. I love your photos. Good thing somebody carried a GPS during your hike. Much safer!

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  23. Great pictures. Wonderful hike! You're making me so itchy to get out, but I'm not desperate enough to hike in the rain. :-)

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  24. Looks heavenly. 8 miles is a very good hike!

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  25. I love the moss covered tree limbs..anything green looks good to me! Great hike:)

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  26. I can understand why you retired here. The photos are absolutely breathtaking! And what fun to hike there.

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