Thursday, April 7, 2011

Raptor Ridge loop trail

The skunk cabbages are coming up! Spring is definitely on the way. Today, nine Senior Trailblazers walked from the Pine and Cedar Lakes trailhead to take advantage of a newly blazed trail that goes from Raptor Ridge over to Madrone Crest, creating a possible hiking loop. This new trail is not actually much of one, yet, at least not from the Raptor Ridge side. Once we got towards the far end of the new trail, it was obvious that it even though it has been blazed, it has a ways to go before you could actually call it an established "trail."

After taking a quick look at the view from the Ridge (which as you can see from the picture below was not much of one today), we went back to explore the new trail. We hiked two and a half miles to the Ridge, with our total distance today a little bit of a mystery at this point, as none of us had actually hiked the entire loop.
Al, our leader, had been on the new trail two days ago to check it out and only got lost once. He placed some additional flags to make sure we wouldn't miss the trail markings and get us all lost. He also wrote an interesting post about his adventure on his own blog here, calling it "Putting the 'Lost' Back in Lost Lake." He did an out-and-back on Tuesday and suggested we consider doing the loop today, which is what we did. We called the entire hike a "lollipop" because we headed out on the trail, hiked in a loop, and then went back down on the same beginning trail.
As you can see, it isn't much of a trail on the Raptor Ridge side. But as we picked our way across logs and soft forest mulch, it became obvious that most of the work has been accomplished on the side of the trail that joins it to the Madrone Crest trail.
We had lunch at the Madrone Crest viewpoint, with little view because of the clouds, but this scene shows you that the sun was trying to break through, even then. As the day wore on, we had more sunshine coming through the trees, and by the time we finished having lunch, we had intermittent sunshine! What a treat!

The only real difficulty I had with the 9 1/2-mile hike is the steepness at the beginning. It was bad enough that we went UP the steep part, but my knees were not happy about having to go back DOWN the same very steep trail. Fortunately I don't forget my trekking poles when doing any of these really challenging hikes. We went up and down 2,500 feet of elevation gain and loss, and now that I am home writing this post, my knees feel almost normal again. Only a few of us don't use the poles, but it takes some getting used to in order to use them to full advantage. I am anticipating some questions in the comments, and I found this very informative piece on the REI website about trekking poles. I bought my poles there and couldn't have done this hike without them.

Another great day in the Pacific Northwest, with NO RAIN and even some sun! And great companions to hike with. I am amazed at what a difference a little time outside in the sunshiny woods does for my mood.
:-)

29 comments:

  1. I noticed the other day someone suggested you move to Florida to be near your sister. I think you said your husband wouldn't go for Florida. If you were free to choose would you choose Florida or the Pacific Northwest?

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  2. The fourth photo looks like a walk well suited for meditation. I would love it. But not the climbing down part. Hope your knees are recovered. Glad your hike lifted your spirits.

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  3. nice. this looks like a delicious walk...little woods, little rock...

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  4. As always I enjoy your hike with you. Amazed at your elevation gain. You have got to be in great shape.

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  5. "And great companions to hike with. I am amazed at what a difference a little time outside in the sunshiny woods does for my mood."

    What a beautiful thing to say, DJan! Just love it!

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  6. It sure is greening up out your way. I always enjoy "our" hikes. ;) Thanks for having us along.

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  7. I always look forward to hearing about your hikes. Who selects these hikes? How did you all meet?

    I'm glad you had some sunshine.

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  8. RAPTOR ridge. Yikes. That name alone would keep me away.
    Trish

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  9. You are totally amazing. I'm truly in awe of your energy and ability.

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  10. Signs of Spring are always delightful!

    I used to wonder of the hiking poles were really worth the hassle of having something in your hands all the time while hiking, but after a couple of really steep bits during hikes in Belgium -in which a couple of people lent me a pole- I came to appreciate them! Still don't know if I'd use them on a regular basis though...

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  11. oh, and thanks for the link! that REI piece on hiking poles is very interesting and informative! definitely provides me with food for thought...

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  12. Loved the last photo of the moss covered trail...I know what you mean about moods and sunshiny woods!

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  13. loved your trek. I use hiking poles when I walk around our 3 acre yard (1/2 woods) checking for new signs of spring. Yesterday I spotted some jack-in- the pulpits just peeling up.

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  14. Very interesting post.I looked at the one photo showing the trail disappearing in the distance, through the trees and grass and I wondered how long a person would have to wait on that trail before another human being came along?

    When I am on a road or country road I try to remember the last time I was on that road. Sometimes I turn onto a road and don't remember ever being on it before so it is a new one for me. Then I try to imagine how long it might be before I return and get on the same road again.

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  15. Beautiful as always. Spring has sprung a little earlier in your neck of the woods vs. here in the NE.
    You are really inspiring me to want to start hiking! I would even be happy to just be able to walk around the block at this point. Which I guess I could do in the snow and rain, but I'm not so inclined! It needs to be a little more above freezing and drier for me!

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  16. Sounds like a great hike and forest photos are wonderful -- all that green! lol Treking polls, eh, look very useful and are a wise choice to take along just in case. I can sympatise on the knees...mine are not what they use to be.

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  17. You are an inspiration! Last weekend I took a short bike ride, the first of the spring season, and had to stop and rest halfway through the ride. I am so out of shape...and you have me beat both in years and fitness! You go girl!

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  18. I as thinking as I read this of a trail I used to walk and then x country ski in the winter. I think I may need to pay it a visit. Excuses, be gone!

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  19. I just used mine to balance trying to walk in my husband's footprints in deep snow. They're handy.

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  20. I think I'll get out of my pajamas, get dressed and go for a walk in my neighborhood while the sun is still out.

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  21. Glad to hear Al put out the extra flags so he didn't get you guys lost, :). Looks like the weather was pretty good, even a glimpse of sunshine.

    I've never tried trekking poles but I used to have the most wonderful hiking stick. It traveled many trails with me. But over the years and lots of moves it disappeared.

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  22. Shhhh, it's three am and my son knows not where his notebook is.....

    My bad electrical karma continues...

    The second pic is where I want/need to be tomorrow .....

    Somewhere, on top of a hill, on a big rock. Away from plugs... :}

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  23. Hi DJan, Another wonderful hike..thanks for the skunk cabbage photo..I always enjoy all your photos but I am partial to the flowers. How much wildlife do you see? I remember last summer you saw that bear...:)

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  24. You'r right on one thing for sure. With the bad knees, before my replacement surgery, the "down" part shock was always far worse than the "up" part on every steep trail.

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  25. wow, parts of that hike look rough
    beautiful though

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  26. I am pleased that you had some sunshine. I watched the news and it was quite depressing, then I came up to my computer close to a window in front of all the trees and dogwoods in blossom under a full sun – and I felt much better. Sun and nature keep us sane – your beautiful treks are vital to you well being I am sure.

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  27. Wonderful hike! All the great shades of green. I continue to be impressed, both by the lengths of your hikes and the altitude gains. We've just begun using trekking poles - what a glorious invention!

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  28. I agree with you about a sunshiny walk in the woods. It makes my spirit soar too. But I don't need 9.5 miles and a steep grade. Congrats on another amazing hike.

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  29. I finally got around to reading the article and watching the videos in the REI link you had in your post about the trekking poles. Great info., thanks for including it.

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