Thursday, May 19, 2011

Baker River walk

Yes, I know I have been complaining about the weather lately. But almost as soon as I wrote that last post, it's been incredibly beautiful here. Go figure. Today 14 Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center to drive a long distance (70 miles) south and east to the Baker Lake area. We planned to hike to Noisy Creek, a 9- or 10-mile-long trek from the Baker Lake trailhead. We saw immediately that the suspension bridge had been closed as of yesterday and decided instead to hike to Sulphide Creek on the Baker River trail. We saw lots of old growth trees, like the one above.
You have to admit it was not only a beautiful day, but the creek running behind me, along with the amazing views, made it pretty hard to be disappointed. We had a quick reconnoiter and decided to head back to the ostensibly closed suspension bridge and take a closer look. In the meantime, since it was almost 11:30, several people had lunch, and some had a "munch break" instead. This would add to the confusion later on. But the sun was shining so brightly that most of us shed as many clothes as possible as we continued our hike.
These two intrepid hikers have been missing since last fall, Carol and Sally, and I happily snapped their picture in front of our magical mossy trees. We turned around at the end of the short Sulphide Creek trail and headed back to our starting point, the suspension bridge, where we were foiled in our plans to hike to Noisy Creek. Carefully picking our way across the bridge, we saw that some trees have fallen on the suspension wires and were the reason for its closing. After deciding to risk everything, we hurried across and started on the path to Noisy Creek, with an agreement that we would turn around and head back to the cars at 1:30 pm.
Remember that some people had not had lunch yet, so they decided to fuel up while others went on to inspect the trail. It (the trail) is in wonderful shape, and the magical and beautiful old growth trees were interspersed with all the signs of spring. I fell in love with the fiddlehead ferns showing their stuff in front of the old growth trees.
Sometimes you have to be reminded why one would decide to leave Colorado behind and move to the Pacific Northwest, where the weather is reputed to be nothing but continuous rain. Not so. Every once in a while the sun comes out and warms the air, the mood of the local residents, and smiles break out in abundance. Although we didn't have the most coordinated hike of the year, it was undoubtedly one of the most appreciated by all of us. The Baker River is one of the more beautiful places I have the privilege of visiting, and when you get to do it surrounded by great friends, who could ask for more?
By the time we reached the our cars at the trailhead, we had covered almost nine miles and a grand total of somewhere around 1,000 feet elevation gain and loss. This tells you we didn't work all that hard but enjoyed incredible weather as we walked in a moss-covered old growth forest. I'll take that, with pleasure. (Kimberly's blog about the hike is here.)
:-)

25 comments:

  1. Wow that's a huge tree! I wonder how old that tree is! Could it be a hundred years old or more? That's the reason I liked hiking much, I can see lots of interesting things like you did! Unfortunately the rainy season has begun and it's not really convenient to go there due to landslides. Anyway, I know you've been enjoying much and keep up with it. Just be safe! I enjoyed reading your adventures and looking at the pictures. Bye DJ!

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  2. I see sunshine, blue skies, and smiles. I haven't even read your post yet, but I had to say that I was so happy for a change in the weather for your hike this week. Now, I will read.

    This sounds like a perfect setting for a hike in the sunshine. I could not believe the size of those trees. I love your hikes. I wish I could join one in person someday.

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  3. wow that is a massive tree...bet that was awe inspiring...and way to bum rush the bridge...teenagers i swear...haha

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  4. Absolutely beautiful! I complain bitterly about the rain bit admit it is beautiful here in the PNW when the sun shines.

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  5. Rather lush and fresh looking scenery. I can smell the freshness.
    How many times have I found closed trails? Lots of times closed due to bear activity.

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  6. Truly beautiful. And looking at trees like that one is humbling. Thanks.

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  7. What a wonderful group you have, so motivating when you have each other. Such pretty country and like the others that tree amazes me...Hugs

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  8. Oh wow, just look at all that sunshine, it's about time you got rid of the clouds for awhile. I love your first photo with the giant tree, a Douglas Fir?

    Looks like you and your group had a fantastic day.

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  9. Gorgeous photos! And, it looks like you had a lot of fun! :)

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  10. Goes to show how you are all in incredible shape for you to say you didn't work that hard. Oh my, nine miles and 1,000 feet sounds like work from where I am lounging.

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  11. Nice post! I love the pictures of Carol and Sally. I went to look at the Spring 2011 Trailblazer flicker pictures and I don't see any past the Olsen creek hike. Are the next hikes in another set?

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  12. The scenery takes your breath away.

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  13. I like the old growth tree photo. What a lovely giant that must have been there for several hundred years.

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  14. I enjoy your hiking posts. I should start looking for some groups that do that activity in this area. I haven't searched Meetup.com but it is a place to start. It sounds like an enjoyable activity, but I don't think our scenery can compete with the Pacific Northwest for drama. It is very different in my neck of the woods.

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  15. You didn't work all that hard?

    What d you call hard work then?

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  16. Beautiful indeed. But what does reconnoiter mean?

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  17. I love these posts! Makes me feel like I can vicariously go on a hike with your group in the pacificNW and enjoy the incredible beauty. I can't physically do such things anymore, so it is a real treat for me!! :):)

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  18. Loved the fiddleheads too. Micro view as well as macro, good eye, DJan.

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  19. fiddlehead ferns is my new favorite

    the foot bridge shot is beautiful, great perspective

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  20. A great hike and good friends. It doesn't get any better than that! :)

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  21. A stunning range of views here today D-Jan. What happened to your post about the eyes?

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  22. My goodness that was one huge tree! What a beautiful hike it must have been..I would never have crossed that bridge..but you are adventerous:)

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  24. Sorry about that. I was typing too quickly and goofed my spelling. You really had a fabulous hike. I can almost smell that outdoor woodsy smell. However... 10 miles? Wow!

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  25. Beautiful, beautiful! I can't wait until my girls are old enough to do longer hikes like this one. I miss Baker! For now, we content ourselves with city trails and Blanchard.

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