Yesterday we went up on the sixth Monday hike of the season, with two more left. Five of us went, those I have begun to think of as the Core Four (Al, Mike, Fred, me) plus Steve, a friend pictured above at the top point of the Mt. Higgins lookout. The hike was pretty strenuous, which I kind of expected when everything I read about it said it was "not for beginning hikers." They were right: there was plenty of exposure, both at the beginning and at the end, as you can see here, with Steve looking over a sheer cliff straight down into the Stillaquamish River Valley below.
Fred took this picture of me, and as you can see, the views were obscured by haze, mostly caused by the forest fires raging in the mountains to the west. If you enlarge the picture you can just barely make out the peaks. When I went skydiving on Sunday and went up in the airplane, at about 7,000 feet we smelled the smoke and couldn't see the mountains until we were above the haze. There are definitely picturesque mountains behind me, but they are pretty much obscured.
The hike starts at a pretty low elevation and climbs very steeply for the first mile before we entered this beautiful old growth forest. It was shady and the temperature was just about right, and the bugs were present but not terrible as I had feared. For a couple miles we walked in dappled sunlight until we began the push up the last mile, also very steep and unrelenting. We saw this lovely little cairn marking the trail at one point.
It almost looked to me like a zen garden. We still had another 2,000 feet elevation to climb from this point, but once we got to the lookout, it was really worth it. I think I'd like to come back and make this climb again when the air is clear, but until then, I'll just be happy that we had such a nice day together.
We hiked almost nine miles and climbed and descended more than 3,700 feet of elevation. This place at the top is at 4,850 feet. After our descent, which for me was harder than the ascent (my knees were really complaining by the end), we headed to a Mexican restaurant in Arlington and I enjoyed an ice-cold beer and chili relleno. All in all, a good day, and this morning after a good night's rest, I feel great! I took my last antibiotic pill this morning and believe that by Thursday's hike I should be completely well!
:-)
what a cool find along the way with the cairn...looks like a lovely hike...eh a little hazy but...
ReplyDeleteI had never hard of a cairn. What a delightful find along the trail. And what a view!! Even with the clouds or smoke--breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteYou totally amaze me at what you can do WHILE recovering from bronchitis!! You've been swimming, and out to the market and climbing mountains, woman!! Saying you amaze me doesn't do it justice. Wow!! :):)
Too bad about the forest fires. It always saddens me when I read/see the news about them.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was another fabulous hike! The pictures are a clue as to how beautiful it was! :o)
ReplyDeleteFour guys and you- way to go, DJan. Eight miles is my favorite distance for a hike but I agree- the descents can be worse than the ascents. Love the cairns- have seen them all around the world and find them to be tributes to the struggle. Good healthy elevation gain- you're my hero!
ReplyDeleteThose old growth forests are like the best cathedrals in the world. What a beautiful hike and that "zen garden" looks so nice. The view while looking at that map is outstanding and a great photo! What fun you're having!
ReplyDeleteOh Wow. So pleased that you are getting on top of the bronchitis. Pleased for you and selfishly pleased for us, because you are so generous with sharing excursions into the beauties of your world. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think, if I were Steve looking over that sheer cliff into the Stillaquamish River Valley below, I'd be amazed, but nervous! The shady old growth forest would satisfy my sense of adventure quite well! Loved all the photos, especially the first one.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you are well.
ReplyDeleteAlways great to get to a peak. The veiws are usually awesome but as you say smoke is in your area.
I'm glad you are feeling better. How many peaks have you hiked in this year? I am sorry to hear about the fires.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering what the name of the stacks of rocks was for weeks. I knew it at one time, but had forgotten it. Thanks for telling me what they are called.
My son also likes to hike and says it becomes somewhat of a spiritual experience after you reach a certain level. No doubt our little Caleb will soon be hiking along with his dad. He already does some but Rodger hasn't taken him on anything difficult yet but he will.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear you are feeling better DJan, it sounds like the antibiotics wiped out the bronchitis.
ReplyDeleteEven with the haze those are some beautiful views. We are getting a lot of the smoke too, at the moment a little of it is local but most is coming from the west and out of Oregon.
That cute little cairn does have a Zen look to it.
Odd name Cairn, unless you are referring to my dog, I would have called it an Inukshuk - that's what we call em out here; which can mean a few things - The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path."
ReplyDeleteThe Inukshuk can be used as navigation or directional aids, to mark a place of respect or memorial for a beloved person, or to indicate migration routes or places where fish can be found - or perhaps signifying places of power or the abode of spirits. Now I shall have to check out this "Cairn" and see its significance - perhaps the two are related?
Great Photos n great info - thanks :)
You must have very big leg muscles...
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a hike. Fred took a great picture of you. I am so glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThat hike seems quite a bit different to the others somehow, more extreme perhaps, like you said. Love the cairn. The picture of you makes you look like what you are - an intrepid explorer. Glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteIs your cough all gone? If it isn't you need to go back to your Doc. Glad to hear you finished all of the antibotics! You did good!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hike..even through the haze:)