Monday, September 19, 2011

Wonderful Mt. Dickerman

Today on our next-to-last extra Monday hike of the season, the Core Four (Al, Fred, Mike and me) set out to climb up Mt. Dickerman, one of the most popular hikes in the North Cascades, and because of its long distance from Bellingham, a new one for all of us. The event was open to every Trailblazer, but we were the only ones who made it. Two others had intended to come but weren't able to at the last minute. The hike started out in fog and mist, as it had rained very hard yesterday in the entire area. We knew that the clouds would begin to lift by noon, or that was the forecast, at least. We walked through several miles of old growth forest, seen above.
The hike ascended upwards via seventy switchbacks, which actually sounds hard but gave us a fairly moderate uphill climb through dense forest. This was our first view of the summit of Mt. Dickerman, seen here through the mist. We were about 1,000 feet below it. As we continued our climb to the summit, we passed through amazing fields of wildflowers and incredibly dense blueberry bushes, although none of them are anywhere near ripe. We also saw the incredible mountains we hoped would reveal themselves to us when we arrived at the summit, but they came and went, hiding behind the clouds, all day.
You can see the massive structure on the right known as Big Four, with hints of other mountains behind the clouds. There's nothing to be done about it, we are just going to have to return next year to get the full view of these wonderful mountains. I can't say we were at all unhappy with these dramatic scenes, though.
When we reached the summit (in the middle of the picture with lots of people standing on it), we decided to walk a short distance away to the next hill, hoping for a view of Glacier Peak, and others that were hidden behind the clouds. Instead, we were treated to another amazing view: seven mountain goats, all sunning themselves on the next hill! I used my telephoto to bring them closer, but if you enlarge the picture you will notice that at least two of them are smaller and probably babies.
This is the first wildlife we have seen this season, and it was such really exciting for us. If we had stayed with the rest of the hikers on the summit, we would have missed them. I was just pulling out my lunch when Fred jumped up and pointed at them. Suddenly we were all snapping pictures right and left, and trying to stay quiet and calm so they wouldn't go running off. Aren't they beautiful?
I asked Fred to take my picture, and you can see behind me that the clouds never cleared away completely, but they made for some wonderful and dramatic photographs. We stayed for almost an hour on the top before heading back down, hoping for more clearing. It didn't happen, so we descended on those seventy switchbacks in mostly full sunlight, tempered by the dense forest.
The fog and mist of the morning had gone away, and we were glad for the cool temperatures and filtered sunlight as we made our way back to the car. We had covered almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain and loss in just shy of nine miles. It's a beautiful place, and I can see why it's such a popular hike. I'll be back, not just to see the rest of the mountains, but because it was a magical and delightful place to be. What a day!
:-)

24 comments:

  1. Oh. Wow. That was an amazing hike. I love the old growth forest, and the wildflowers, and the views and the goats. You take a mean photograph (and photograph very well yourself). Thank you so much for sharing this day with us.

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  2. Really beautiful. The dramatic mountains, the wildflowers, the goats! And hey, DJan, you look mean and lean in that photo! Read to tackle whatever, anything, everything.

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  3. These photos are gorgeous! I really love all the fog and mist in the first one. The goats are awesome. The hike looks like a beauty; I can see why you'd be interested in doing it again.

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  4. I was wondering when I was reading about this hike today, if you ever run into any wildlife. I was thinking in terms of bears and mt. lions because we have seen so many of them around where we live and we are much more populated than where you hike. This place is gorgeous! I can see why you live where you do. If I lived in a place like this, I think that I would be joining a hiking group too. Maybe I'll just have to try and find one around here. I'm sure there are many places I have never been just miles from where I live. Great stuff.

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  5. Oh, wow! I love the old growth forest pathways. I love the woods and those huge old trees are magnificent. Then the clouds and mountains and wildflowers and mountain goats--what a day! I can see why you'd love to go back. I know you don't really like the clouds to cover your mountain views, but the clouds really make me realize how high up you are! Beautiful pics and you look very happy! :):)

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  6. I know you were all anxious for the fog to lift but I love your first photo of the foggy forest. That looks like a really beautiful area, you got some great shots DJan.

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  7. Loved the worn path through the wildflowers, the goats and massive trees. Your photos captured well the magical feel.

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  8. The day isn't complete without seeing pictures of your hikes, DJan. Sorry these Monday treks are drawing to a close...

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  9. Great shots of a great hike- good distance, good elevation gain and some goats to boot! Well done- and cute photo!

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  10. Oh, this might be the best hike yet! Spectacular. And I didn't even notice the people on the summit because I was so captivated by the flowers!

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  11. I'm just amazed at these photos, the beauty in which you hike. It's stunning, really. It is. What a wonderland.

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  12. These photos are just spectacular. The fog and mist make everything more dramatic. And the wildflowers continue to amaze. I can't imagine hiking that distance, but I can see how healthy and glowing it has made you!

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  13. What a wonderful hike and views. I've only been in that area once with my family and was enthralled by the temperate rain forest. My boys still recall the humongous slugs. :) Oh and those mountain goats. Wow....

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  14. the clouds are astounding! especially in the 3rd shot
    it's all so magical

    and you look so pretty :)

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  15. I just loved the photo of the wildflowers. Then the one of the goats. And the distance views are incredible. You are indeed a gifted person with a knack for taking chances. I know they are not really chances to you but to landlubbers like me they are wild chances. Mom would say she would keep her feet on the ground and did but we did fly her home to Ohio once from Texas. I never dreamed she would fly but she did. I am so glad she got to experience that. There is a whole world outside the womb and most folks never really take the time to explore it. That's one reason why I have always admired the gypsies and the hermits.

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  16. Beautiful photos - I love the shots of the trail.

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  17. Very magical place...definitely worth a trip back. Wow!
    Looks like the land of Oz...the one with the path shouts out 'follow the yellow brick road'. The goats came in pretty good with the telephoto. Goats are such funny creatures. I can see why you'd want to go back.

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  18. Oh my gosh, "seventy switchbacks"! Did you actually count them all? :)

    What a breathtaking scene with the wildflowers! I loved the photos of the trail and the trees, and the fog, and your smile. You look very satisfied!

    You are so inspiring!

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  19. Beautiful paths to walk through the wildflowers and wow what a view..and the Mountain Goats..what a great hike! No bears this year so far.. I bet there will be when those berries ripen:)

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  20. Every picture is awesome. What a place you have for a playground. You have an amazing strength. I like the pics of the mountain goats, and the single mountain goat too. Ha.

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  21. Awesome awesome awesome!!!! You are my hero!

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  22. One of the best parts of any climb is the time you spend at the top.
    On school field trips we always asked the kids to find a comfortable spot and then we had two minutes of silence for them to think about that day's activity.
    Wildlife are always a bonus. I found that many times the wildlife crossed the trail just behind us as if they understood that we did not watch behind.

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  23. Breathtaking DJan! Bravo for doing this hike, and thanks for sharing the wonders of it with us!
    Those mountain goats are adorable!!!

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