Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Yellow Aster is a beaut

Since yesterday was a holiday, Al figured today would be a perfect day to scope out Yellow Aster Butte for the Senior Trailblazers hike on Thursday. Although it would mean I'd miss my Tuesday strength-and-tone workout, there was no doubt that I'd have a good day. It was only Al, Mike (also know as Mikey Poppins to my followers) and me, so we met at 7:30 and were on the trail by 9:00am. The air was cool and crisp, with fabulous views of Mt. Baker and Shuksan.
And flowers. The wildflowers this year just do not quit. Here you see what I think are called yellow asters and lupine, but as we climbed higher and higher, the flowers grew more profuse and varied. We started this hike in a dense forest that climbs steeply to a meadow and then traverses around to the butte. We did have to cross some snow fields, but none of them were scary (but I sure liked having my trekking poles), which was the reason we wanted to see if the whole group might be able to make this hike.
Mike is crossing the most extensive of the snow fields, and as you can see, it's pretty straightforward. He did take out his poles after crossing this one, though. This is so much more snow than I had imagined we would cross, since it is, after all, September! A month ago we would not have been able to gain the butte. One thing about all the snow, however, is the incredible profusion of wildflowers everywhere we went in August and now in September.
If you enlarge this picture, you will see several different varieties of wildflowers. Every time I looked up from the trail under my feet, the flowers and views of the peaks simply took my breath away, time and again. But once we got to the serious uphill to the top of the butte, I looked up behind Al and wondered: do I really want to do this?
Look at that trail! It doesn't even bother with switchbacks, it just continues to climb up to the top of the butte with no apologies! And yes, I climbed it, we all did. You can see that at this altitude (somewhere around 6,000 feet elevation), there are spots of foliage already beginning to turn to fall colors. We arrived at the summit at noon, for an even more incredible view. Here you can see British Columbia's mountains in the distance behind Mike and Al.
The brilliant blue sky, somewhat of a rarity for us to experience for such a long time, will still be here on Thursday. I thought that if I went on today's excursion, I might skip Thursday's trip to the same place. But one thing I have learned: there is never a reason not to head up to the High Country with such weather, such friends, and such views!
We climbed around 2,700 feet of elevation in a little more than seven miles to the top and back. We crossed some snow fields but never felt scared, had a great geology lesson about the area's fault lines from Al, and had simply a wonderful day. I guess I will probably go on Thursday, now that I've been to the top I don't need to do THAT just for fun, I can stay below that last big push and chat with those who will choose to stay and enjoy the sunshine. The light breeze kept the flies away until we began our final descent, so believe me I will NOT forget my bug spray on Thursday! Until then, have a GREAT day.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful. I love the shots of the mountains.

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  2. wow. the wildflowers are beautiful but it is the mountains that are calling me...lovely

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  3. It's a good thing I didn't go. Adeline and Gabrielle have a virus and we had to take them to the doc. It sure looks like it was gorgeous. Glad you all had such a great day.

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  4. Good grief, do you ever say no to a hiking invitation? I can't believe you'd do this twice in one week. Would you climb every day of the week if you could? Remember you need to save some days for skydiving. What a gal!

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  5. I'm with you . Flowers leave a lasting impression. One thing you don't mention as often are the birds. Here the most common bird in the meadows is the robin. After that there are always sparrows.

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  6. I am amazed at all the wildflowers, they seem to go on forever in that one photo. From the views in your photos DJan I think I would be happy climbing this trail often.

    PS, Sorry my little buggy header was unnerving to you and another visitor today. I thought he was a cute little fellow. I will change it soon.

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  7. Wow what a hike! The scenery is breathtaking, it is like a trip to the top of the world. I enjoyed the wildflowers..beautiful:)

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  8. What a beautiful hike. I think it would be hard to get me beyond the flower filled meadows. I might just stay there and go camera crazy!

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  9. That is just so beautiful I have tears in my eyes. The views, the flowers, oh the flowers. Thank you so much for sharing this glory.

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  10. It was a good photo op for you today. Love those wildflowers. I also admire your new header. Good idea to have 3 photos spread across the page.

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  11. Wow! I can't get over the profusion of wildflowers! And the views of the mountains are breathtaking! I can see why you'd want to go back again on Thursday. I'd go back for the wildflowers alone. ;)

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  12. Loved your post, the photos convey so well the different aspects of your climb, the beautiful wildflowers, the isolation look of the snow field, the long uphill workout and rewarding views at the top!

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  13. Love those Indian Paintbrush. One of my favorite wildflowers. And That View! My lord, you are having fun. That path to the top looks intriguing and I can just smell and feel the air.

    I obviously need a mountain fix.

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  14. Aaah, the hikers path is calling - so beautiful and such amazing shots. I am most impressed with the endless fields of wildflowers. I did enlarge the photos for better viewing and just loved the mountains. Great post and thanks for another great hiking adventure. Cheers, Lilly

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  15. Holy moly, those are some beautiful pictures! The wildflowers, the vivid skies, the gorgeous mountains...I don't blame you for figuring you'll go back tomorrow. It must seem like such untouched country. I feel refreshed just looking at the photos.

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  16. Have you ever seen dandelions on ridges like those you walk on?

    Beautiful pics.

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  17. I think you should go into jigsaw production D-Jan. You have so many beautiful views now of mountains and fields, flowers, snow, waterfalls etc. You could make a fortune!

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