Thursday, October 27, 2011

Last Goat of the season

This is the fourth time this season we have gone up Goat Mountain. By this time of the year, we are usually relegated to the Chuckanuts (not that they are awful or anything, but once the snow flies, we stay close to home) but not this year. Although our season started out slowly, we are still able to get to the High Country. Today ten Senior Trailblazers made our way through the magical trek in the forest, with some residual morning fog still hanging around and giving us this beautiful view.
Before we had gone very far, however, the beautiful restful (although pretty darn uphill) trees were beginning to be covered with this white stuff. From this point onwards, it only got whiter and more slippery. Although we had full sunshine today, remember we are somewhere around 4,000 feet elevation in this picture, and we are headed up to around 5,500 feet. So you KNOW we are going to hit more snow.
By the time we reached the viewpoint showing Sefrit Mountain here, we could see Shuksan and Baker (our old friends) too. The blueberry bushes had a few little offerings here and there, but mostly we basked in the sunshine that warmed us as we ate our lunch. Although it was relatively warm in the sun, one of our hikers gave out before we got to this viewpoint, so we didn't dawdle but quickly went back down to join the others.
Kathy and Karen are enjoying a quick lunch before we headed back, and you can see all the fresh snow on the ground and trees behind them. It was a beautiful day, a perfect one to end the High Country season (I've said that before, haven't I?). But one thing will end today for sure: our dear friend Jonelle who first joined us on Goat Mountain on September 1 will be heading back to the desert to lead hikes there. We won't see her again until she returns in May. She's one of those "rainbirds" who head south when the weather begins to turn, but she has wiggled her way into our hearts and we'll be looking forward to her return. Blue skies and fair sailing, Jonelle!
Here she smiles along with Al, our fearless leader, with Sefrit also smiling behind them. The weather blessed us once again, and we will, as you know, be heading down to the Low Country any day now, with lots of rain in our future. But today, well, this entire week has been outstanding. Today we covered almost eight miles and 2,600 feet, to add to Tuesday's numbers, giving us more than 5,000 feet up and down, and almost sixteen miles of wilderness, adding together both treks. I'm feeling quite... accomplished!
:-)

24 comments:

  1. the air up there must be so crystal

    I love the light thru the trees in the first shot
    and I always love seeing you :)

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  2. "Accomplished" is an understatement! Good that you were strong enough to walk all that distance. It sounded like a lot of fun.

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  3. best wishes to your friend and many happy returns to her...the trees look magical with that little bit of snow....

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  4. That first image is amazing! I really need to drag the Pixie Household up that way...

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  5. Hahaha I got tricked with the title again...I thought it's a goat. I remember that last time I was tricked by Chapel and I was looking for a chapel. Anyway, another fun adventure again and I always enjoy hiking with you in your pictures. Thanks DJ!

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  6. DJan I love your blue rain coat – I hope it will keep you very dry. Can you believe that the last time we went to Canada and wanted to find a rain coat here in Atlanta I could not find one anywhere? I have many umbrellas though.

    Your mountain pictures are so stunning – they could go into a calendar. My husband who had a master’s degree in environment planning and ecology back in 1972 when it was not well known bought Aldo Leopold books then – beautiful books.

    I admire your walking – 8 miles! After I walked just a tiny bit in the North Georgia Mountains a couple of weeks ago I had to stay in bed the next day and my knees were in terrible shape. I went to the doctor who is starting a series of special shots in the knees – I hope that it will help.

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing your walks through such amazing country. I am in awe at the beauty you show us, your photographic skills and, not least, of your stamina.

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  8. Your life is such a dream!!
    Goats and Chuckanuts and lord knows what else...I live vicariously through you a lot.

    You're an amazing woman!

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  9. So that's what autumn looks like in the mountains. It's breath-taking.

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  10. Oh wow, you had another gorgeous day over your way. Your first photo is absolutely gorgeous.

    I got a kick out of the term 'rainbird'. I grew up in the South and snowbird was common there. I guess there are a lot of folks who leave your area for drier climes when the rains set in.

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  11. Beautiful sights along the way. The photos show smiles and they don't seem to be just for the camera.

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  12. Such heart-stopping, beautiful sights, Jan. I love that first shot with the sun filtering through the trees. Just gorgeous.

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  13. Four seasons are very enjoyable and I would miss them if I moved to a place without them. Your photos are always great. You have to endure a lot to get those shots and we readers just sit back and enjoy. I appreciate your efforts.

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  14. Oh Gosh!! That first photo with the sunlight coming through the trees is breathtaking! You see the most stunning landscapes. I will miss traveling the high country with you. ;)

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  15. The snow looks beautiful on everything, but it does look like it could be slick. Your pics are great, as usual.

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  16. That first photo is amazing. I love the light and everything about it.

    What beautiful weather you had! What are you going to do with yourself this winter?? Are there lower level hikes so you can keep going?

    Thanks for the cheerful comments on my latest post.

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  17. It takes much more energy to climb under these conditions. However, the air is fresh and invigorating. Tremendous friendships and bonds form during these hikes. People become very supportive.

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  18. You have the right to feel accomplished. Good for you and thanks for sharing such beautiful photos.

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  19. These photos are so gorgeous. You almost make me want to get out there and climb a mountain. The operative word here is "almost."

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  20. As well you should. Looks like I missed some Seattle sun while I was gone!

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  21. Looking a little wintery! I enjoyed your views once again..don't I always. I hope your hiking group knows how much I admire them all:)

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  22. The light filtering between those trees... magically beautiful DJan! :o)

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  23. What an amazing experience and, wow, you must be SO fit! Beautiful imagery!

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  24. love, love love that first shot of the sunrays coming through the trees...wow!

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