Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lizard, Lily, and North Butte

Today fourteen Senior Trailblazers headed back up to Lily Lake (we went by there last week from Chuckanut Drive), Lizard Lake, and took in the view from the North Butte of Blanchard Mountain. Although this picture is out of focus, I couldn't resist using it, showing the overcast day (part of the reason for the lack of focus) and the profusion of leaves that have fallen from the trees. We had mild weather and were expecting a warm and sunny day. That's not what happened, exactly. It was indeed much warmer than last week's hike, but we kept waiting for the sun to break through the clouds. It did happen, but not until afternoon when we were heading back.
Since we drove south toward Alger and hiked up the east side of Blanchard Mountain, we were able to visit the two lakes, with Lizard Lake our first stop. Both of these lakes look very similar to one another, but the wind had not picked up yet, and the reflection of the trees is really clear. I didn't see any lizards. After a quick stop, we then headed up to North Butte, where we would have a nice view of Samish Bay from a rock outcropping. The view is not much different from what we saw last week, but we had come at it from an entirely different angle.
Once we had climbed the rocks to reach this view, the wind had come up and it wasn't exactly warm. Although there were a few sun breaks, some of us headed down out of the wind to have our lunch. However, I took a picture of some of the group as they came up the rocks.
By the time everyone had arrived on top, nine stayed on the rock for lunch while I joined four other sensible hikers at a lower spot out of the wind. As you might notice from the gloves and warm clothing, we were not exactly basking in the rays of the sun as we had hoped. After lunch, we joined up again and headed to Lily Lake, where we saw some signs of wildlife.
Although we didn't see any beavers, we know they are somewhere nearby, probably working in the dark of night when people aren't around to bother them. This tree undoubtedly will not be standing when we see it next. I learned that beavers are required to chew down trees as their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. (I wonder if this is true, but I believe it.) After passing by the second lake, we began our descent back to the cars. This is when the sun came out and was shining through the dense forest, making for some lovely scenes, some of which were even in focus.
By the time we returned to the trailhead, we had covered almost ten miles and 2,200 feet up and down. It made for a very nice day, and since we had little distance to drive, we were back home by 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm sitting here looking at full sunshine through the window. There is something pretty wonderful about having so many beautiful places to visit, with good friends, on a day with no rain and only a gentle breeze.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. The day without sun has given your pictures a different quality, more subtle and muted. I like that, coming from England. It looks more like what I'm used to there. Here in Knoxville, I am getting used to the very bright sunshine again, sunglasses always at the ready!
    Your pictures are lovely.
    The beavers are doing a good job of that tree. In Scotland, the beaver has been re-introduced after many years without him and it has been very successful so far. Some people were agin it, fearing that it would damage all the trees, but apparently that is not the case, according to what I have heard. The beavers 'manage' the trees, which is a totally different thing.

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  2. Another gem of a post, DJan. I love thst third image.. so peaceful. I love when you take us on your wonderful hikes. We saw the signs of beaver snacks at the cottage the last time we were there. Small, thin bushes were severed in that telltale slanted cut.. right on the front lawn. I wish you more sunshine on your next hike. Until then, bundle up.

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  3. see quite a bit of beaver activity on my hike as well...at least you got sun for a bit eh? smiles...nice pics...

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  4. I thought of you today. Glad to see that you were once again out there hiking.

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  5. So glad you got in another dry hike with mild temps. The weather change is on the way.

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  6. A beautiful day with no rain and good friends sounds like a great day to me. Hubby and I walked through our town and I got some great pictures today. The weather was sunny and beautiful. A bowl of homemade chicken soup and I am ready for bed soon. The tree shows signs of hungry beavers. We watched a great documentary not long ago about beavers. I hope you get lots more hikes in this season.

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  7. Another wonderful hike. I believe that is true about the beavers..have you ever seen their teeth? Scary:)

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  8. The shot of Lizard Lake is wonderful-I love the reflection because it captures the stillness of the moment!
    It sounds like a wonderful day.

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  9. Your days are filled with the most wonderous of sights !
    Love the pictures...so green and lush, and the name Lizard Lake is so mystical :)
    You work hard for your spectacular vistas, I thank you for sharing them with us.
    ~Jo

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  10. I love the hikes in the woods as much as the mountain tops! Lovely! Too bad it wasn't warmer for you.

    I believe beavers are from the rodent family and all their front teeth grow. Even if you have a little hamster, you have to give them something to chew on or their upper front teeth actually can grow so long that they will starve because they can no longer eat properly. So, it's probably very true.

    The lake views look so tranquil. Will you keep going on hikes over the winter?

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  11. Loved it. I have also heard/read that beavers need to keep chewing. It makes sense too.
    Those lakes were beautiful, and I loved the muted colours in the early shots. Thankyou.

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  12. I wonder what everyone had for lunch. If it was a sandwich, did you take your gloves off to hold it? No beavers here in Hawaii, thank goodness.

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  13. Oh my, those beavers have been busy. That tree won't be standing much longer.

    I'm glad to hear you got through the day with no rain. I really like your first photo with all the leaves on the trail. I also love your last shot of the sun through the trees.

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  14. I love the bit of blue in the distance in that first shot and the reflection of the trees is amazing in the second

    that tree looks like a match stick!!
    I didn't realize beavers were so precise

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  15. Would love to hike on a trail surrounded by beautiful tall pines and fern. The lake water looks like dark glass and beavers amaze me, ever since I watched a National Geographic special on them. You do have wonderful ways to enjoy nature and friends, DJann.

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  16. The third photo looks like a place to be lost in, so peaceful and tranquil. Nice hike!

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  17. I don't think I've ever seen a tree chewed by beavers! These photos, as always, are beautiful, and really evoke moods.

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  18. Beavers used down trees to create their homes in the Beaver River running through our farm. They can do a lot of cutting!!

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  19. I enjoyed all your photos. The "beaver tree" is something else. Hard to imagine having teeth so strong.

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  20. Beavers?! VERY cool! That tree sure didn't look like it had long to go... :o)

    The first lake's surface must have been almost perfectly flat (no wind?) to give you such a smooth reflection!

    gorgeous photos as usual DJan! :o)

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  21. Kind of nostalgic, these late-season hikes!

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  22. Oh my goodness! I've never seen beavers try to bring down such a huge tree. These are such gorgeous photos.

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  23. I've never seen a tree chewed down by a beaver either...great photo!

    Even in the midst of our sunny summer days here, if we go hiking through our rainforests, it's like entering another world...in some areas, the sunlight is totally blocked out by the canopy of trees and temperatures are so cool while outside of the rainforest, it is hot and humid. The forest sounds are amazing...I love it!

    I so enjoy going on your hikes with you even if it is just virtual.

    Have a lovely weekend,

    Serena :)

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