Thursday, May 10, 2012

Mud and Cedar Lakes

Ferns unfurling
Eight Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center to discuss what we might want to do with our hike today, which was scheduled to be Pine and Cedar Lakes, an old favorite during the winter and spring. Al had checked out Mud Lake earlier in the week, in the same general area, and thought we might want to try out something a bit different. None of us (except for Al) had been to the lake, but he wrote about it on his blog here, and it sounded plausible. It would add some extra distance and elevation gain and loss to our regularly scheduled trek to Pine and Cedar, and we would probably want to leave one of them out to keep the hike from being too awfully long.
Reflected clouds in Mud Lake
It's kind of a cool place, obviously visited by many fishermen on a regular basis. We heard bullfrogs croaking but no other sounds, other than birdsong. A most excellent destination, but to reach it we had to travel up and down a fair amount and didn't want to stop for lunch and then have to hike uphill. We decided to wait until we reached the Cedar Lake trail to have lunch. I saw that the salmon berries are beginning to form already.
It won't be long before these begin to ripen, but it was only a few weeks ago that the flowers emerged. In the springtime everything happens so fast! If you blink, you might miss something. Going out once a week gives me a chance to see how quickly everything changes. Once we reached Cedar Lake, we walked around to a wonderful sunshiny place by the lake and ate our lunch. We had already hiked seven miles by the time we got here and were ready for a break.
That sunshine was welcome; it was sunny but not exactly warm. With a light breeze and the temperature in the fifties, it was perfect as long as we didn't allow ourselves to linger too long. I got this picture of the lake showing some of the greenery we enjoyed today.
By the time we reached the cars, we had covered more than ten miles and somewhere around 3,000 feet up and down. I was really hurting by the time we started down the steep trail; going up it's possible to take it slow, but going down steep inclines, there's nothing to be done for my knees except lean hard on my trekking poles. I have said it before, but I simply could not descend such steep trails without those poles. But now it's over, I'm home and feeling happy to have spent another day outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my best friends.
:-)

27 comments:

  1. How nice to hike to Mud Lake without the mud, or the rain and wind.
    I know what you mean about everything changing so quickly in the spring. I sometimes wish I could slow it down and have more time to enjoy each lovely stage. Flowers come and flowers go.

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  2. it looks beautiful! the sun shining thru the trees and greenery and sparkling off the water. very nice! you rock!

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  3. i bet you were hurting a bit...but it looks gorgeous up there....well worth it i would say...its cool you get to see so much of the change too...

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  4. The clouds' reflections in that still pool of water beside the lake are beautiful, Jan.
    I thought about it being Thursday and you hiking today...hoping that it wasn't raining for you all.
    Sounds like you had a great time. I hope that you relax this evening.
    Hugs and smiles,
    Jackie

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  5. First I have to say that I adore your second photo of the lake with the sky reflecting on the water. This looks like a great destination for hiking. Glad to see you had some sunshine today. I hope your knees are okay.

    Would you believe we have a freeze warning out for tonight but then the forecast says near ninety by Monday?

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  6. Yes it's amazing how fast things develop during spring time in the high country. One hike in the Rockies , Jonas Pass on July 8 revealed that the snow had just melted and crocuses were already in bloom. We were the first over the pass that year.

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  7. What a beautiful place to stop for lunch and eat looking out over the lake. 10 miles up and down? That's a lot DJan. Right on!

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  8. It's incredible you hiked 10 miles. Whoa! Do you have osteoarthritis in your knees and hips? You should have them looked at by a joint specialist or orthopedist. Don't wait til it gets so bad that it is bone grinding against bone. David regrets waiting so long.

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  9. The views are breathtaking but I know what sore knees feel like. Glad the poles are a help for you.
    xo jj

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  10. The country you hike in is just breathtakingly beautiful. I love following the seasons here, too. What a beautiful spot for a bite to eat!

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  11. My heart sings when I see you have a new post up. With justification. That was a beautiful walk you took us on. And yes, I find going downhill more challenging as well.

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  12. Holey moley! 10 Miles???? No wonder you were hurting, especially on a mountain trail. Sheesh! It's gorgeous out there though. Then again, it's so beautiful that it's worth it, right?

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  13. Hey, I wish I was there with you, having also lots of fun and sunshine!

    Greets,
    Holiday Rentals Saas Fee

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  14. Morning DJan - I love the reflection of the clouds on the lake. What a great hike to cover 10 miles and 3000 elevation. Your lunch spot looks delightful. I agree, with the spring, everything changes so quickly. The leaves are almost out on the trees n bushes here. Just sprouting out about 1/2 inch today. Won't be long before we bypass May and slip right into the long awaited summer heat. Hope you knees recover - of course they will as you prepare for your next hiking adventure. Have a great day :)

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  15. Going down was always much more jarring and painful that going up that's for sure. Then I got my knee replacement and hiking is good again.... :)

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  16. Now that hike looks much better weatherwise. I still say, knees are one of God's mistakes.

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  17. Dear DJan, . . . going down truly is the problem with knees that are getting older. I continue to having nothing but admiration for your stamina and pure grit.

    I especially enjoyed the photo of the greenery. A scene worthy of a poem.

    Peace.

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  18. Mud Lake is a beautiful area..so untouched by man..just perfect! That was quite a trek! :)

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  19. This looks like a pretty hike in good weather.

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  20. Sounds like you and your buds had a fantastic hike. Walking is always more enjoyable in a beautiful setting.

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  21. You're so lucky to be able to enjoy these beautiful hikes that you all go on. The photos are awesome! Sorry you had to deal with some pain coming back down though.

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  22. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, glorious!!! Such beautiful, pristine, atmosphere and scenes. What a trek worth taking to be sure. To dine with your lunch at the lake's shore, I'd give both my ovaries to be able to be there [if I had my ovaries that is]. See, walking UPhill for me would be torture on my system...going downhill has never been a problem. I'd need the walking stick to support me going UP.

    Have a super duper day dear DJan.

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  23. Ten miles in that terrain and elevation is definitely a hike to feel proud of, DJan. Wow. I am in awe of you and your senior friends.

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  24. What a scenic trail - so beautiful! Your photos are breathtaking. I totally understand how those steep declines can affect your knees. Rest well, my friend!

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  25. I picked up my first tick on a hike this weekend. And we think we spied a Fisher Cat. But our hike wasn't as pretty as Mud Lake.

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  26. What a beautiful place and it sounds like you worked very hard to get thee and enjoy it. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  27. I really get trail envy when I read your blog and see your photos!

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