Thursday, June 28, 2012

Maple Grove

Our Trailblazers June 2012, picture taken by Con
I have just spent the past hour looking for the last time I wrote about a Senior Trailblazers trip to Maple Grove on the South Trail of Baker Lake. Well, we last visited this place in late March 2009, and I wasn't exactly writing posts every week about our trips as I do today. There wasn't one, and we had a lot of snow back then. But not today. Eight of us met at the Senior Center to decide where we might go on this late June day, since our scheduled trip was out of the question, due to the deep snow at Sauk Mountain. After last week's humbling experience on the Excelsior Pass trail, we decided to try another trip south to Baker Lake and take the trail to Maple Grove.
Foxgloves at the trailhead
When we arrived at the trailhead, we met Cindy and Con, two Trailblazers who were planning to hike the trail as well, so we became ten until we stopped for lunch. Although the day called for a 70% chance of rain (no surprise), the day dawned clear and mostly sunny. Almost the entire day we had more sun than clouds, and we knew the rain was expected later in the day. The trail was so beautiful, with old growth trees and gentle, easy terrain, so we were feeling particularly happy to be in such a gorgeous place, with no snow.
For the first part of the hike, we met no other people on the trail and simply enjoyed the abundant birdsong and light breeze. This trail has little elevation gain and loss (I think the whole day was less than 1,400), so we didn't need to do anything more than enjoy the beauty of the big old trees and lovely greenery. We did have one stream crossing that would have been difficult without the assistance of a metal rope to give me a little courage.
You can see the strong current under our feet as we made our way across; the roaring water and the narrow log gave us a challenge, but everyone successfully navigated the crossing. We took a little side trip to look at the campsites at Anderson Creek, and I caught this lovely picture of Mt. Shuksan reflected in Baker Lake.
Mt. Shuksan reflected in Baker Lake
All of my pictures of Mt. Baker, which was visible as well as Mt. Shuksan, were washed out due to the high clouds, but this one I felt was worthy of some admiration. Al took a picture of me alone in front of this beautiful view, but I like to limit the number of pictures I put on these posts, so it will need to wait for another time. As you can see, there was little wind to stir the water on Baker Lake, and the clouds were there but didn't obscure the view.
At Maple Grove, enjoying perfect weather
We stopped for lunch at Maple Grove, having traveled four-and-a-half miles to get there. The weather continued to be just about perfect as we ate and enjoyed each other's company before heading back the way we had come. Cindy and Con stayed behind to make their own way home, while the other eight Trailblazers said farewell for now and went on our way. We met several other hikers on the way back, but until then we had this beautiful place to ourselves. Nowhere was I able to find a picture that could capture the beauty of the day, the enormous gorgeous trees, and then I looked up.
The canopy of beautiful trees surrounded us and gave us shade and shelter. By the time we reached our cars, we had covered 8.4 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain and loss on an absolutely perfect day, weather in the low 70s, light breeze, no rain, and the best company I could imagine. Now I am home, happy and content, and glad to share my day with you. Until next time, I offer you some happy virtual hugs.
:-)

22 comments:

  1. Don't you just love those foxgloves growing wild? I to like looking up at those tall tall trees, unbelievably tall. Sounds like it was a very good day.

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  2. now THAT sounds like my kind of hike! easy(er), great weather, beautiful. :) the reflection shot is wonderful!

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  3. Those Foxgloves are beautiful!
    What a nice hike and I enjoyed all your photos..I am so glad you had a good day. Sending you a hug too! :)

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  4. i just kept saying wow as i flipped through your pics...those trees are awesome...so is that reflection of the mountain...omg...so cool

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  5. Now that is a hike I could have enjoyed! Beautiful. I do love big old trees.

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  6. Wow! That's a beautiful hike and the picture of the mountain reflected in the lake is just stunning! Almost doesn't look real it's so prefect. What a satisfying day. I love that you share your adventures with us. :):)

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  7. A delightful hike. Thanks for taking us along for the adventure. Love the pictures!

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  8. Virtual hugs accepted and returned to you in kind, my friend.
    I love to enlarge your photos. The photo of the foxgloves is beautiful, Jan...the greenery looks so soft. I'm not familiar with that plant, so I found it interesting and quite beautiful. The size of those trees is breathtaking. I can only catch my breath and say, "Awesome" as I look at the photos of them. I was able to walk among the giant redwoods in California, and I have never gotten over how massive and beautiful they are.
    Your day sounds wonderful; I'm glad that you had clear weather and a lovely trip. The photographs are splendid!

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  9. This is the kind of weather I like: sunny but cool. I would have been petrified crossing that rapid stream with just a metal rope to cling to. Lol. But, you folks are so intrepid, it's unbelievable.

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  10. And a virtual hug filled with warmth and grace coming right back at you.
    Great post DJan, except I wish you had posted that photo of you at the end. Loved the view up the trees into the sky and clouds - NICE.
    That STREAM, looks treacherous enough, must make quite the noise rushing underneath you as you go across the log. WOW, the foxgloves are soooo lovely.
    The reflection of the mountain is indeed beautiful. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.

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  11. Coming here from gigi. I'm in Seattle now and hoping to get some hiking in. Lovely photos.

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  12. Mmmmmmmmm, that mountain's reflection in the lake [or I should say 'on' the lake] is stunning. And the foxglove, I would've thought at first glance lupine. None the less...absolutely gorgeous again. I love your hikes you take us on each time you post about them.

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  13. This hike.. I could have done. Maybe not that log crossing, though. ;)

    Beautiful, beautiful images, DJan. The reflection photo is just so lovely. The water so still. And I think I'm in love with those trees.

    You sounds absolutely high on the beauty of the place. No wonder.. sigh.

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  14. You must have some wonderful dreams D-Jan - visiting all those beautiful places and storing their images in your mind. Today's pictures are breathtaking as usual. It's nice to see the summer weather though.

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  15. As always, your description and photos is inspiring. I so admire your strength and determination. Thanks for sharing the hike.

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  16. Stunning photos! The trees, that lake and the reflection...We're all voyeurs on your hikes!

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  17. You live in such a gorgeous part of the country, DJan. Baker Lake is just incredibly beautiful. It reminds me of Glacier National Park. I love those Foxgloves too. I wish we had areas close by that beautiful to walk in here.

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  18. Oh wow, the reflection of Mt. Shuksan is gorgeous DJan. It looks like you had a near perfect day for this hike. I love those Douglas firs especially looking up.
    Virtual hugs back at you!

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  19. You found beautiful scenery this time of the year. That hike sounds like a very rewarding one with fewer challenges weather wise than usual. Gorgeous photos. Do you post your photos to a site like Flickr?

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  20. Your mount Shuksan photo is a winner. You even had picnic tables for this hike! Pretty soft!
    Gorgeous scenery!

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  21. Dear DJan, thank you for sharing your day and its trek. To be surrounded by such beauty. It makes me realize that I, too, must look at what's familiar here in Missouri and find its beauty. Peace.

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  22. I can't even begin to describe how lovely your photos in this post are DJan! It must have been an AMAZING hike! I love the shot of all of you at the beginning looking all summery! And the mountain behind the lake... and that rushing water! Call that a stream?!?!?! Around here a stream barely has a trickle of water in it!
    Lovely day, good for you guys!

    Makes me wish I could hit the mountains and forests too... but that would be asking for trouble in this heat and sun. Not to mention the risk of fires... a huge swath of the Province of Valencia was burning for several days last week. Sad!

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