Thursday, July 12, 2012

First time for Goat 2012

Peggy and Terry at trailhead
Last year, the Senior Trailblazers climbed Goat Mountain three times, turned back the first time (in July 2011) because of inclement weather and lots and lots of snow. Today we didn't actually hit the snow until we reached the "meadow" (remember in the Pacific Northwest at this time of year that meadows are often covered with snow) where three of the eight of us Trailblazers decided to stop and have a nice break, while the rest of us soldiered on to the summit.
The "meadow" from Al's blog
We didn't have our usual leader today, Al, so Steve took over the official duties while I was elected to set the pace, which I agreed to reluctantly, mostly because I think Al and I have about the same pace. In the picture above, you can see that the last mile of the hike was very challenging, in lots of snow. Not to mention that this hike is not very long but never lets up in steepness: in a short three miles we climbed almost 1,000 feet per mile, with the last mile in blinding snow. You simply could not have attempted this climb today without sunglasses, it was so bright. Notice that there is not a cloud in the sky.
Terry, Peggy, Jonelle, and Steve (me behind the camera)
Once we reached the overlook, however, the payoff was tremendous. We had a 360-degree view of so many mountains: that is Shuksan behind my fellow Trailblazers, and we had views of Mt. Baker and Sefrit as well. We sat down and had a rather leisurely lunch, even though we were cognizant of our other three Trailblazers who had decided to stay below us on the dry trail.
Terry took this picture of me, which I like very much, showing Sefrit on the left and Shuksan behind me before we headed back down to join our friends. (When we caught up with them, they were ensconced next to a bubbling brook with a lovely view of their own.) We had full sun but a light breeze coming off the snow that made it quite comfortable, but I am sitting here in front of my computer with my cheeks burning from all the reflected sun (even with plenty of sunscreen). Once we joined our friends, we descended back into the lovely shady trees and made our way back down the sun-dappled trail to our cars.
I took several pictures trying to capture the amazing trail that was Goat Mountain today. This comes as close as I was able, but I noticed that as we descended the light breeze would come and go. Since we are not accustomed to hot weather, it was the full sunshine and lack of a constant breeze that made today's hike seem to be more difficult than it normally would. Now that I am back home, however, I look back on a wonderful day, filled with witty conversations and lots of effort as we experienced the outdoors together. I even got some pictures of trillium that are turning lavender with age, but still absolutely beautiful.
I like to think of our Trailblazers as being like this trillium: even though we are no longer in the first blush of youth, we are still showing the world that we are here and happy to be feeling the sun on our petals. It was a great day.
:-)

19 comments:

  1. Beautiful, beyond description. I'm so thankful to be living in the Pacific Northwest at this stage of my life. I don't think the beauty will ever grow old to me.

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  2. i love your analogy at the close. :) and i think it is so neat that you get trilliums in july! and shirt sleeves w/ snow! it looks really beautiful.

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  3. This is a super trail.It certainly helps when someone gives a great description of the trail.
    Trailblazers have a way of spurring each other on in positive manner.

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  4. So wonderful. What an incredibly beautiful spot and I absolutely love your trillium analogy.

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  5. That photo of you on the summit? You have conquered the world. Could you please run for prez in 2016?

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  6. Beautiful scenery DJan, I love your shot of the trail. I'm glad you are finally getting some sunny hikes. Considering the temps we've had this week that snow looks particularly refreshing to me.

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  7. That last paragraph says it all to me. The beauty of nature and all that surrounds it, is never old to me. Its like every step I experience with Nature is still my first - it makes me feel alive. When I go out on my bike, DJan, I get this feeling. Its not the same in the car. When you are on a bike on the highway, it is the thrill of feeling the wind on your face, the true ability to see for miles and also disappointly so, the trash some people still throw from their car windows. The wild flowers in the fields, and the many cascading falls, all there for our own personal view in many a pleasurable motorbike ride. Each time you write a post, I do feel like we are all along with you, and I so enjoy it. This, DJan, never gets old. Thank you and also love the photos. Did I say I love your posts :) YAH !!!!!

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  8. You live in such a beautiful part of the world. I really look forward to your weekly hikes and sharing a little of the scenery with you - thank-you.

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  9. great picture of you...the view is spectacular...great job all on summiting...keep showing us all you are there...smiles...

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  10. Don't know why they call it Goat Mountain, since no goats were seen. Weird, isn't it? Anyway, this hike I might have enjoyed, if I were fit. I guess I prefer warm sunny weather to cold rainy weather. Well what do you expect from a gal from Hawaii?

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  11. Gorgeous! So glad you had a sunny day. The view behind you in that photo is spectacular! I love the analogy with the beautiful trillium at the end . . . perfectly stated!

    Kailyn and I went on a short hike Thursday, and I thought of you as we walked through the trees surrounding Round Lake. The hike had a couple of steep spots (for me!) and I forgot my hiking poles, but I made it with only two brief rests. Slowly but surely, I am working my way toward real hiking again!

    Love your posts! They are so inspiring to me!

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  12. Climbing a thousand feet a mile. More than half a mile up in three! Whoa. You ARE planing to tackle Everest next year, aren't you?

    Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time. But did you see a Mountain Goat on Goat Mountain?

    Strangely, the only Trilliums I have seen were in Ontario. I did not realize here was a west-coast variety.

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  13. That trek through the snow as worth it! The shots of you all at the summit show it all. Love that one of you. And the path through the dappled woods--delicious, too. Love the comparison at the end. The bloom is not off your rose, my dear! Not by a long shot!! ;)

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  14. Not in youth? I like to think of myself (66) as in late middle age! Fabulous hike!

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  15. Your photos are gorgeous, DJan. I can almost smell the mountain air. My all time favorite photo is of you though. You look beautiful, strong and so full of energy and light.

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  16. I'm envious of the wonderful group you have in the Trailblazers. What an amazing hike too...incredibly beautiful! I also like that picture of you.

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  17. That is a beautiful photo of you, Jan. Your strength is reflected in the "backdrop."

    The photo of the trail really is enticing.

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  18. Great photo of you in one of your elements!
    The Trillium is so pretty in it's ageing color..ours do that sometimes if it is a real cool spring:)

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  19. Gorgeous!!! And I love that photo of you DJan, with those majestic snowy mountains in the back... great shot!

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