This is the third time this year that the Senior Trailblazers have headed up to the south summit of Stewart Mountain, also called "Cub Creek." I'm not sure why we call it that, since there is no creek and no cub (that we saw, anyway). Nine of us headed out on a beautiful Thursday, with plenty of sunshine, and we didn't even say (or think) the "R" word. Last February we went on this hike and turned back early, since my blog post that day was entitled "
Another soggy Thursday hike." Not much fun at all. We didn't make it to the summit, so we tried again in June. This was a much better day, but we didn't make it to the summit either, because the fog came in and surrounded us. You can read about it
here.
Today, we not only made it to the summit, but it was simply a glorious day, with views of Lake Whatcom, along with Mt. Baker and the Sisters. I learned when I got home that it has been windy in Bellingham all day long, but I didn't notice it until I got out of the car. The wind didn't make it to 3,000 feet while we were there.
You can see in this picture that we had magnificent views of Mt. Baker (on the left) and the Sisters to the right. In the foreground is the clearcut we must learn to deal with here in Washington state. We had to cross some of it to get to this spot, but the forest does come in and repopulate the area with trees... eventually.
Some of this hike is on old logging roads, and some of it is on trails. We got to this spot before we stopped to have lunch. This is the south summit of Stewart Mountain, so we made it this time, on the third try of the year! And what a beautiful day it was. After we had lunch, we headed back down to our cars, but not before I captured this lovely picture of Mt. Baker.
Although there are a few clouds in the sky above Mt. Baker, we had none over us. Those are also not lenticular clouds that you see with wind, so that also surprised me when I returned home to find it had been blowing hard all day. As I gaze out the front window, I see the wind is very strong at the moment. I am so glad we didn't have to deal with it during our day outside.
When we started our descent, we got some great views of Bellingham Bay in the distance. Before the day was done, we had traveled more than ten miles and ascended and descended around 2,700 feet. No wonder I feel tired now. This is the kind of day that makes me keep coming back for more with the Senior Trailblazers. It's the best way I can imagine to spend my retirement. Oh, and one more picture: Peggy is peering out from behind this BIG maple leaf, looking a bit scary, just right for the season:
It sure made me smile when I saw this! Thanks, Peggy, for being one of my favorite aliens!
:-)
This looks like a nice hike. Always good to be outside on a day without rain.
ReplyDeletenice...looks like you had a gorgeous day...and were rewarded as well with some awesome views...glad the 'r' word stayed away so you could enjoy it so much...
ReplyDeleteYou had a super day considering that you tried this twice before. You had great views of Mt. Baker.
ReplyDeleteYou have some really fun people in your group when they play with a huge leaf.
Such stunning photos. It looks like a fantastic hike. What I find so intriguing about these posts about your hikes is how dedicated and resolute all of you are. Onward...
ReplyDeleteHuge leaf!! Glad the hike worked out today..and you got sunshine! The view is stunning..thanks for taking me along:)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! The Pixie Household is heading up to Baker tomorrow to do a little hiking. Hopefully the blue skies continue.
ReplyDeleteWe have been working hard here this week without rain. what a treat after what seemed like non-stop rain last week. And we had a bit of that wind here too. Surprising that you had no wind higher up.
ReplyDeleteAnother great and inspiring post. I am very happy for you that the third time was the charm - and loved the photo of Peggy. Thank you - and please thank her as well.
ReplyDeleteThird time was the charm indeed. Imagine 10 nice weather miles and wonderfully stunning photos to boot. Pays off to be patient, Eh.
ReplyDeleteThese photos and the hike are quite intriguing to this virtual walk-a-long. Thanks a bunch DJan - it was a great hike for me too :)
I love your photos of those mountain peaks. Kudos to you for being such a dedicated hiker.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly walk in beauty. I enlarged your photos – stunning! The photo of Mount Baker is so beautiful. I walked up my little Kennesaw Mountain this week and know the feeling you get when you are up high (well compared to your mountain I was not very high up there!)
ReplyDeleteNow I know where to come for my mountain fix when it's raining here. Although it's probably raining where you are, too. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteYou were so lucky to have such a gorgeous day! The view is amazing. That leaf is amazing! I'm wondering what the tree looked like. I've never seen maple leaves that big!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures D-Jan and so clear. I'm glad it didn't rain on you.
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, I have such a feeling of satisfaction when I read your postings about the Senior Hikers. Almost as if I'd hiked with you. Peace.
ReplyDeleteWow.. amazing how different the various altitudes can be, weather-wise. I would have expected that with precipitation, for sure but it never would have occurred to me that wind is affected also.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots, as always and I especially love Foliage Face. ;)
Looks like a beautiful day--and a lot of snow on Mt. Baker. That is the biggest maple leaf I have ever seen!! :):)
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me? That maple leaf is huge.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are spending your retirement this way too. You continue to amaze me. Thanks for all the beautiful photos.