Thursday, May 2, 2013

An extraordinary day

Beautiful forest canopy in early morning light
Once again, eleven Senior Trailblazers showed up for our Thursday hike on a day filled with sunshine. We drove to the Blanchard Mountain trailhead to head up to Lily and Lizard Lakes, with a stop at the North Butte, which would give us a fantastic view on a day like today. When we climbed Blanchard Mountain at this time last year, we got rained on pretty much the whole day. This was the other side of the Pacific Northwest: full-on sun and flowers everywhere: mountain violets, salmonberries, and my favorite, trillium.
They come out quickly in the springtime and don't last long. Sometimes when we start our hikes in the High Country in midsummer, I will spy one a bit later in the season, but it's only because the snow causes everything at altitude to bloom later. Trillium have three petals and three leaves, and I love the way they look. Today we had dozens of them to admire.
After a quick stop at Lizard Lake for a snack, we headed on up to North Butte for the view of the bay. It was stunning, as we expected, but the real surprise is that there wasn't even a slight breeze, and we ended up taking much longer for our lunch break than usual. It was simply glorious, and of all the times I've been up here, this was by far the most pleasant.
We then headed to Lily Lake, where we took some time to lollygag, even though it hadn't been long since we stopped for lunch. It was just that kind of day: we were in no hurry to leave the magnificent woods on a day like today. I went over to the water and looked at the lily pads and discovered that they begin their journey from the bottom as soon as the sun begins to work on them, and they slowly make their way to the water's surface.
Underwater lilies making their way to the surface
In looking at previous posts about this particular hike, I notice that I never fail to take a picture of the beaver activity in the area around Lily Lake. Today was no exception, but this time those beavers have taken on the most ambitious cedar tree I could ever have imagined!
They will be working on this for awhile, I think. It's rather amazing, when you look at it and think of these small creatures gnawing this huge tree to the ground. Notice the small tree in the foreground that they have already taken down this year. I suspect this cedar tree will not be standing next time we visit the area.
Bob, Maggie, Linda, Mikey (peeking out), and me
Since I haven't been in any of the pictures for awhile, I took this one of myself by holding my camera out at the end of my arm. I was pleased with the way it turned out and had to share it. All in all, it was a simply extraordinary day, and now that I'm sitting here after having covered more than ten miles and 2,100 feet elevation gain and loss, my wine is tasting pretty darn good! Now I've got a day to recover before heading to Snohomish for my first 2013 Saturday with Linny and friends.
:-)

32 comments:

  1. sounds just about perfect! your view at lunch was awesome, and then not being chased back by wind, cold or rain and willing to dawdle, that says a lot! :)

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  2. The scenery on these hikes is just magnificent. And those lilypads...they look like something out of The Sorcerer's Apprentice, as if they are going to start swaying and dancing any second.

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  3. Wow! You are right to say that this is the best hike so far. I just think that hiking in sunshine trumps hiking in rain, wind, and snow. Love your photos, DJan.

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  4. Extraordinary indeed! What a beautiful spot.. perfect weather and fine sites along the way. I love that overambitious beaver gnaw and of course the trillium is a favourite of mine also.. it's our provincial (Ontario) flower.

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  5. the underwater lilies are amazing....and what a cool little spot for you there by the lake...love all those tall trees...yep, i bet you had a great walk today

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  6. Anyone who hasn't clicked on your link on this site that links back to last year's hike needs to click. That photo is one of the best photos ever. I remember seeing it before and thinking that it is worthy of publication...a great photo.
    I'm so glad that everything was still and beautiful for you and your friends, Jan. I see by looking at the photo of the water that there isn't a breeze about...and it is glassily beautiful. Love the photo of the lilies....wouldn't have know how they developed if you hadn't told me and posted the photo. Amazing. But, nature is amazing to me. Have a lovely remainder of the week. Hope that your cold is long gone...and no remnants left of its bad self. Also, I send hugs and thoughts to PJ. I hope that she continues to have very good days.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  7. You don't get a lot of these perfect days so it must have been very exciting. I hope Saturday gives you an equally perfect day for sky jumping.

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  8. any day on a hike to a look out is a great day. If it's sunny it's a bonus.

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  9. What an amazing looking day you had. All that sunshine is something I seldom see on your hiking posts, I hope there is more to come. The trillium is so pretty.

    Enjoy your weekend DJan!

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  10. Lovely Trillium, I love to see them in bloom. They are short lived here too..just blooming about five days. Lovely hike, it looks so warm there..we struggled to get to 46 today and there was frost and 22 degrees this morning.. IT is cold in the museum:(

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing this simply MAGICAL day with us. Wow. And wow again.
    Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

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  12. Sounds like a perfect day. I hope you have a wonderful weekend...sounds like the weather will be perfect for a day in the air.

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  13. I'm so glad you took that photo of yourself in this post. Your pretty smile lifted my spirits. That trillium is gorgeous. I have the hardest time taking photos of white flowers.

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  14. Another lovely Thursday venture. The view of Lizard Lake looks like it's as big as the ocean.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting
    Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  15. How lucky for you to have been there. Glad I got to come along. Trillium are one of my favorite woodland wildflowers. I have several in my woods....:)

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  16. Extraordinary indeed! What a glorious day for this great hike- good for you!

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  17. Why are you always going up hill-- she whines. That would kill me but then I see the view and know why. You all hike the best places.
    Had no idea beaver tackled such huge trees.

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  18. I've joined a walking/hiking group. But I haven't attended a hike yet. My bad. It looks like a splendid day to be outdoors there.

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  19. ...sweet smile. Power of suggestion along 'bout now...made me smile right back atcha!! And those water lilies, that is one amazing photo. Another great trek for us all to live through, proxy-style.

    "Best Hike So Far" indeed.

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  20. That looks like my kind of walk D-Jan. Those blue skies, sunshine, wildflowers and the lake. What more could anyone ask for?

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  21. You guys have had the best weather! Beautiful panoramic views--and I love the water lilies shot. I can't believe the beavers are going to take down that huge tree! It's wonderful to see you and the group shots are great, too. :)

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  22. You certainly look radiant D-Jan. The weather was kind to you and all the flora and fauna is spectacular as usual. The cedar tree will soon be down. I have to admire the beavers for their industrious attitude. They have recently been reintroduced into Scotland so will be busy doing that sort of thing over here now.

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  23. Love your smile DJan. It sends out an abundance of genuine warmth. It is so nice to see you hike and not be drenched. Those beavers certainly are doing a job on those trees and nice view of everyone round the old fire pit. Great pic of you holding photos and your fellow hikers peeking in background. I love the water lilies - neat capture. Have a wonderful time with your friends in S.

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  24. Where did you dig up the sunshine? Where did you order, send me the address.

    I got home from my road trip on Sunday night, my friend Shirley left on Monday night to return to her home in CA. We saw so much and met some wonderful people there. I will try to break it down to a few posts.

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  25. I took Jackie's advice and revisited your fabulous photo from last year. I'm glad this year's trip was so very pleasant, but last year's did what negative conditions often do - it caused you to create art!

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  26. Our woods become carpeted with triliums in the spring for a couple of weeks in May, usually. I love them, such a simple flower, yet they make everything look so enchanted.
    We had a beaver take residence on our pond last summer - he was so much fun to watch! They can be very destructive, years ago we had one chewing down a tree in our yard, and that tree was destined to take down the only power line around. But I can't help but love the industrious critters.
    Love the picture with you and your hiking friends.
    Hope it's a wonderful weekend for sky adventures!

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  27. It looks like the weather was truly glorious for your extraordinary day. I can think of no better way to spend the day. I can see why you love the trillium. They are beautiful.

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  28. While you were hiking in the hills, I was down on the good earth, planting. Either way, we were enjoying nature and sunshine! what a week we've had!
    As you know, I love trillium too.

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  29. What a fantastic hike DJan !
    You share some of the most spectacular sights with us, if it wasn't for your pictures, we would never see such vistas and incredible beauty.
    Thank you.
    ~Jo

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  30. came back to say, congrats on your potw!

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  31. Bravo on your POTW

    I love your selfies, you take great ones. I remember the one of you and the little boy from the coffee place, that was a great shot too

    Love the wildflowers
    and the trees!!
    and you

    Hugs from me and Hope

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  32. Greetings from another Pacific Northwesterner, and congratulations on your POTW!
    Thank you for sharing the beautiful flora and fauna (and scenic views, too) from your hike.

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