Noisy Creek 2014

Wondrous green trail

This Noisy Creek trail is one we hike every year, and for the past few years we've been blessed with wonderful weather. Last year we went in June and 12 people joined us. Today only eight Senior Trailblazers ventured out, but I think it was partly because the weather forecast was for it to be unseasonably warm. Fortunately for us, it was just right. We didn't have any bug issues (maybe it's still a little early for them), and the day started out with a very happy group. We had a new hiker, Jacqueline, and a dear friend who has returned for the season, Jonelle!

Jacqueline and Jonelle

Once we cross a suspension bridge over Baker River, we enter into a wonderland of gentle ups and downs. We were heading to the Noisy Creek campground where we would have lunch before turning around. Along the way we crossed a bridge over Hidden Creek. It was so loud that we kept thinking this must be the "Noisy Creek" of the hike's name, but no.

You can imagine Hidden Creek was noisy as well as beautiful

As we hiked along the trail, we had three rather challenging stream crossings to deal with. I was quite pleased with the fact that my boots stayed dry as others got their boots soaked through, until I tried to cross a small log when it broke and and I fell right on in, getting my own boots soaked in the process.

Diane across, Jonelle and Rita with Fred behind

The rushing water made it rather difficult to step into these streams, and I do believe that all of us ended up not emerging without some boot dampness from these crossings. But it didn't really matter, as the weather was fine and nobody was going to suffer too much. By the time we got to the campground and stopped for lunch, most of us pulled off our wet boots and let our feet at least dry out for a bit. We had a great view of Mt. Baker, although the high clouds made it difficult to get a really good picture.

Mt. Baker, with Baker Lake in the foreground

This was our view from out lunch spot. After a nice respite, we began our return trip back to the cars. I noticed some really beautiful maidenhair ferns among the other more common fern types, and I captured a good picture of them. Fred mentioned that he had seen some other more uncommon fern types on the way.

Maidenhair ferns   -->   Old Geezer ferns

Somehow Fred managed to gather some moss on the trail to show that, indeed, Old Geezer ferns are just as rare as maidenhair ferns. Ah, Fred: it's so nice to have the uncommon variety that Fred adds to our group. He exhibits a rare, if rather ancient, form of humor. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Diane, Jonelle, Rita, Jacqueline

Here are the other women who were on the hike today. I took the picture, so I am also present, even if not on this side of the lens. I had a wonderful day with my dear friends, and on the way back we had to see if there was any way to show the incredible old cedar tree that we made friends with on the way up. At first we thought maybe the eight of us could encircle it, but this ended up being the best we could do, considering the circumstances.

Big ancient cedar tree

By the time we returned to the cars, it was rather late in the afternoon and we were pretty tired, after having hiked somewhere around ten miles and around 1,100 feet up and down. It was the same hundred feet we climbed and descended all day, and now I'm tired and happy. The post is finished, there is still light in the sky, and I can enjoy the last of my wine. Hope your day was even half as delightful as ours was.
:-)