Thursday, August 14, 2014

Park Butte 2014

The flowers were abundant, but the view, not so much
Twelve Senior Trailblazers made the long drive from Bellingham to Schreiber's Meadow, where we began our usual trek to the lookout at the top of Park Butte. It's a beautiful place, and it was even beautiful today, although as you can see, there was no view. Last year, we had fantastic views, which you can see here, if you want to know what we missed today.
Bridge to help us cross the stream
There have been a few years when there was no bridge to cross this roaring stream, which today was the color of tea, after the rains of the past few days. We were very glad to have it, and at this point we thought the fog might lift to give us some views of Mt. Baker. Nope.
An enjoyable day anyway
We did think that eventually we would have some bit of a view, but it was not to be, not today. However, there was a good chance we would get rained on, and that never happened. We were quite comfortable during our exertions as we made our way to the lookout. It's a very nice little cabin that looks out over the valley below (see the previous year's post for a picture of it from the outside, looking up at it).
Bob, Sue, Paula, Diane, Rita (I took the picture)
Anyway, six of the twelve of us decided to have lunch inside the cabin, while the others stayed below the final push upwards. They knew there would be no view and little reason not to simply stay below. However, Bob, Sue and Paula had never been inside, so we went ahead and had our lunch there. I kept hoping that the fog would miraculously lift and we'd have a great view of the surrounding mountains, but it didn't happen. I wandered out on the railing to see if I could get a shot, and this was the best I was able to capture to show you what it looked like today.
Nobody had lunch on the railing today (see last year's post)
After a leisurely lunch, we headed back down to our cars to head home. By the time we had finished our hike, we'd covered almost eight miles and 2,300 feet up and down. Although it's not a difficult hike, it's also not trivial. I'm feeling the miles and the toll it took on my recently injured knee. It was worth it, though.
The meadow shrouded in fog
Every once in awhile on the way down, I thought the clouds would lift. They would begin to clear, and then come in anew. So we never had a view of the magnificent Mt. Baker that looks close enough to touch, not today anyway. But the company was wonderful, the day was rain-free, and the temperature darn close to perfect. And guess what? On the way home, it began to rain! Somebody was looking out for us, I think. It was a great day.
:-)

19 comments:

  1. usually fog adds a level of mystery...that view off the cliff into the fog is a bit intimidating..ha...i remember your trip from last year...

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  2. lucky you! the fog is quite beautiful and i'm jealous for the rain. :)

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  3. Well, hiking is hiking view or not. Of course , the views make hiking much better. Got lost one time in really thick fog as we were in an area without a trail. Luckily the fog lifted.

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  4. Looking at these photos, Sandburg's poem came immediately to my mind.
    Lovely fog....
    Just lovely!

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  5. That first photo of flowers and fog is just so beautiful!
    It was cool and cloudy here all day, but no rain. There was a bit of rain as I was leaving downtown this afternoon, so I guess it was spotty.
    Glad you had another great hike.

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  6. Even with the fog everything is still beautiful. Fog always reminds me of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains area years ago. I've had many hikes with the fog hanging low. Same in NorCal. I kind of like fog.

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  7. I have a soft spot for fog. It softens and quietens things - and gives sneak previews often of the beauty it hides.
    I am glad that your poor sore knee held up today.

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  8. I think that the mystery and elegance of fog makes for a great hike, for you get to see Mother Nature expose the elements of fog in your dazzling photos. Cheers and take care of that knee. Pamper it a bit to be ready for next walk/hike, eh.

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  9. I LOVE FOG!!! These images and your hike would've been so thrilling for me.

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  10. You are always so positive and upbeat.

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  11. That fog adds a whole new dimension to the view. Beautiful!

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  12. Oh, bah, humbug! All that climb and no view. Glad you got to the cabin and had a relaxing lunch. That' quite th distance and a lot of up and down. It will keep you fit, but might give your knee a fit.

    blessings and Bear hugs!

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  13. Dear DJan, Hooray! You had a great day, even with no view of Mt. Baker. Those photographs and your writing about the fog brought to mind Carl Sandburg's well-known poem about fog. It surely does "creep" in. Peace.

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  14. Not everyday you get to hike in the clouds. Ok it was fog but one could imagine. I admit to being a bit of a fog person. It adds mystery to an ordinary day.

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  15. I like the foggy photos - not very good for the walkers though.

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  16. I know it has to be disappointing for you mountain climbers not to get to see the view. Still looked like such a good day and the rain waited until you were almost done. :)

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  17. It was a beautiful view last year, I recall it but went back to look anyway! Eight miles...you are a trooper:)

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