Thursday, August 7, 2014

Skyline Divide 2014

Lupine and bistort flowers
Today was expected to be partly cloudy (it was) and cooler than what we have experienced recently, when nineteen of us (nineteen!) headed up to Skyline Divide in the Mt. Baker Wilderness. I just reviewed previous years' posts, and the most we've ever had on this hike before today was 16. The wilderness requires groups to be fewer than 12, so we broke into two groups, and I led the "faster" group up the trail while Al took the "slower" group. We had five new hikers that we had never met before, and they all joined Al's group.
Mt. Baker with her hat on
After climbing a bit more than two miles, you break out into this wonderful meadow with views all around, with trails dotting the area going every which-way. We decided we would hike over to the ridge and follow it for a couple more miles or so before stopping for lunch. We knew that Al's group would be coming up the same way, and that we would probably meet them at some point.
Walking carefully across a traverse
It was a truly lovely day, and all the hikers in my group were well known to me, so there weren't really any slowpokes or surprises. We decided we would hike until noon and then stop for lunch. That's just what we did. The views were incredible, as we knew they would be, and when we found our lunch spot, a light breeze on our sweaty bodies made it almost cold, but nobody put on any more clothes (except for Mikey, that is).
Carol, Chris, Peggy, Rita, Ward and Mikey
We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and then turned to begin our return trip. On the way back, we ran into the others that had hiked about three miles to join us. We, the other group, only went about a half-mile further. We pretended not to know them, since we were supposed to be separated, but frankly at this point nobody cared all that much. We were having too good a time to worry about a little thing like rules and regulations.
Jacqueline, Peggy, Carol (or are they wildlife?)
We decided maybe it was a good idea to break up into groups based on car passengers, so that each group could hike down at its own pace and we wouldn't look too suspicious. It worked out great, and nine of us (two cars out of five) were left to travel back the way we had come, and we were even legal!
Pink heather surrounded by white heather
Have I mentioned how amazing the flowers are right now? I saw this pink heather standing out amongst the gorgeous white heather, and I am thrilled to see that maybe you, my reader, can get just a glimpse of how beautiful it was on Skyline Divide today. By next week it will look different, but we all felt more than a bit grateful that we were there at this point in time.
Tightening our shoelaces
A trick that many of us know is to stop and re-tighten one's shoelaces before beginning the two-mile trek downward from the ridge. (It keeps your toes from running up against the end of your boot.) That's what we were doing in this picture before heading back to our cars. In a way, it was difficult to leave this beautiful place, but we knew that we had a long drive back home, and it was already long past midday. I know it's hard for some to realize it, but we are losing three minutes of daylight every single day at this latitude.

So off we went to our respective homes, and I have just finished my wine as I finish up this post, with around another seven miles and 2,500 feet under my belt, feeling quite satisfied and happy with another wonderful day spent in the wilderness with good weather and good friends.
:-)

21 comments:

  1. (or are they wildlife - too funny!) nice save, rule followers! :)

    i was hooked with the first view!

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  2. Oh my. Even from my chair those are WONDERFUL views. Thank you.

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  3. ha. what rebels you are...breaking the rules...what gorgeous scenery...the fields and flowers esp...def a day to be savored...

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  4. Wow. What a beautiful way to spend the day ... any day ...

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  5. Beautiful flowers, I especially enjoyed the Pink Heather amongst the white...but I bet you knew that! Another beautiful hike! I wonder why so many rules on the number in a group...it is the same number of people..but in two groups...hardly makes sense to me...but I suppose rules are rules and it must make sense to someone:)

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  6. Naughty hikers breaking those rules and working on ways not to get caught. :)

    You got some awesome shots DJan. I love the wildflowers.

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  7. This was a most colourful day, hiking on the mountain and Mt. Baker with a hat on. The colours are so vivid and I have enjoyed very much this virtual trip with the ??law breakers. he,he Have a wonderful day.

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  8. Wow....stunning images. Great commentary. But the wildflowers just steal the show today. At least for me.

    PS...rules are just guidelines, meant to be broken. Right?

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  9. What a beautiful hike with excellent weather and great friends! You are to be envied, DJan.

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  10. Wonderful hike as always. And I learned what a traverse on a mountain looks like. Point being I'm thinking of buying Chevies version of the same name....:)

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  11. Mountain flowers are impressive as there are so many of them. Description never does justice to them. There are also huge populations of birds in these meadows...mostly sparrows.

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  12. Beautiful scenery and flowers again. That was quite a group!

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  13. I don't think I've ever seen wild Heather - beautiful scenes.
    Even though groups are supposed to be under a certain number, I think it's fantastic that NINETEEN of you were out to enjoy this place & time of fresh air activity.

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  14. These are such beautiful photos. I'm sure the scenery was wonderful. The air looks so clean and pristine, totally unlike our hot, smoke-leaden air here in the San Joaquin Valley. The fires have finally been contained in Yosemite, but we are still feeling the effects of the bad air. Enjoy your lovely, cool days.

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  15. What a gorgeous alpine meadow you have pictured! Looks like it would have been a wonderful walk. Even an old Bear could probably have done that.

    Blessings and Bear hugs, DJan.

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  16. After seeing the traverse, I now know why you should walk softly (or carefully) but carry a big stick!

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  17. All those wildflowers are as breathtaking as the mountains! I think it's funny that you guys had to pretend not to know each other. Wonderful day! Great pics to share with your fellow cyber travelers. :)

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  18. It is the flowers that would draw me to the mountains and that hike! Lovely!

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  19. Wow.. what a beautiful spot. You took such lovely photos. That's a good trick to know, if I'm ever trudging downhill. Of course I'd be more impressed with the fact that I got myself uphill in the first place. Thanks for this beautiful post.

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  20. That pink heather with the white heather around it is really amazing. LOVE LOVE these photos, DJan!

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