Thursday, April 2, 2015

Burnout Point and Fragrance Lake

The old logging road at the start of the hike
Fifteen Senior Trailblazers met this sunny morning to begin one of our usual wintertime hikes, which we call "Burnout Point from Clayton Beach." Every year we do this one, and somehow or other I always manage to forget about the first half of the hike, which is on old roads like this, and is very steep in several spots. Must be a bit like childbirth: the only reason we have siblings is that we forget how much it hurts. There were times today as I was groaning upwards, wondering how I had forgotten this little fact.
Looking out at Samish Bay
The beautiful sun we had at the beginning of the day began to deteriorate early on, as low clouds emerged to keep me from needing my sun hat, which I carried all day but never used. We always stop at this place, whether or not we have a view, and make some clothing adjustments. And then we trudge to the clearcut at the top. Today we were hoping for a view.
Nope, no view today
The fog and mist made for a rather nice view of the group, and you can see the clearcut hill behind them, with newly planted trees beginning to emerge on the bald spot. In a few years it will look much better. I hope I'll still be taking pictures so I can document the change from year to year.
Lost Lake
You can see Lost Lake from the top, too. We visit this lake at least once each winter. As you can see, we are far above it today; it doesn't look so lost in the mist. There was a bit of a breeze, making us feel rather chilly, so we didn't stick around too long. There wasn't much to see anyway. Off we went, making a loop back down a trail that took us to the south Lost Lake trail.
On our way to Fragrance Lake
We followed this trail until we reached the intersection with the Fragrance Lake trail, and we headed off to the lake for lunch. We were hoping for some sunshine as we made our way around the lake, and we did find some sun breaks among the clouds. When the sun was out, we were warm, and when it hid behind the clouds, it got quite cool.
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard
As soon as we settled down to have lunch, some obviously well-fed mallard ducks headed right over to us, hoping for a handout. We got to enjoy seeing them while we ate our lunch, and a few of us even lobbed them a couple pieces of bread. And then it was time to pack up and head back to the trailhead, down the Fragrance Lake trail.
Returning to the cars
This trail is very well used, as you can see here, but we pass through some old growth forest, and lots and lots of sword ferns. And once we got moving again, we were comfy and warm as we descended. I've been on this trail often enough that it has become familiar, and I know all the twists and turns by heart. Although we covered somewhere under ten miles (9.5), and gained and lost around 2,200 feet, I'm feeling pretty good today. On the last few hikes I've felt really spent at the end of the day while I write this post. This is a good sign, I'm thinking.
Big old tree
We always stop and look at this tree, which I now think of as Peggy's tree because she was the first one to point it out to me. It was obviously marked for logging sometime in the far past, and as you can see the mark has healed up. It's just a beautiful old tree, and I'm glad that for whatever reason we get to enjoy it today.
:-)

21 comments:

  1. really like the lost lake photo with the mist atop the mountains. and great, huge trees!

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  2. Beautiful photos, and the fog and mist makes the views spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  3. Beautiful photos, and the fog and mist makes the views spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. It's situation where you say how can you be so close yet so far away. the weather was almost great. The views were almost there. Anyway with 15 people it was a very good outing.

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  5. Another lovely hike! I wish I could've hiked today instead of sitting in the office......sigh.....

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  6. I am so glad that the loggers had a change of heart.
    Another gorgeous hike - thank you for taking my lazy self along.

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  7. I liked your comment about childbirth. However, I still do remember how labor and delivery hurt. Lol.

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  8. Another great hike! I am glad to hear that you feel okay after the hike today! Yes that must mean you are building up stamina...or feeling really good:)

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  9. Yes, glad they never cut that tree. Funny mallards looking for handouts. You guys get to see such beautiful places. :)

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  10. DJan, such an appropriate name for the place. Lovely pictures from you hike with your friends. Have a lovely Easter Weekend.

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  11. Glad I read this post this morning. You always make me feel like I've been on my walk already. Good thing today as I'm in a time crunch and can't take mine. I must say also that your walks have such breathtaking beauty. Doesn't compare to mine so glad have yours in my head to imagine.

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  12. This is such a wonderful way to keep in shape... in body and mind.

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  13. You must be getting in shape--though do you ever get out of shape? You set the bar high for us old gals.

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  14. Sounds like a great hike! Love that old tree and am glad it wasn't cut down.

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  15. That was another good work out! I do love hiking among big old trees.

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  16. I agree, it's good to feel spent at the end of the day. :)
    I LOVE the photo of Lost Lake.
    Have a wonderful Easter weekend, DJan!

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  17. It's always nice to walk a familiar path isn't it and to watch the changes brought about by the seasons and/or the company we keep. I'm glad the old tree has not been cut down yet!

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  18. Nice to see "The Mallards" in their familiar pond and I gotta say, that big ole tree is something. I feel like I know many of your trails now and I still get surprised every time you hike them, cause there is always something new arranged by Mother Nature. Happy Easter to you n yours. lol

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  19. Love the fog! And all the verdant colors that surround it. But the favorite this week is the fantastic silhouette image. That just tells the whole story in a 'nutshell'. PS...I remember the pain, lol.

    Have a joyful holiday!!

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  20. Another great hike, thanks for sharing the photos!

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