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| Al and Rich leading the Intrepid Nine |
Who can second guess the Senior Trailblazers? Last week when the weather (and forecast) were for sunny skies, only six showed up. Today, when the weather forecast was beastly, with intermittent to heavy rain expected for the entire day, nine of us met to tackle the Rock Trail and Gates Overlook from the Larrabee parking lot across from Clayton Beach.
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| Nice little waterfall near the beginning |
We groused about the weather, but we were all prepared with plenty of rain gear, and it was only lightly sprinkling when we set out. We all had our pack covers on, raincoats at the ready, only to be happily disappointed with mud puddles from the previous night's downpour but no rain to speak of. We expected it momentarily, so of course it never came.
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| Red tree wood |
Look at the color of this tree bark. Steve said it is a red aster, but I couldn't find anything on line about this tree. It had been cut into pieces because it obviously had fallen across the trail and had been moved to the side of the trail. It's an amazing color, whatever the tree. Perhaps one of my commenters has an idea.
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| Rock Trail |
This hike takes us down the Lost Lake trail and up to the Rock Trail, which always allows us to enjoy these massive and beautiful sandstone cliffs. It's a fairly new trail, and I never tire of seeing the views of moss, rock, ferns, and its magnificence.
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| Looking at a lovely scene on the Rock Trail |
Although we never saw the sun, we never saw the rain. We also heard some strong wind in the trees above us, and occasionally we would feel the strength of it. And then we would be protected and only heard it as it roared overhead. The Rock Trail ends at Gates Overlook, where, wonder of wonders, we had a view!
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| The view from Gates Overlook |
We are looking out at Bellingham Bay, with the sky showing some clouds, but nothing threatening. We had a nice lunch here, and then headed down the road to the Fragrance Lake trail and made a nice loop of more than 8 miles, maybe even another half mile or so, with 2,500 feet of elevation gain and loss. Nothing to sneeze at, a fine day, with great company, and guess what?
When we reached the cars, it started to rain. Yes, we were blessed today with mild temperatures, a breeze that stayed out of our way most of the day, and rain that also waited until we were done. I am still smiling as I sit here writing this post. Yes, a very good day.
:-)
Well, weren't you lucky! It has been a very wet day here south of Seattle, one I have spent mostly indoor except when I ventured out to the grocery store. Exercising was done in the garage on the stationary bike.
ReplyDeleteGlad you hear you escaped the torrent.
Maybe the lesson here is to ignore the weather forecast! The red in that tree is exquisite!
ReplyDeleteHave you looked at the Madrones (Arbutus) tree? I learned about the app 'Like That Garden' from reading Kay's blog Musings. With this app on your phone you make a picture of the plant in question & the app identifies it. I took a photo of your photo & got the Madrones (Arbutus) tree as one suggestion. Granted, it's asking a lot of an app to identify a photo of a photo.
ReplyDeleteThis was your lucky day! Often we are too cautious and stay home and miss a good day. Not you though!
ReplyDeleteTo be prepared for inclement weather and not to get it is a BIG plus! I really enjoyed the photos. What a lush green world you inhabit. I like that you go no matter what. Look what you would have missed!
ReplyDeleteYou always seem to be so lucky with the weather, and so well prepared it doesn't matter anyway!
ReplyDeleteInteresting wood! I wonder if you can carve it? Madrone was the first thing I though of. Eight miles...you guys rock!! That is a pretty waterfall too! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with another...above...Madrone
ReplyDeleteThose are such beautiful views of nature at its finest.
ReplyDeleteThat red log looks like a chunk of red meat!
ReplyDeleteDJan, you certainly live in a beautiful area. I love your pics... as always.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad the rain waited for you all to finish your hike so that you could get all these amazing shots!! The red tree--wow! Never have seen anything like it. All the pictures were breathtaking. :)
ReplyDeleteI admire your determination. I am too often deterred by a bad forecast. So glad you proved them wrong. That waterfall looks magical.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if we PNW'ers stayed home every time it rained we'd never do any hiking! :) Way to get out there despite the forecast!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! It all looks so gorgeous. You live in such a beautiful part of our country. Your photos always blow me away. We can never trust the weather forecast here in Hawaii. You are the most intrepid hikers around.
ReplyDeleteglad the weather held off. :) that red aster is pretty! i always love the moss and ferns you have, too.
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