First day of fall on Church Mountain

Lesley, Mel, Chris, Ellen, me, Victoria, Carol

What a day! Only eight Trailblazers showed up on a gorgeous day to hike up Church Mountain, with seven women and Rich, who took this wonderful picture. This was also Lesley's first hike with us, and hopefully not the last, as we got ready to start out in sunshine, with a light breeze and just about perfect hiking weather.

Church Mountain meadow with Mt. Baker in clouds

We made our way up the steep forested switchbacks, and by the time we reached the meadow clouds had begun to form over the mountains. This was our third time up Church Mountain this year, and the first where we didn't see any snow at all. No bugs, and lots of blueberries on those red bushes, which we snacked on as we trudged ever upward.

Can you see our trail?

We broke into two groups after awhile, since there were four people who wanted to hike faster, and others, me included, who were pretty much at their limit of uphill speed.

That's Mel at her lunch spot

And then we were almost at the top, when I saw Mel and heard her cheering us up the last of the trail. Where you see her standing is the spot where four hikers had their lunch, while the rest of us climbed the last fifty feet to the old lookout spot. It is very exposed and not a favorite place for people with vertigo issues.

View from the top

I took several pictures here at the top before settling down for my lunch. You can see that clouds were still building but the temperature was mild and a cool breeze kept us from being uncomfortable.

Summit crew: Ellen, Chris, Rich, and me behind the camera

We had our lunch up here and then it was time to return back down to the trailhead. It is a hard hike, covering just under nine miles and just under 4,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. By the time we made it back to the cars, my knees knew they had been used, and as I sit here at home, I can feel that I got a lot of sun.

Looking the marmots

Part way back down, we heard and saw two marmots on the rocks below. Carol was listening to their calls in this picture and gesturing for quiet. They are getting ready for the change in seasons, too, and look fat and furry. I wasn't able to get a picture.

At Graham's for our ice cream

Lesley was still inside getting her ice cream, while Victoria took this picture of the rest of us. She didn't get any ice cream herself. You can see her shadow, though. It was a wonderful way to end a picture perfect day in the company of great friends, old and new.
:-)