Thursday, November 3, 2016

A really wonderful day

Trailblazers heading up the Goat Mountain trail
Fifteen Senior Trailblazers met to explore where we might go today, our first sunny and non-rainy Thursday in more than a month. We decided to head to one of our favorite places, Goat Mountain, up the Mt. Baker Highway. This picture was taken on the trail right after our first shedding of coats. Although it's November, and we were already up in elevation by a couple thousand feet, it was amazingly warm.
Up the trail we went
I saw these leaves on the trail under a deciduous tree, but most of the trees on this trail are evergreens. As we hiked upwards, we were reminded of the incredible amount of rain this area received during October. I've never seen so much moisture on this trail, and the streams we crossed were swollen and roaring. I like to think of this 3-and-a-half mile trail as having three parts: first through a lovely wooded forest, then through a wet and marshy section, and the final one in the meadow that takes us to the overlook, our destination.
Logs of mud
As we climbed in altitude, we got more and more muddy places to cross, but onward we climbed, until we reached the final third, the ascent through the meadow. Very steep.
Climbing through the meadow to the overlook
Although when we started the hike the skies were clear, because of all the moisture in the atmosphere as we climbed, we saw plenty of clouds among the periods of full sunshine we enjoyed. When you're climbing uphill, you don't mind clouds because they keep the temperature down. It was actually quite perfect hiking conditions.
Doug and Ellen in front of Mt. Sefrit
And then we reached the overlook, our lunch destination. You can see there's a little snow underfoot, but I suspect most of it is gone because of the warm rain that has been falling up here for some time now. Time for lunch!
Our lunch spot, and Mt. Baker is hiding behind those clouds
There was a little breeze, but nothing we couldn't handle as we settled in for a nice lunch break. The clouds came and went and I tried to capture Mt. Baker when she would allow a little peek of her summit behind the clouds, but it wasn't easy. You can see, however, we had a nice place for our rest spot.
Doug enjoying the view
Here's Doug enjoying the wonderful view while we stopped for lunch. I think those clouds were nothing short of amazing. In the picture below, looking out at Mt. Sefrit, Peggy and Richard are also enjoying the view.
Peggy and Richard with Mt. Sefrit behind
And reluctantly, we realized it was time to start back down the trail and retrace our steps back to the cars. It had been a wonderful trip to one of our most favorite spots, with some of our favorite people. Before we started back down, I captured this picture of Carol.
Dear Carol looking glamorous
Although she might not like it, I simply love this picture of her and after I finish with this post, it's going on Facebook, whether she likes it or not. That is Mt. Sefrit on the left and Mt. Shuksan on the right. We covered seven-plus miles and almost 3,000 feet elevation gain and loss before we got back to the cars. It was a wonderful late-season trip to the High Country, one I will not soon forget!
:-)

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful lunch spot! Love those snow-covered mountains. Glad you had good weather for your hike.

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  2. It's a beautiful time of year to do some hiking. I suppose there could have been lots of snow on this trail at this time of year.

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  3. Wonderful scenery as a reward for your strenuous hike. And sunshine!

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  4. The mountains are incredible. Close nature and sharing it with others is a taste of heaven in my book.

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  5. Just beautiful! Wish I was there to enjoy it with you :-) Thanks for sharing DJan.

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  6. her beaming smile sums up the pretty views perfectly. :)

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  7. Wonderful post, I love all the pictures. Sounds like another great hike. On the map it looks like you drove quite a distance to get there. It's a great season for hiking here too (until we get snow), and I was out on a long (for me) very up and down hill hike yesterday too, mostly through beautiful deciduous forest.

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  8. I don't think of "mountains" and "glamorous" as going together ... but you made it happen!

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  9. Looks like one of the driest days you have had in a while with lots of sun and great views. Lots of happy faces.

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  10. carol does look glamorous she could be in an add for jackets! Another great hike with beautiful views! Thank you for sharing:)

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  11. Fabulous weather and beautiful scenery. Perfect day.

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  12. Yes, it's a great picture of Carol. What a muddy stretch! I never think of the mountains as being muddy, I guess. Looks like the perfect day. :)

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  13. Pretty photos of a day well spent.

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  14. I love reading about your weekly hikes.The scenery is superb no matter what the weather is like.

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  15. You live in such a beautiful area! I love those mountains! Thank you for sharing your day!

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  16. What a lovely hike. I got excited when I saw the snow.....that'll be happening here soon. It must be tricky hiking in that mud. The clouds and people were captured quite nicely as always. I enjoy your hiking posts very much DJan. Have a wonderful day.

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  17. I think its the elevation gain that would do me in... but I love the concept. :)

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  18. Sitting in a glorious high altitude spot and looking across at even higher mountains is awesome. I understand why everyone is smiling!

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