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| Melanie on the Hemlock trail |
My friend Melanie texted me yesterday and told me to meet her at the Chuckanut trailhead, one of our favorite places to hike these days. She also said we'd have a couple of other people join us: Sue (who did a long hike with Mel on Monday) and Al, who is slowly getting back in the groove of a weekly hike. Also in the parking lot were two more Senior Trailblazers, who went off for a much longer (and faster) hike than ours.
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| Polka dots? |
Al is wearing a new mask, one made by his wife. I complimented him on the polka dots, but he said no, those were supposed to be Covid viruses. In any event, it's a good look for him. It was raining lightly for much of the early part of our hike, but he was more than prepared, including with waterproof overmitts.
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| Huckleberry Point |
Our first destination was up to Huckleberry Point, and since there was no view whatsoever, I took a picture of a fallen mossy branch, with a bit of the bench (also mossy) on the right side of the picture. The trail was plenty muddy, but it was still nice to be out and not fending off a downpour.
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| Mel assisting |
We decided to head from there down to see Chuckanut Falls, which we knew would be pretty full with all the rain. We encountered two women on horseback who were helping to open up the trail by sawing through big fallen logs. That's Mel helping to move that big section of log out of the path.
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| Chuckanut Falls |
The falls were indeed very impressive, filled with lots of roaring water. I've seen this scene when the falls were no more than a trickle, but today it was just beautiful. We have more rain in the forecast, which should increase the volume even more.
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| Fog amongst the trees |
We didn't go all that far today, but it was definitely a delightful way to wind up an unusual year of hiking. We covered 5.5 miles and a bit of elevation (I'm not sure exactly how much). We also enjoyed the company and the shortened distance on a mostly dry day. I always have a great time when I'm able to hike with little to no discomfort and with fun friends, like today's.
:-)
Happy hiking in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou had a New Year's Eve hike! Good for you! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great end to 2020. I appreciate the waterfall photo because we've only seen it in July when it was just a trickle.
ReplyDeleteYou are the greatest hiker I know!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing another glorious outing.
ReplyDeleteI like your statement about little or no discomfort. One of the challenges of hiking is to keep going even when the going gets tough. All the best to you in 2021.
ReplyDeleteI look at that first photo and I realize how much I long for a walk in the woods, for some forest bathing, as they say.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someday again.
I always love reading about your hikes! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds beautiful. Thank you so much for taking us along - and a very Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Linda. I love how you’re able to forest bathed every week. Happy New Year, DJan!
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to read how much you enjoy your hikes in such a gorgeous area of the USA.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY New Year D J. I look forward to your adventures in 2021.
So glad you got to enjoy the hike on the last day of the year. I was surprised about the horses and impressed with the ladies clearing the downed trees. I have always thought that trail was wonderful for hiking, never really thought about how cool it would also be on horseback. Make 2021 a wonderful year.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit strange (but nice) seeing all this green...in the not so magical world of Pittsburgh, we just have snow and lots of bare trees! DJan, you truly do amaze me. (As do the women on horseback moving downed trees?!) I'm very glad you got to do (and continue to do) what you love best, well, second best to jumping out of planes and I think you're dear & terrific and I hope you have a Happy New Year in 2021 :^)
ReplyDeleteHappy trails in 2021! I wish for you health and continued outdoor happiness.
ReplyDeleteThose trees are beautiful. I copied two pictures of your trees to place in my tree document so I can go and look at them when I feel too closed inside (which is most of the time!)
ReplyDeleteYou walked 5.5 miles? Walking to where the explosion was in Nashville from my home is only 3.5 miles and I think that is far. You are fortunate to live in such an outstanding area for hikes, and then have the kindness to bring back photos. But then you decided to move there – I had no choice to move to Nashville, unfortunately. Hopefully 2021 will be better and we will all be able to get out in the outdoors. Wishing you many lovely hikes in 2021 and much fun.
Happy new year! Glad to see Al out with his polka dots. :)
ReplyDeleteI don’t think there is any better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It looks like such fun, Jan, and inspiring beauty to boot.
ReplyDeleteCute polka dot mask. Happy new year! Aloha from Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteSure glad you like to be out in that weather, I couldn't do it. The sun was shining here on New Year's Day, and I did rake leaves in the morning, but the wind blew in and kept me couch-bound the rest of the day. That's okay, though, as I have a really good book to read. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteChuckanut Falls ... impressive indeed!
ReplyDeleteI had intended to find my way over here on December 1 to wish you a Happy Birthday 🎁🎂🎈! Pretty sure I never got here, so I’m greeting you now! I don’t see you on Facebook any longer, but I seem to live there now, as Nancy A. Peterson.
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