Thursday, August 18, 2011

Why is it called Welcome Pass?

Mike, Diane, Amy, Peggy, Fred, me, Al
Today only seven Senior Trailblazers headed up Welcome Pass to this wonderful view, for several reasons. One, when we met this morning at the Senior Center, four people who talked with us about the difficulty of this hike decided to go instead on the easier hike to Heart Lake. I've done Welcome Pass twice before: the first time I could not walk for three days, my legs were so sore. And last year, we got to the pass on a cold foggy day, with no view. That was not what we met today!
Shuksan and flowers
This is by far the latest time in the season that we've tried this hike, and the weather could not have been more beautiful. By the time we had climbed the 67 switchbacks to the pass, the weather was not only cooperating, but the snow levels were far lower than last year's. (Of course, last year we hiked it in mid-June, not mid-August.)
The pass (below us in this picture) was still covered with snow, but bore little resemblance to what we had encountered in previous years. Today, when we hiked up this ridge to get a better view, the vista that opened itself up to us was nothing short of spectacular. The flowers were not only amazing, but the light breeze that greeted us while we sat and had our lunch was perfect: not too much, and with the sun shining I was in perfect comfort. Although it was not an easy day, by any means, we were all smiles and filled with gratitude for our beautiful day by the time we headed back down to our cars.
Here you see Al beginning our trek back down, with the view of Baker and Shuksan (and so many other peaks) so amazing that we lingered for quite awhile on this ridge. We knew we had 3,400 feet (more than 1,000 meters) of elevation to descend before we would be back to the trailhead and our cars. We started down with lots of excitement, but by the time we had only a short mile left to go, nobody was talking: we were all hoping our bodies would make it before we collapsed. I myself was wondering if my knees would continue to carry me, and I fear that if it had been just a bit longer we would have been reduced to several whimpering Trailblazers, vowing never to do this hike again.
But the views we had today carried us for quite a ways, and the flowers and vistas that I saw on the summit kept me moving forward when the going was tough on the way down. Although we only covered seven miles today, the elevation was so steep, both ways, that I think we should be allowed to add another three miles or so onto the trip! Now that I am home, looking at my pictures and sipping my wine, life feels almost back to normal. But tomorrow: will I feel like heading to the gym or not?
:-)

25 comments:

  1. goodness the view of the mountains across the flowers are just gorgeous...thing i would go no matter the exertion

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  2. Mountain meadows and flowers are spectacular. Great photos.People who have never been above the tree line don't know what they're missing.
    The hardest part of the hike is the way down. Most accidents happen on the way down because of fatigue.

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  3. Oh my.. that 2nd image is just stunning! What a beautiful day you had. I hope your muscles are in agreement tomorrow.

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  4. Those views! The wildflowers! The exertion! That was a well deserved glass (or two?) of wine. Wow.

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  5. That photo of Shuksan and flowers is spectacular. If you don't feel like going to the gym, I say you've earned a day off. The body needs to heal, after all.

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  6. Gorgeous photos! I LOVE alpine meadow flowers!
    Coming back down is definately the hard part. The views and the exhilaration or reaching the top are behind you and each jarring step back down takes it's toll on the body.
    I hope you recover quickly.

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  7. Oh my gosh! This is absolutely spectacular! What amazing photos! I LOVE the wildflowers. I'd almost... almost be willing to hike up there just to see those wildflowers. Wow! I can't remember being anywhere where there were that many flowers all around. I love it. Thanks for sharing these with us.

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  8. That view is absolutely gorgeous DJan. I am just amazed at all the wildflowers, I adore your second photo.

    It sounds like you had a great hike, hope you won't be too sore today.

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  9. Your beautiful photos make me want to sing "The hills are alive with the sound of music"...do you guys ever break out in song with such glorious views, DJan?

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  10. i think that you must live in the most beautiful part of the world! What a play ground!!

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  11. Those are truly wild flowers probably never seen by human eyes before. What a treat.

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  12. Wildflowers in a mountain meadow sounds divine. Looks divine. What an amazing view and experience.

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  13. I'm tired just looking at the photos. I know if I were to build up to a hike like that I would love it. Thanks for showing what it looks like up there.

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  14. These pics remind me of the opening scenes of the movie, The Sound of Music, which was filmed in the Alps. Simply gorgeous, DJan! Thanks so much!

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  15. What a difference a few months makes in the mountains! I loved the wild flowers. The view of Shuksan and the flowers is just amazing.

    I hate coming down off of a steep mountain. In fact, the descent from the first and last 14er I hiked is still a painful memory. It ended my hiking career. It was so steep coming down, I foolishly walked sideways. My knee cap consequently had to be repaired. I thought I might have to crawl down off that mountain.

    I see you hike with hiking sticks. That is smart!

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  16. I like to enlarge your photos to see the gorgeous scenery. I wonder when you go on these hikes if there are other hiking groups on the mountains at the same time. The trails seem worn so there must be many groups hiking the same trails. It sounds worth the effort for that panorama.

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  17. I love when the green and the snow meet
    it's so wonderful
    the shot of you all surrounded by tall grass and wild flowers is so lovely

    and thanks again for the kind words for my son
    I showed him some of your hiking photos and he said - "tell her she's beautiful"

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  18. Congratulations on winning the photo contest with your lovely little hummer and penstemon! I was pulling for you.

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  19. The second photo of Shuksan and flowers is another award winner. It's absolutely mind-blowing beauty.

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  20. That view is spectacular! The photo with the flowers is really something! What a beautiful hike. Next time stop and rest a bit and have something to drink and have a snack. :)

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  21. What a gorgeous day you had! I hope you were able to walk on Friday! I'm so impressed with your stamina. You continue to amaze me!

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  22. I'm so glad I popped over from Eye on the Edge to see more pictures and to understand what an accomplishment this hike is for all ages! Spectacular views and wildflowers.
    This summer on our trip to the baby hills of North Carolina where I go for walks daily, for the first time in my life my knees started to give out on the downhills, and ache afterward. It was a very sobering and frustrating experience. I'm not ready for equipment failure yet!
    Thanks for sharing with us, and hoping your knees hold out for many years to come.

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  23. Looks like quite a bit of snow for this time of year here in the northwest. What a gorgeous hike! You timed it perfectly for the flowers.

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  24. Wow, wow, wow!! What a magnificent view. I would be in traction had I joined you on your beautiful trek!

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  25. stunning. gorgeous. breathtaking...

    words aren't enough!

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