Thursday, September 1, 2011

Goat Mountain Redux

When we tried to climb Goat Mountain in July, or at least get to the meadows (as we did today), we didn't get very far, as you can see from this post. Lots of snow, rain and zero views greeted us five weeks ago, but today the twelve of us had abundant wildflowers, which seems to be the trend for the last few weeks.
One thing I have to say about the slow start to the summer (which is now almost over) is that the wildflowers that we saw today, September 1, are not what I would have expected to see at all on this hike. We still have spring wildflowers, like columbine, giving us awe-inspiring views such as the one above. Forest, mountains, and flowers: who could ask for more? We expected full sunshine, but the clouds kept us cool as we climbed the four miles to the high meadow. We had great views of Siefert and Shuksan, which you can see behind Linda here:
The cloudy skies also kept us from overheating as we climbed 3,000 feet to this lunch spot. It was cool once we reached this place, as the brisk wind and clouds dropped the temperature low enough that we all donned our fleece and jackets as we enjoyed our lunch. We had a brand-new member join us today, Jonelle (I hope I spelled it right), who moved to Bellingham from Seattle only a few weeks ago! She's the one here with Diane and "the boys" Mike and Fred behind her. It turns out she is an accomplished hiker, who has led many a hike before today's. We enjoyed meeting her and hope she returns!
I can't help but brag about the picture of me in front of Mt. Shuksan that Diane took today. She tells me that she should receive any royalties I might garner from the cool shot that makes me feel like a movie star! I'm putting it in here because, well, I LOVE it! It embodies my chutzpah, don't you think?
If you enlarge this picture, right about in the middle of the picture on Shuksan's flank (level with my brilliant smile), you can see Lake Price. I was amazed to see this lake, which I had never noticed (or seen) before. I heard people talking about the view of it from this vantage point, so I had to share it with you.
We headed back down to the cars, reluctantly leaving all the flowers behind but hoping for a little bit of warmth as we began to exert ourselves once again. And sure enough, not long after this picture was taken, we had the opportunity to shed our jackets as we got back into the trees and out of the wind. The hike was, as Al said, "an honest eight miles." After the tough hikes we have had the last two times, I must admit it didn't faze me. Am I getting stronger or just more accustomed to the exertion? Hard to say. In any event, it was another successful and renewing day.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. To me the flowers in mountain meadows are unforgettable. Thanks for the pictures. These plants have a very short growing season. Here at the higher elevations we are getting killing frosts. The last few days there has been snow at higher elevations.

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  2. Oh, oh, oh! I love the flowers! And the views too! What a great hike.

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  3. Stunning (you AND the scenery. LOL) Love, love the wildflowers on the mountainside. Mother Nature is amazing.

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  4. Loved it. The scenery, the flowers, the energy you share. Thank you so much.

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  5. Good for you! Glad you enjoyed the hike.

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  6. I am amazed at all the wildflowers you are seeing on your hikes DJan. It wasn't that long ago you were showing us snow.

    I love that photo of you and the mountains!

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  7. Just love that picture of you!! :):)
    The fields of wildflowers are just beautiful and do remind me more of spring than fall. What absolutely gorgeous views...but I still couldn't tell where the lake was when I enlarged it--LOL!
    I just feel fortunate to be able to vicariously hike along with you. One of these times you should try a hiking video! ;)

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  8. The flowers, Lake Price and You are stunning, DJan!

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  9. That is a very showy-off picture of your D-Jan and just to please you, I enlarged it twice, once to get a really good close look at you (smile) and secondly to take another look at the lake, which I would never have noticed if you hadn't said!
    If anything would get me up one of those mountains, it would be those gorgeous alpine flowers. Just wonderful, they are!!!
    Loved the hike today but feeling a little tired now. (wink)

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  10. What a great day.. great scenery.. great portrait of you! Fun stuff.

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  11. WOW!!You go girl! The wildflowers are also glam. It sounds like a great day.

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  12. more wonderful wild flowers!

    and then - The Goddess of Chutzpah :)
    love it

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  13. That's a splendid picture of you! I'm always amazed when I blow them up and don't see a drop of sweat on any of the hikers. The air must be glorious...and everyone in great shape!

    Have a wonderful weekend. xo

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  14. Trust me, Karena, we all sweat, and profusely. But it is mostly dried off by the time we get to our lunch destination, more so on this hike because it was COLD up there with the wind blowing. We just bundled up really quickly.

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  15. I am struck by how much the mountainsides look like spring. The flowers are just beautiful. I guess in the mountains it is spring. There are really only two seasons that high up.

    Oh, and you, my jaunty hiker, are just stunning.

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  16. What a beautiful hike, amongst those wild flowers, and what a view of that mountain lake. And who's the glamorous babe with the cool kerchief? Nice outdoor shot! :)

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  17. Fantastic pictures. The flowers in your area of the country are just stunning. Then again, so is your physical stamina!

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  18. You Rock! That is a great shot of you;) You are finally getting more shots of yourself, and I like it!
    I have to wonder how much longer these flowers are going to bloom since they started so late...Will you still have these beauties into October? I've wondered the same thing about here because some of our stuff hasn't bloomed until the last few weeks, a couple of months behind schedule.

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  19. i would take those mountain flowers any day...great shot of you as well...

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  20. Actually I'm thinking you and that mountain were making "chutzpah" look good. I'd call it confidence. :)

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  21. Beautiful wildflowers! In September!

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  22. Oh what a show off..but I love your photo! Those wildflowers are beautiful..how wonderful to have seen all those colors on the hillside..perfect! :)

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  23. The wildflowers are stunning, but that picture of you dims their light by a bunch. Such a great shot! The hike sounds like it was especially satisfying.

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