Thursday, February 9, 2012

Gates Overlook via Chinscraper

It wasn't a sunny day today, not at all. We never saw any sign of the sun, and a light rain fell most of the time we were hiking. This is the kind of weather we expect in February, not days and days of sunshine, so nobody was disappointed. In fact, eleven Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center and carpooled to the Clayton Beach trailhead. We walked up the old logging road until we got to the well-named trail known as Chinscraper. The picture does no justice to show you how steep it is. But we slogged uphill until we got to Gates Overlook, where there was no view at all.
Steve is pointing out what they would be able to see if it were not socked in and raining. Holly (in the red) had never been here before, so I suspect she'll want to come back one day and see what she is missing. You look out over Bellingham Bay from this spot. Sometimes we have lunch here, but today we were early, a little after ten, so we decided to trek on to Fragrance Lake, where we often have our midday break.
It is always green and lush in the Pacific Northwest, all year round. That's one thing you get from all the rain, and I really didn't mind the light on-and-off rain that fell before we got to the lake. We were all prepared with proper rain gear, and several hikers had worn their rain pants, which usually act as a deterrent to the rain, a Trailblazer superstition. They cause the wearer to overheat and the rain often doesn't materialize. I carried mine in the bottom of my pack and never felt the need to put them on.
You can see from the light raindrops on the lake that it wasn't a downpour. At least not yet. When we were on the ridge, a strong wind was making us feel pretty cold, but by the time we reached the lake, it was relatively warm and we had a very nice lunch break. However, when we started back to the cars, the rain increased in intensity and we trudged in a fairly steady rain all the way back down. One of the hikers pointed out this amusing nearsighted fungus to me, so I snapped the picture. It was not one of our group who did this, and I'm hoping the glasses were brought up there just for this purpose. There didn't seem to be prescription glass in them, or any glass for that matter.
By the time we returned to our starting point, we had traveled nine miles or just a bit less, depending on whose GPS you wanted to believe, and ascended and descended 2,150 feet of elevation. I'm plenty tired, sitting here writing the post, and tomorrow I'll be heading to Seattle to see the annual Flower Show. Of course you will be seeing the pictures. Until then, I wish you a warm and dry day!
:-)

25 comments:

  1. This is quite a different hike from your previous one! Both look beautiful. I remember Chinscraper from a previous hiking post. Love the names given to some of these places.

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  2. The lush greenery and unfrozen lake is an eye catcher for us in the frozen world. Our lakes have close to 3 ft of ice. Hiking in that much rain takes dedication.

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  3. wow def love all the fern you have...we dont have that here...and fun shot of the fungus...lol...

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  4. Nice fungi person on that tree. :)
    This place looks exceptionally beautiful, even for the northwest.

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  5. I thought the incline looked quite steep. I admire your hiking prowess. I must admit that I imagined how my legs would ache if I even attempted hiking such an incline. That being said, I'd love to get back in shape enough to do it again.

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  6. I thought that looked really steep, and not an easy walk. Loved the bespectacled fungus. Thank you for saving me the effort, and still allowing me to see this amazing place. Have a great day at the Flower Show.

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  7. Chinscraper does not look like fun! But I'm glad you did have fun. I was busy with odds and ends today and seldom noticed the weather, except to note that it seems to always be raining.

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  8. Glad you guys are used to the rain and dark climbs. The fungus glasses really cracked me up. Proof that you hiker/mountain climber folk have quiet the sense of humor. ;) Can hardly wait to see the flower show pics! :)

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  9. Wow that looks steep and slippy I just bet !
    The view of the lake is breathtakingly beautiful and serene, what beautiful vistas you are rewarded for, in your great efforts.
    Love the fungus, and so BIG !
    Thank you for sharing your amazing hikes with us.
    ~Jo

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  10. Glad to see you up and running again, DJan! Love the lake pic! 9 miles? Wonderful!

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  11. I'm loving the fungus picture. It's always interesting to find something different in an unexpected place. If I had traversed the wet wilds I'd be sacked out so I'm not surprised you're a little tired. But the Flower Show-Yay! I love it when you go and take marvelous flower photos! I can't wait to see what you capture this year.

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  12. Too bad it rained and you had no view. Bet the steep incline was a challenge. Glad you are going to Seattle to see something entrely different. Waiting eagerly for your photos!

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  13. What a gorgeous place to walk... but uphill? Whoa! You are in such amazing shape. I am so envious!

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  14. Love the nearsighted fungi!
    The first part of that trial looks pretty steep to me, looking at the way they are leaning and the angle of the poles.

    Hope you have a great time at the flower show. I'll be looking forward to some photos.

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  15. Raindrops on the pond - really nice. That trail looks steep to me - I love all the green fern and the near sited fungus - too funny, nice hike - sharp shooters:)

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  16. I swear girl....that first photo just had me panting with exertion!! My goodness...but what a scene at the top!!

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  17. Cute Fungus and love the 'Chinscraper' name!

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  18. that is steep!
    you must be in such good shape

    I love how the trees are so tall and so close together
    a family

    check out Adele on Youtube, I think you'll love her voice

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  19. the mud on that Chinscraper makes it look dangerously slippery! I think that's usually my biggest worry about hiking in the rain...

    Love the vegetation! I keep expecting a dinosaur or something to pop out, those ferns are so ancient! :o)

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  20. I can't imagine seeing so much green in the middle of winter. It would be a nice change from my Midwest brown.

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  21. Chinscraper sounds like quite a challenge especially in the rain. I bet it feels good when it's all over--kind of like going to the dentist. I have a favorite tree nearby that produces a huge yellow fungus that is different from yours so I take a picture every year to see how it changes each year.

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  22. Oh it looks so green! That trail certainly did not look easy. Next time take a little moustache to go with the glasses! A flower show yes..I am so excited to see the photos! :)

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  23. The lush green of the trail is so appealing. It seems like it was a great day, despite the sprinkles. You caught the rain drops on the water beautifully.

    Thanks for your uplifting comments on my blog. I'm still plugging away . . .

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  24. Yup, I need to be on that hill :} Actually snowing again here today. Less than an inch expected, still snowing and disappearing after it falls. *sigh* It's great !

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  25. Oh wow.. could you possibly have two more opposite moods associated with Chinscraper and Fragrance Lake? One sounds so harrowing and the other so relaxing. Love that shroom with corrected vision.

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