Thursday, April 5, 2012

Chuckanut Ridge

Eleven Senior Trailblazers met to hike the Chuckanut Ridge today. This is the start of the trip from Arroyo Park. It's rated hard, and I went back to past year's hikes to remind myself why (we did this trek in March 2011 and March 2010). What I remembered most about this particular trip is all the ups and downs, with little to no level ground. We began on the Interurban trail and took a side trip up the Salal trail that added another mile.
I noticed that last year I took a picture in this exact same spot, because it's a particularly strenuous uphill followed by an exposed section with a precipitous drop. (Last year's post shows it better, but you get the picture. Peggy has been on all three hikes, I see.) Today's weather forecast was sort of in the middle: maybe some sun, maybe some rain. We got no rain, although the last few days have been pretty darn wet, and at the beginning of the day we hoped for views but instead got a bit of fog rolling in.
Our trail is on the right, and the fog obscured any views we might have had, but we were all in a pretty good mood since it wasn't RAINING. After this picture it was a bit on the cool side; even though we continued to keep moving. We knew that by noon we would make it to Gates Overlook for lunch. By the time I took this picture, my stomach was making editorial comments (Hey, I'm hungry!).
Once we got to Gates Overlook, the skies were beginning to clear and we actually had some view of Bellingham Bay. From this point on, we had more and more sunshine to lighten our moods. We started our downward trip back to the cars. Although we missed a shortcut, it still wasn't unpleasant as we hiked the trails. I was beginning to get a bit tired and my back hurt quite a lot, so Mike was sweet enough to carry my pack down the last couple of miles.
By the time we got to the stream on the home stretch, there was much more sun than clouds. Now, as I'm sitting at my still functioning iMac and writing this post, it's almost all sun and just a few little white puffies making an appearance. It's simply a beautiful day. Holly was on today's hike, and she sent me her GPS coordinates, showing that we went more than twelve miles (by her estimation). Al's GPS showed a more likely 11.2 miles, but both showed that we went up and down more than 3,000 feet of elevation. That's definitely considered to be "hard." Here's Holly's track record:
You see it was an out-and-back trip, mostly. My knees are complaining a bit, and my back is complaining a lot. Without the poles, I couldn't have completed it today, I'm convinced. But even so, going such a distance and returning to the cars in one piece is worth some congratulations to all of us. Frank, being 81, was slowing down a bit at the end, but he was still smiling when we reached the cars. I have a few years before I'm there, but he is an inspiration. If I just keep on hiking, perhaps I'll be writing about it in another decade or so. I hope so.
:-)

24 comments:

  1. All I got to say is, you are tough old birds.

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  2. That is so beautiful. My body would be shrieking so I am really grateful that you did the trek for me. Thanks. Lots.

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  3. Ooh, since I'm not a lover of heights, the shot of the side trail made me shudder, but ooooh, what spectacular views lie beyond !!
    You never cease to amaze me with your stamina, and perseverance.
    Such exciting hikes with friends.
    ~Jo

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  4. According to your pictures this is one of your more beautiful hikes. Some of this is scrambling so that's hard. You also have the exposure so it was an interesting hike.

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  5. whew...hot bath and rest those knees...the trail def looks challenging...thank goodness for no rain..and for still functioning iMacs

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  6. I would not like to come back down that scrambling part you show in the pic.And I agree, you are all tough old birds!

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  7. You are a dedicated bunch. Don't know how you manage that tough trek. Sore knees are no fun - rest up. I'm sure you'll be on the move again soon.

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  8. Whoa! Here I've been mightily impressed with your endeavors and discover that Frank is 81!!! He is a hero! Wow! That one photo sure shows the steep terrain.

    Good for you, to keep going, despite the pain and agony. I've been back to the pool three times this week and I finally felt like it's making a difference today. I just have to be more like you DJan, and get myself out there!

    Keep inspiring us, and we'll keep reading!

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  9. that is absolutely amazing! you are quite the hardy, adventurous STUBBORN group! yikes!

    the photo between the pines is just gorgeous!

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  10. I say kudos to all of you! Wow! I'd have to be 20 years younger to have made that hike. (My body has been uncooperative for some time--LOL!) Looks like a gorgeous trail, but steep. I love it when you can look down over those high lakes. Beautiful!

    Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! :)

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  11. Amazing!! The whole lot of you! Amazing! :))
    The photos are great, too!!

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  12. Sorry to hear about your back ache. Did you pull a muscle, or is it something more serious? My lower back always hurts when I bend down for long periods of time, which is why I don't like to garden.

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  13. Good for you and good for Frank! What a beautiful hike and how great that you challenge yourselves! Happy spring!

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  14. All beautiful photos, love the Bellingham Bay and the moss on the trees - Vibrant Greens. WOW, that scrambling looks steep - that must have been fun to come back down. I am sure my back n knees would be sore too. I remember you said this was a steep "Up n Down" hike - YAH, I agree. Whether you have gone there before or not DJan - it is always refreshing to read and its not the same olde photos - they change too. Great post - thank you for sharing with us :)

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  15. Mmmmmmmm, can a hike be considered "yummy"? This one definitely is. I LOVE FOG!!! That one image just left me breathless...foggy mountain.

    The first image of the trail...beautiful....the overlook looking to the bay...stunning....everything on your post today DJan, priceless.

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  16. I think I remember the drop off fro this hike..I would have crawled..and bawled:(
    You were hurting..what is up with that..new boots? or just a hard hike? Good thing Mike carried your pack..he is a doll..thanks Mike for helping our dear DJan! :)

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  17. those views are a wonderful reward for all that climbing

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  18. Very pretty route but it looks hard to do, as you say. I hope your back is ok tomorrow.

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  19. Wow, this is just gorgeous! It wears me out, just watching you all climb up!

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  20. Beautiful as alway DJan. At that distance and with all the up and down, I doubt I'd chuckanut.... more likely both wheels.

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  21. I can understand why your back and knees are complaining. All that up and down hill with no flat areas to let you 'rest' are definitely a hard hike.

    I hope you are still writing a decade or so from now DJan, I will be here to read about your adventures.

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  22. Hey! Get Frank over here. I want to bow down before him. Well, before all of you, really.
    Beautiful hike, beautiful day, beautiful people.

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  23. Love the pics. But the drop-offs would keep me off that trail. There are cliff magnets there, waiting to suck me over.

    Linda the Coward

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