Thursday, June 30, 2016

Hannegan Pass on a fabulous day

Trailblazers on the path
Fifteen Senior Trailblazers met at the Senior Center to figure out how to manage our scheduled hike up Hannegan Pass and Peak. Three people decided to take a separate car and go on up to the peak and set out right away, since we are limited to 12 per group, a wilderness designation restriction. (I found out from Al that it is the US Forest Service that has this written into law.) The rest of us would hike to the pass and skip the peak.
Our trail, with plenty of wildflowers
Once we were legal, the rest of us made it to the trailhead after a long drive up the Mt. Baker Highway and a very rutted dirt road. It was 10:00 before we started our hike.
One of several stream crossings
It was sunny and very hot, although nothing compared to last year's excessive heat. There have been years when we've hiked this much later in the season and had to cross snow bridges where now it's just dry trail on these stream crossings.
Bob and Nailla at the pass
We made it to the pass around 12:30 and replenished ourselves and enjoyed the sunshine and scenery. We knew, however, that if we started up towards the peak it wouldn't be long before we'd have even more incredible views. So, after a nice lunch break, we started up the trail to the peak, knowing that although our intrepid three would be the only ones to reach it, we would still be treated to some incredible views.
Me in front of some fabulous mountains
Sylvia took a picture of me (at my behest) in front of the great views. We did have to cross a little snow, in the lower left of the picture, to get up here, but it was really not much at all. I took a picture of Sylvia showing the mountains in the opposite direction.
Sylvia and more incredible mountains
You just couldn't go wrong by looking in any direction up here in the beautiful mountains in this part of the wilderness. I decided to stop a bit earlier than the rest of the group, so I could take some pictures and rest in the shade. It was one of those days where I was cold in the shade and too hot in the sun. Fortunately we had lots of clouds to help us out.
Abundant wildflowers
Not to mention just incredible amounts of wildflowers. Here you see purple penstemon and red Indian paintbrush. We also saw lots of glacier lilies where the snow has recently receded. They don't last long once the sun comes out.
Heading back down the valley
And then it was time to make our return journey back down the valley. It was after 5:00pm before we got to our cars, and the rest of the return trip is the reason that it's now after 8:00pm and I'm just now finishing this post. It was a memorable day, and I believe that all of us are probably doing much the same thing I did: a shower (ahh!), a libation (ahh!) and dinner. We went over nine miles and up and down 2,700 feet of elevation. I'll sleep well tonight.
:-)

19 comments:

  1. This views are amazing! What a wonderful way to spend a day, hiking in nature with friends.

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  2. Oh those wildflowers and snowcapped background...Fabulous.

    9 miles is GREAT

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  3. Incredible wildflowers and such fit people to accomplish such a hike. Love hearing about your adventures!

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  4. What a gorgeous day with incredible views. Glad you stopped to take pictures and rest for a bit. :)

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  5. What a lovely hike! I really like your last photo. One of these days I need to travel north and explore some trails in your area.

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  6. That final picture is postcard perfection!

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  7. Lots of beautiful photos, I must say. Sounds like your knees faired well on this hike.

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  8. DJan, all of your photos make beautiful screen savers! And the ones of you and your friend done separately with the mountains in the background are wonderful. You both look like famous wilderness explorers...

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  9. just beautiful views, skies, wildflowers. wow.

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  10. What a WONDERFUL HIKE! It looks so beautiful up there!

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  11. Wonderful views and so many wildflowers already blooming - I enjoyed reading about your hike. You and your gang deserve to be tired after such a long day.

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  12. How absolutely glorious Thank you so much.

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  13. Wildflowers and snow on the same hike. Only in Washington following Djan around. Nine miles?? Impressive. Take a well earned rest.

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  14. What a beautiful area. I like hiking in the spring snow. I understand why you would take time to photograph the flowers.

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  15. The flowers are as beautiful as the views!
    Well how about two groups of 7 and 8 is that allowed? Groups sometimes merge together naturally...I don't "get" the restriction but I am certain there is some reason:)

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  16. Absolutely gorgeous! I'd walk just for the wildflowers alone. You must be racking up a lot of steps on your Fit Bit. I have one too now and trying to get my 10,000 steps. What a beautiful day you had.

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  17. With those views I would want to be up there every week. The wildflowers are stunning.

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  18. All of the photos are wonderful, but that last one is just SO scenic. Makes me want to be right there. And of course, the flowers!!!

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