Rock Trail/Ridge loop 2019

Most of the group waiting for us to catch up

Fourteen Senior Trailblazers met at the Lost Lake parking lot to start a really nice loop hike, going from there up the Fragrance Lake trail, then up to the South Lost Lake trail, taking that trail until we got to the Rock trail turnoff. From there, we went up to Gates Overlook for lunch, before heading back down to the logging road that would take us back to the parking lot.

Lost Lake trail

Richard was our leader today, and he diligently kept us mostly in sight, although there were hikers who were much faster than the majority of us and could have done today's hike more quickly. But it was not a race, and we had a wonderful day with mostly sunny skies, which we didn't expect.

Sunlight lighting up the moss

We must be doing something right to keep getting such fine weather on Thursdays. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. I know we will have days ahead when we won't be so fortunate, but I'm enjoying this lovely sunshine very much.

A nice break on the Rock trail

Once we made it to the Rock trail, which takes us up to Gates Overlook, we saw a group of school kids who were probably on a field trip. They were obviously having a good time, and the holes in the rock made an interesting place for them to explore.

Kids climbing out of a cave

They told us that they were able to get eleven kids and two adults all into that small area where you can see someone climbing out. We had looked into the holes but had no idea any of them were that large!

The view from Gates Overlook

We finally made it up to Gates Overlook, in time for a nice early lunch in the sunshine. I've been here when I couldn't see any view at all, so I took the time to enjoy today's simply lovely view. We took our time and then headed down to the Ridge trail, which we followed until we found the trail to Fragrance Lake.

Mt. Baker and the Sisters from the Ridge trail

Instead of going back to the Fragrance Lake trail, however, we decided to take the shorter, more direct logging road back to the cars. It would also give us a chance to see the waterfall after the recent rain.

Waterfall on the way back down

The waterfall did not disappoint. It was so nice to see it flowing and dappled with sun. The last time we saw it, there was plenty of ice and cold weather; I much prefer today's lovely mild temperatures.

Road back down to the cars

You can see it was easy going on the wide road back, and we had plenty of time to chat and enjoy the final miles of the day. We hiked around nine miles, and up and down around 2,200 feet of elevation. Not an easy day, but nowhere as difficult as I was expecting. Another fine day in the Chuckanuts with my BFFs.
:-)