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| Part of today's group on the trail |
Thirteen Senior Trailblazers went out into the Chuckanuts for a rainless but chilly and overcast start to the day. The trail was called a "lollipop," meaning we started and ended with the same trail (the Two Dollar trail) but made a meandering loop in the middle. I was almost at the end of the line, and while these hikers stopped for us slower ones to catch up, I took this picture. You can tell by the way we are dressed that it wasn't warm, by any means.
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| Pretty trail with lots of fresh greenery |
We've been seeing lots of trillium for weeks now, and there are many other flowers coming out everywhere, along with fiddlehead ferns and just about everything that is not already in bloom will emerge within a week or two.
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| Fresh, sweet trillium patch |
Leslie pointed out this patch of trillium flowers that I would have missed otherwise. They are obviously fresh blooms, because this is what happens to trillium when they are at the end of their one seasonal bloom:
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| Old trillium just about done |
They turn pink and then red before dying for the season, and then starting the process all over next spring. Such beauty, though, is a delight to see. We walked to Gates Overlook and got there early enough to have a short lunch break, before heading down the Rock trail.
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| Rock trail |
After having climbed up to the Overlook (with little to no view and a brisk wind), we then descended down the more than 175 steps to the South Lost Lake trail. I find it hard to navigate this trail down and would rather hike up it, as my knees are feeling quite worked out as I sit here after our day's exertions.
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| A few of the Rock trail stairs |
It's a beautiful area, and nobody seemed to have much problem with the elevation gain today, although we went up and down around 2,500 feet in just over nine miles. Not an easy day, but well worth it.
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| Fragrance Lake |
It had been blustery and cold until we started down the trail to Fragrance Lake for a quick second lunch stop. You can see how glassy smooth the lake was as we started down the Two Dollar trail back to the cars.
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| Samish Bay under clearing skies |
Melanie was able to capture this picture of the bay as the skies cleared. It was almost 2:30pm by this time, and the promised sunshine began to emerge just as we reached the cars. The temperature had warmed a little as well, but I was happy to see the cars and head back to the Senior Center. It was a really lovely day, and we not only had great weather (it's always better to be cooler than too warm), we also had our usual great company and I enjoyed myself immensely. I also know I'll sleep well tonight!
:-)
Who would have thought a lollipop could be healthy, beautiful and enjoyed with lots of friends!
ReplyDeleteThose steps would have done for me. Up I could (perhaps) have managed them. Down? No.
Sleep well.
All those downward steps without railings are daunting to me. I guess trekking poles help with stability, but, yes, hard on the knees.
ReplyDeleteWe spent a lot of time gardening today, wishing the sun would shine.
I thinl I'm getting familiar with the Chuckanuts!
ReplyDeleteI really don't like going down steps. It doesn't just jar the knees but your whole body.They always seem to make a weird sized step and that's what hurts.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful❤️
ReplyDeleteThe steps would be my shortcoming, but ooh those views, simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun time with your fellow hikers.
Hugs,
Jo
Yikes, those steps! But what a gorgeous spot, cold or not.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if I’d get very far because I’d have to stand in awe of that forest. It is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWell done for another Thursday, Jan.
Looks like it was such a lovely trail to hike. All those stairs would be a bit daunting with knee issues, but you all survived the blustery day. :)
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the trillium. Yes, it's much better to hike in cool weather rather than hot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'm with you on going DOWN steps.
ReplyDeleteThat was a long walk and sorry you had to navigate those down stairs. I could do them easier that up with my lungs. Cool does sound like the best hiking weather.
ReplyDeleteTrilliums here tend to come out later this month.
ReplyDeleteFun to see the Trilliums turn such a pretty color! Ours just get a pale pink :)
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