Oyster Dome and Lily Lake

Checking out our scheduled hike

 Today I went with the Happy Wanderers Senior Trailblazers group again, this time in a huge crowd of 18 of us! We carpooled up to Samish Overlook, which (as you can see from the picture) was devoid of any views due to overcast skies. It was cool, breezy, and quite comfortable for hiking.

On the trail

Our leader Barb took us from the Overlook onto the Pacific Northwest Trail, which leads upwards to the junction of Oyster Dome (one direction) or Lily Lake (the other). It was very pretty, and since the last time I was here with Melanie, I notice that the trail looks to be in much better condition. The entire hike was about 800 feet of elevation, all of it during this part of the day's exertions. Everyone stayed together, and we did have to stop and wait a few times for the slower hikers to catch up,

My favorite fern, the maidenhair

As we hiked, we all noticed how dry it is right now. The streams that we needed to cross are all dried up. The only moisture was in the mist that surrounded us, and once we got to Oyster Dome, it was thick enough to feel like actual rain.

Pausing for a quick snack at Oyster Dome

For some, it was the first time they had ever made it to Oyster Dome, so it was a bit disappointing that they couldn't actually see the majesty of the view. Next time, perhaps they will have better luck. We decided to head back down to the junction and make our way to Lily Lake.

Lily Lake

You might be able to see a little bit of the clouds began to break up, just about the time we reached the lake. In the next few moments after I took this shot, we actually had some direction sunshine! We stopped and ate our lunch and basked in the warmth of the rays.

Chatting while we enjoyed lunch

Everyone was in a very good mood, and our efforts to make it to this spot were well worth it. This new group of hikers lives up to its name: definitely happy. This is the largest group I've ever shared the spot with, and I was feeling so grateful for the day, the exercise, and the company.

Ghost Pipe

Someone spied a patch of ghost pipe, which is an interesting plant, that I thought was a fungus, until I found this:

Ghost Pipe is in a group of plants known as a mycoheterotrophs, mycoheterotrophic plants are partially or entirely non-photosynthesizing  plants, that have a relationship with the mycorrhizal fungus and the mycorrhiza fungus have a symbiotic relationship with the trees where its roots attach.

 If you want to know more about this mysterious plant, you can read about it on this website, Every Leaf Speaks. It is considered sacred and has many healing properties. It was great to see it and leave it just as we found it.

Then we returned to Samish Overlook via Max's Shortcut and the Larry Reed trails, which led us through lots of forest as we enjoyed both sunshine and shadow on our way back.

Ina looking a lots of pink flowers

No, that is not me, but my new friend Ina. She is looking at both pretty pink fireweed and some pearly everlasting white flowers (behind her). We were beginning the final push back to the overlook, and I couldn't resist this picture of her as we crossed the road.

Samish Overlook again, this time with a view

And then we were back where we started this six-mile, 1,000-foot hike, feeling pretty good and looking forward to heading home and a nice shower (or, as in my case, a bath) after a good day's exercise. We all made it back safely, and most of us were pleasantly tired but not overly so, and ready to leave the view and our wonderful company after another great day in our beautiful PNW forest.

:-)