Greetings BladeFiends! I’m posting for yesterday, as when I got home in the evening I preferred to scarf down some good food, enjoy a beverage, and rest my aging knees. I went on a little walk in the woods yesterday. It ended up being about an 11-12 mile hike, gaining about 3,500 ft up to an elevation of just under 5,600 ft. This hike has a nice Alpine lake about halfway up, and what I really love about it is that there is a set of old boot paths that you can take off the main trail and pretty much have the place to yourself. It’s alot steeper and more technical than the main trail, but alot more fun as well, and the experience can’t be beat. The trail up (could almost be described as less of a trail and more of a chute that you have to claw your way up) first climbs steeply through the forest and then comes to a really cool boulder field that you have to climb/cross. Then you get to the lake to cool off a bit before heading up to the peak above. After that you can head back down to the lake for another dip, before finally following the other old trail that hugs the creek and waterfalls coming off the lake to get back down. Makes for a long, but extremely fun day!
Up through the forest. It’s much steeper in person than it comes across in pics. Time to bust out the Jurassic and fashion myself some walking sticks.
Now for the fun part, crossing this. People I have brought here find this part daunting when they see it, but it’s really just a matter of stepping/climbing from one rock to the next. This is the part that makes the trail for me.
The view back down after I’ve made it. I might or might not have hollered “Riiii-CO-LA!” at this point.
Up at the lake. Cool off, hydrate, and on to the real hike up to the peak above.
After climbing through some more forest and getting above the tree line you are welcomed to
wildflowers in full bloom and stunning views of Rainier staring you in the face.
Eventually the path takes a turn, and it’s time to make your way straight up to the peak. Here you are met with breathtaking 360 views of the surrounding mountains. If you look, you can see that lake below (on the right) that I was at just a couple of hours ago.
After soaking in the views for a bit, it was time to head back down to the lake for another cool down.
Finally, you take the other boot path that follows the creek running off of the lake back down. This area is shaded by the canopy, has multiple creek crossings, and is covered in lush green moss. The cool air makes for the perfect ending to a long hot hike. It’s like walking through an enchanted forest. Take that until it meets the main trail at the big waterfall, then you’re just a short mile or so back to the ride to head home. Where whiskey awaits!