Saturday, May 28, 2005
Noble Knob, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Thank god for the WTA "Fresh Trails" website (see links on left)! We wanted to head south towards Rainier, but wanted to be able to hike with Bella, so we chose to hike Noble Knob. Armed with our handy hiking guides, we drove towards the trailhead, only to be thwarted by a closed gate (apparently it was too early in the year, although there was hardly any snow left). Fortunately I had done some due diligence on the WTA site and a recent trail report included alternate road directions. Armed with just the names of 3 forest roads we drove deeper and deeper into the woods. Eventually we reached a dead end in a clear-cut and thought we were S-O-L. Bella was super-pissed by this point, as she really wanted to go hiking! We backtracked and found a faint trail headed into the forest that I determined was the trail we wanted! The trail rapidly ascended into meadows and gorgeous views of the south Cascades (purists might disdain the acres of clear-cuts visible) and Rainier, and eventually the trail wound its way to the top of Noble Knob. A nice hike that would be stunning during peak wildflower season.
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000'
Weather: Mostly sunny, 50s
Dog Rating: Get me out of this car! I love chippy's!
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Saturday, May 21, 2005
Perry Creek, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Back to the Cascades! We moved back to Seattle at the end of last August and only got one short hike (Little Si) in before a series of rainy weekends closed out the 2004 hiking season. Susan, Bella, and I decided to check out the Mountain Loop Highway a bit and hike Perry Creek. It turns out I had done this hike a few years ago, but my memory is so bad that it seemed like a new one! The hike starts by paralleling Perry Creek through a series of debris-flow-laden side channels and talus fields. After crossing the Creek on a large log and some not-so-nimble rock hopping, the trail gets down to business. It had been a while since I had done a real thigh-burning Cascade hike. We finally climbed out of the soggy forest (wet drippy slurpy snow was melting from the trees at the higher elevations)we entered a snow field with views to Mt Baker. Bella met a boy beagle whom she sniffed vigorously. She then decided to run out on a cornice, prompting another hiker to ask if her name was Lucky! I put her back on leash. We turned around at the overlook because of the snow and fatigue, but during the summer months you can continue on to some more meadows and to several nearby peaks.
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2900' (OUCH!)
Weather: Overcast, 40s or 50s
Dog Rating: I'm a fat out of shape dog hiking with my fat out of shape owner! But at least we reached some snow for frolicking!
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Sunday, May 01, 2005
Kuilau Ridge Trail, Kauai
Our last hike in Kauai was the least spectacular one, but very nice nonetheless. This hike starts near the Keahua Arboreteum and follows a former road through thick lush vegetation. The sky was overcast during our hike and the distant volcanic ridges danced in and out of the clouds. It was a nice change to hike within the interior of the island and to experience a more jungle-like environment.
Distance: About 4.5 miles
Vertical Gain: 760 feet
Weather: Warm, overcast
Dog Rating: Stuck at the kennel.
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