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!
