Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tiger Mountain trails, mid-May, 2009
Tiger Mountain is just about as pretty as it can get in mid-May. Some of the trails are still muddy (notably the High Point Trail) but all in all in good condition. Some stretches of the TMT (Tiger Mountain Trail) remain closed due to damaged bridge(s). Closures are posted.
Yesterday I simply wanted to stretch my legs so hiked several of the trails including Nook Trail, High Point Trail, Adventure Trail, Swamp Trail and a few more. Hiked somewhere between 10-11 miles all in all, didn't track elevation gain.
I skipped WT3 - while it's a good work-out it's not my favorite summit, usually too crowded for the likes of me!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Mount Rainier (Spring Opening Updates)
Mount Rainier National Park (Spring Opening Dates)
State Route 123 and State Route 410 (north-south) opens to the public at noon on May 12.
State Route 410 over Chinook Pass is still closed.
Road repairs continue on the Nisqually-Paradise Road – completion date mid-August. In the meantime the road is open to traffic but visitors should expect 20-minute delays.
The Stevens Canyon Road will be closed until extensive damage is repaired (mid-August). However, visitors coming from the west (on Stevens Canyon Road) will be able to access areas as far as Backbone Ridge Overlook and from the east to Grove of the Patriarchs (about 2 miles from State Route 123). Those sections of the Stevens Canyon Road are scheduled to open May 22 (noon). Visitors will not be able to travel between the west and east sides of the park until repair work is completed on the Stevens Canyon Road (mid-August).
The Sunrise Road will open Friday, June 26.
The Mowich Lake Road will open July 3, (noon).
The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is open daily from 10-5 pm weekdays and 10-6 pm on weekends. The Paradise Inn is scheduled to reopen at noon, on May 15. The National Park Inn (Longmire) is open year-round.
Cougar Rock Campground has a tentative opening date of Friday, May 22 (the campground is snowbound, campsites are still snow-covered).
White River Campground opens June 26 (noon).
Ohanapecosh Campground (Loops A, B and C) opens May 22.
Sunrise Visitor Center/Sunrise Lodge opens July 3.
For additional information/conditions visit the park’s web page at www.nps.gov/mora or for recorded information call 360-569-2211.
SOME DATES MAY STILL BE TENTATIVE DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, SNOW, WEATHER
State Route 123 and State Route 410 (north-south) opens to the public at noon on May 12.
State Route 410 over Chinook Pass is still closed.
Road repairs continue on the Nisqually-Paradise Road – completion date mid-August. In the meantime the road is open to traffic but visitors should expect 20-minute delays.
The Stevens Canyon Road will be closed until extensive damage is repaired (mid-August). However, visitors coming from the west (on Stevens Canyon Road) will be able to access areas as far as Backbone Ridge Overlook and from the east to Grove of the Patriarchs (about 2 miles from State Route 123). Those sections of the Stevens Canyon Road are scheduled to open May 22 (noon). Visitors will not be able to travel between the west and east sides of the park until repair work is completed on the Stevens Canyon Road (mid-August).
The Sunrise Road will open Friday, June 26.
The Mowich Lake Road will open July 3, (noon).
The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is open daily from 10-5 pm weekdays and 10-6 pm on weekends. The Paradise Inn is scheduled to reopen at noon, on May 15. The National Park Inn (Longmire) is open year-round.
Cougar Rock Campground has a tentative opening date of Friday, May 22 (the campground is snowbound, campsites are still snow-covered).
White River Campground opens June 26 (noon).
Ohanapecosh Campground (Loops A, B and C) opens May 22.
Sunrise Visitor Center/Sunrise Lodge opens July 3.
For additional information/conditions visit the park’s web page at www.nps.gov/mora or for recorded information call 360-569-2211.
SOME DATES MAY STILL BE TENTATIVE DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, SNOW, WEATHER
Monday, May 11, 2009
Twin Falls Natural Area, Olallie State Park
May 10, 2009
Twin Falls Natural Area, Olallie State Park (North Bend), May 10, 2009
This trail gets off to an easy start and is relatively flat the first half mile as it parallels the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Spurs lead to picnic sites beside the river.
The trail leaves the river, climbing to intersect a narrow ridge – here a bench awaits hikers needing a rest. The trail descends then proceeds with moderate ups and downs, passing an ancient Douglas fir some call the Grandfather Tree.
A little further along stairs descend to a platform overlooking Lower Twin Falls – a dizzying view, any time of the year. It can be a little spooky when the falls are running high. The platform leans out over a cliff where there is nothing between you and the water but air.
With the combination of a sunny day and it being Mother’s Day there were lots of hikers on the trail, mostly families with children. They began to catch up with us as we dawdled, taking photographs. We enjoyed watching children react to the magic of the outdoors – one little boy climbed a boulder beside the trail, proud as only a budding climber could be.
By the time we reached the bridge over the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River the bridge was in the sun making it a handy picnic spot, especially for those with children. Some of the smaller children were afraid to cross the bridge so high above the waterfall but encouraging parents soothed their fears and helped them across.
Most hikers made the bridge their turnaround; we continued to the Upper Overlook, a good turnaround with another view of the waterfalls and not so crowded.
Low elevation wildflowers are at their best – yellow violets, salmonberry, bleeding hearts, a few trilliums, serviceberry, spring beauties, vanilla leaf (no flowers yet), Corydalis, false lily of the valley.
To get to the trailhead: From Seattle go east on I-90, get off at Exit 34 (468th Avenue). Turn right on 468th Avenue SE, then left on SE 159th Street. Continue to road end, parking and facilities, elevation 620 feet.
The hike is about 3 miles round trip to the bridge over Twin Falls, elevation gain about 500 feet. The map is Green Trails Issaquah Alps Series No. 205S Rattlesnake Mountain.
This trail gets off to an easy start and is relatively flat the first half mile as it parallels the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Spurs lead to picnic sites beside the river.
The trail leaves the river, climbing to intersect a narrow ridge – here a bench awaits hikers needing a rest. The trail descends then proceeds with moderate ups and downs, passing an ancient Douglas fir some call the Grandfather Tree.
A little further along stairs descend to a platform overlooking Lower Twin Falls – a dizzying view, any time of the year. It can be a little spooky when the falls are running high. The platform leans out over a cliff where there is nothing between you and the water but air.
With the combination of a sunny day and it being Mother’s Day there were lots of hikers on the trail, mostly families with children. They began to catch up with us as we dawdled, taking photographs. We enjoyed watching children react to the magic of the outdoors – one little boy climbed a boulder beside the trail, proud as only a budding climber could be.
By the time we reached the bridge over the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River the bridge was in the sun making it a handy picnic spot, especially for those with children. Some of the smaller children were afraid to cross the bridge so high above the waterfall but encouraging parents soothed their fears and helped them across.
Most hikers made the bridge their turnaround; we continued to the Upper Overlook, a good turnaround with another view of the waterfalls and not so crowded.
Low elevation wildflowers are at their best – yellow violets, salmonberry, bleeding hearts, a few trilliums, serviceberry, spring beauties, vanilla leaf (no flowers yet), Corydalis, false lily of the valley.
To get to the trailhead: From Seattle go east on I-90, get off at Exit 34 (468th Avenue). Turn right on 468th Avenue SE, then left on SE 159th Street. Continue to road end, parking and facilities, elevation 620 feet.
The hike is about 3 miles round trip to the bridge over Twin Falls, elevation gain about 500 feet. The map is Green Trails Issaquah Alps Series No. 205S Rattlesnake Mountain.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tulips!!
It’s not too late to see the Skagit Valley tulips - May 3, 2009
May 3 was the last day of the Skagit Tulip Festival; since we missed it last year we didn’t want to miss out again. Under sunny skies we headed toward the tulip fields by way of Conway, taking the longer, scenic approach to Roozengaarde. We arrived early enough that we were able to beat the crowds and take our time enjoying the Tiffany lamp-hued, colorful splendor of the tulips.
The welcome sun made photography a bit challenging with many of the tulips in dappled sunlight. In order to get decent photographs we looked for blooms that were in the sun or fully in the shade.
The Skagit Tulip Festival is over but the tulips are far from being finished. Most tulips are still in the “summer” of their lifespan - Roozengaarde and Tulip Town are aglow and Roozengaarde is open year-round. Tulip Town will be open through Mothers Day on May 10 though you can order bulbs year round (you can also order bulbs from Roozengaarde).
Roozengaarde is located on 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Call 360-424-8531 or visit http://www.tulips.com/ . Tulip Town is located on 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon. Call 360-424-8152 or see http://www.tuliptown.com/ (to order bulbs). Admission for Roozengaarde is $4 for adults, $3 for military personnel with ID. Admission for Tulip Town is $5 for adults, $4 for military personnel with ID, children 16 and under, free.
May 3 was the last day of the Skagit Tulip Festival; since we missed it last year we didn’t want to miss out again. Under sunny skies we headed toward the tulip fields by way of Conway, taking the longer, scenic approach to Roozengaarde. We arrived early enough that we were able to beat the crowds and take our time enjoying the Tiffany lamp-hued, colorful splendor of the tulips.
The welcome sun made photography a bit challenging with many of the tulips in dappled sunlight. In order to get decent photographs we looked for blooms that were in the sun or fully in the shade.
The Skagit Tulip Festival is over but the tulips are far from being finished. Most tulips are still in the “summer” of their lifespan - Roozengaarde and Tulip Town are aglow and Roozengaarde is open year-round. Tulip Town will be open through Mothers Day on May 10 though you can order bulbs year round (you can also order bulbs from Roozengaarde).
Roozengaarde is located on 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Call 360-424-8531 or visit http://www.tulips.com/ . Tulip Town is located on 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon. Call 360-424-8152 or see http://www.tuliptown.com/ (to order bulbs). Admission for Roozengaarde is $4 for adults, $3 for military personnel with ID. Admission for Tulip Town is $5 for adults, $4 for military personnel with ID, children 16 and under, free.
Avalanche Forecast, May 6, 2009
It may be hard to believe in May but if you venture into the Cascades or Olympics the next few days be aware that there is high potential for avalanche.
The forecast applies to backcountry and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas - it applies to backcountry terrain below 7,000 feet. Depending on elevation, location and slope exposure there will be high avalanche danger for the next several days. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended until new snow has a chance to settle or slide. The warning will extend through this week and into next weekend.
For updates and more detailed information visit the website for the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center: http://www.nwac.us/ or call 206-526-6677 (for Washington) and 503-808-2400 for the Mount Hood area.
Have fun out there, but be careful.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Little walks and hikes, May 1, 2009
I've been extremely busy the last couple of weeks and haven't had a chance to do a "real" hike since my hike to Hugo Peak. Nothing's wrong, I'm just busy, re-organizing my little yellow house, donating a bunch of stuff I don't need and making some runs to the dump. Cleaning up, so to speak. I'm not done yet but I plan to do some "real" hikes next week, at least two.
In lieu of having time to get to the mountains I've taken several walks (they can't really be called hikes by any stretch of the imagination) in West Seattle and Magnolia, visiting some of my favorite parks and secret places. If/when I can't do a "real" hike I head out with the camera and practice "seeing". No matter where I go, no matter what the weather is like, I always find something to see and photograph. The secret to finding the hidden beauty in what we wrongly perceive as ho-hum places is taking your time, not hurrying, but just looking, really looking around.
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