First 2019 SVTC Hike

Not like Tiger 3: We had to go around or over many downed trees on the trail.

Today I went on my first Snoqualmie Valley Trails Club hike in 2019. I haven't hiked with the group for at least two years due to fatigue from my prostate cancer treatments and my lack of exercise following treatments, which ended at the end of March, 2017. But I have been hiking this year and feeling like I was up to SVTC standards. Well, as it turned out, just barely.

We hiked Cougar Mountain, along an area proposed for clear-cut near the De Leo Wall, a stone outcrop that defines the clear-cut target area.

Two days earlier I had just ascended 2,000 feet over 3 miles one way to Tiger Mountain's Trail #3 summit, so I thought I was in good shape. This hike promised  a 5-mile trek and 1,000 feet of elevation, but I found it much more challenging. Part of the reason was that the trail was narrower, much steeper at the ascent, and with greater obstacles -- fallen trees, soft clay soils, and, steep banks, and at times, a combination of the three. The day was lightly overcast, but there was rain at times.

We met at the Margaret's Way Trailhead parking lot and car pooled to the trailhead. I rode in an electric vehicle driven by Cheryl. On the passenger front seat was Dennis. Individuals I met who rode in other vehicles included Jerry someone I had met before; and Laurie, Ernie, Etti, Dick and Bonnie. Etti and Ernie were both of German descent. Ralph Owen, 83, led the hike at a "moderate slow" pace that left me winded at times and wondering whether my legs would tire out.

This large rock near our lunch spot was festooned with licorice ferns.

The hike ascended past a waterfall and along deep gulches. Just before lunch we ascended a steep portion that passed a rock covered with Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza). According to the Fancy Fronds Nursery Web site,  this plant is a familiar sight in the Pacific Northwest forest on big-leaf maples, logged-off stumps, moss encrusted rocks and roadside banks. It prefers areas where moss tends to naturally grow and protect its root system.  Ferns in this genus produce a significant amount of glucose in their rhizome, giving the root a sweet, licorice-like taste that is sometimes used in native folk medicine.  The high sugar levels also protect this fern from damage by winter cold, enabling it to stay green through the coldest part of the winter.  

Near the highest point of your hike we entered Newcastle.

Near the peak of our hike, a trail marker indicated we had entered Newcastle. We had ascended far enough to come into contact with top-of-the-hill homes (see photo below). As we descended, we realized that Ralph had led us not only cross-country for a short bit, but also in a circle that returned us to a fallen log which we had climbed over in the earlier part of the trip. We changed direction and made it back to our cars.

The residences near the top of the hike included this tree house close to the trail

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet (we climbed higher than planned)
Conditions: Cool, mostly overcast, with light rain that was steady toward the end.
Load: About 18 pounds.
:

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 15.1 miles

Elevation gain: 5,200 feet

Tiger 3

Today I climbed Tiger 3. Surprisingly, it took almost three hours going up; but it took only an hour descending. I may have ascended by as no faster than 1.3 mph, but I descended at 3 mph.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 2,000 feet
Conditions: Cool, clear skies
Load: About 18 pounds.
:

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 9.6 miles

Elevation gain: 4,000 feet

Pinnacle Peak, again

One week after our last hike, John Anderson and I scaled Pinnacle Peak again. The 3.8-mile round trip took 2.45 hours, so we averaged 1.3 mph. My phone app, My GPS Status, recorded the elevation at the top to be 533 meters, which figures out to be 1,749 feet. Washington Trails Association lists the summit at 1,800 feet. Pretty close, but I will go with the official figure.

John passes the familiar, supine, columnar basalt near the summit.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
Conditions: Cool, light overcast
Load: About 15 pounds.
:

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 3.6 miles

Elevation gain: 2,000 feet

Snowshoeing Heather Meadows

Past Glacier, WA, enroute to Mount Baker's Healther Meadows

January 8, 2018 near Mount Baker: From the Birch Bay time share I drove through Glacer to get to a place in the Mount Baker wilderness area where I could snowshoe. I stopped at a ski store  in Glacier and was told that the roads were cleared to a location called Healther Meadows, down from the road's terminus near Artist Point. This was a shakedown trip to test my 2005 Honda CRV against the elements and make my first snowshoe outing.
What I learned:
1. I need to double check my electronics for such an outing. I lacked the power cord to keep my phone charged , and ended up loosing my GPS and finding my way back in the dark, stopping to ask for directions.
2. I need to shake snow off garments before I get into the auto.
3. The snowshoes worked well, but they could be larger based on my weight.
4. My depth perception was lost in the gray-out conditions. I couldn't tell how high to step on the snow. At the ski shop I learned I can purchase ski masks that will improve my vision, and I will purchase one after my cataract operation.
5. I could ditch my rain pants and long underwear; ski pants were sufficient over my heavy cargo pants.
6. I have to keep snow from filling my jacket pockets; hand warmers are essential for my ski gloves.
7. I need to remember to plan food for the trip. I didn't take time to do that. It worked OK, but it's not the right thing to do.
8. I need to spend more time thinking about how to configure the interior of the car for such outings.
9. The car performed well in the snow it was exposed to. I tested the brakes and found they worked reasonably well, although there was skidding on ice and snow.
10. The concierge at the time share was worried when I didn't return before dark and tried to phone me. The call didn't get through due to the dead phone.
11. I didn't over exert, partly because I wasn't willing to push the limits until I had more experience. Things will likely change significantly after my eye operation.

It's a color photo, but snowfall turned the scene into a virtual etching

I pulled over to take some photos and also to practice snow driving in a parking lot.

At the Heather Meadows parking lot, the advanced ski lift was lifeless on a dead-gray day.

My 2005 Honda CRV was witness to the bleak light as the afternoon grew dark and cold.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: Negligible
Elevation gain: Negligible
Conditions: Cold, overcast, gray with poor visibility, and a light cold snow falling.
Load: None

Statistics, year to date unchanged:

Distance: 2 miles

Elevation gain: 1,000 feet

First Hike 2019 Pinnacle Peak

Approaching from the north: photo taken through car window.

January 7, 2019:  Yesterday John Anderson and I returned to Pinnacle Peak near Enumclaw in a "grudge match" with the trail. A few months ago this was John's first hike in a long time and there was a question as to whether he was going to make it off the mountain without help. This time he showed the mountain he could do it. It was the metric milestone of how far he has come in just a few short hikes.

Map My Hike software said we descended 983 feet from the summit. Washington Trails Association says its a 1,000-foot elevation gain. I'm going with WTA, while noting that I've never seen Map My Hike be so accurate on elevation gain.

This indicates the steepness of the trail -- a 1,000-foot gain in about a mile.

John stands at one of the  milestones -- I call these connected cedars "The Twins"

The path down from the summit, where a fire lookout station once stood.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet 
Conditions: Cool, overcast, dry. Trail damp with places to slip.
Load: 10-15 pounds

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 2 miles

Elevation gain: 1,000 feet