Little Saint Helens with Snoqalmie Valley Trails Club; Hansen Creek Crystals

They call it "Little Saint Helens" because of all the downed logs.

Saturday night. I'm beat. This was the first significant hike since the embarrassing failure climbing Mount Adams. Walking with the Snoqualmie Valley Trails Club usually means going at a "moderate" clip that can be slightly demanding after about an hour. This was no different, and the trail was rocky in places, which meant feet were sore by hike's end.

Noteworthy: The discovery of little frogs along the trail. Some significant trail scat, probably bear-related; the refreshment of chilled air rising to cool us; encountering other hikers in search of quartz crystals to gather -- probably a byproduct of all the granitic rock in the area; and the discovery and unsuccessful attempt to remove Scotch Broom, an invasive weed, intact.

Surprise: We encountered a man with a shovel, and then others climbing the trail in search of quartz crystals. Close to the trailhead, when we left, was an army of parked vehicles. Afterward our hike leader, Ralph Owen, shared that an area called Hansen Creek can be a source of crystals that people dig out. Not particularly valuable, but an enriching experience for rock hounds.

There were a few sun breaks through the overcast and mist, but nothing spectacular.

A steeplechase of logs greeted us as we approached Little Saint Helens.

Young, flourishing wild flowers contrasted to the deadness of the logs.

The blooms of bear grass were everywhere.

I shot this photo because it looked like the stump was holding court for the clumps of bear grass.

A sign at one of the junctions on the trail

Statistics for the hike:
Distance: 6 miles
Conditions: Overcast, misty, cool
Load: 14+ pounds 
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet

Statistics, year to date:
Distance: 187.6 miles 
Elevation Gain: 59,128 feet
Next Goal: 70,000 feet, my Fifth Rainier. 10,872 feet to go.