Gold Creek Redux

 

Went back to Gold Creek today where the sun was even brighter and there were more people.  The snow parks were full and everyone in Puget Sound seemed to be out enjoying the snow and sun shine with their kids and/or dogs.  As is our usual start to the new year, Vangi, Rich, Molly and I went snow shoeing.

We went along the creek, which I personally like because of all of the fantastic snow shapes;

 

 

And since I made the trail yesterday, along with Jason’s most excellent help, we got to see my favorite tree stump

After following the stream for a while we disappeared into the forest to make our way to the lake.  I like  going off trail because there are no other people when you go off trail. It is quiet and peaceful and very calming if you don’t think too much about the four people who got lost here earlier in the week.

 

Occasionally, there would be a break in the trees with the snow covering what looks to be a lovely meadow swhere you could get a nice view of the mountains.

Once at the lake, we ate a very good lunch, stayed about in the sun shine warming up, and saw the tracks of the rare Tyrannosaurus  Snoqualmie Pass

 

We took our last look at the lake and stream

before entering the forest to make our way back to the car.  We emerged safely from the forest, avoided all of the dogs at the trail head, and made our way safely along the road to the car without being hit by a speeder pulling a trailer loaded with snowmobiles.

Once safe at the rest stop at the pass we had hot chocolate and pizza before heading home.

Pictures from hike

Gold Creek

 

Jason and I were heading up to Gold Creek to snow shoe when the sigh across the freeway flashed a warning that I have never seen in all of my years of hiking/snow shoeing:

“Limited visibility ahead due to sun glare”

Fortunately we each had a slightly used set of sun glasses and were able to handle the dangerous situation.  We arrived at Gold Creek, where under Jason’s guidance, we quickly got off of the trail (intentionally) and followed the stream.

 

We were constantly sinking to our knees in the fresh snow, but it was so much more pretty.  And a lot quieter.

 

After an hour of slogging through the deep snow, we made it to the lake, where we stopped to eat an excellent roast beef sandwich with aged cedar cheese and sweet gherkins. The lake had a mysterious set of tracks that went three fourths of the way across and then stopped.

That is generally not a good sign.  We hiked around the lake

and hiked out to a peninsula that juts out into the lake. 

and enjoyed the sun shinning on our backs.  It was still 21 degrees, but the sun felt good and the tube to my hydration pack didn’t freeze shut.

A good time was had by all and we made it without incident, back to the car and on to the summit for a slice of pizza.

Many more pictures of gold creek

Urban Hikes IV

 

Today was a cross training event featuring the making and consumption of Christmas cookies

 

As well as a walk around Golden Gardens

 

 

We arrived at Joe and Kathy’s at lunch time to begin the making of Christmas Cookies.  It is a process that requires constant sampling and much discussion to ensure quality.

 

See the cooky makers at work and Joe and kathy's Christmas lights

After assuring quality to the best of my ability, I headed down to Golden Gardens for a walk.  There was a brisk sea breeze and you could see the Olympics.

 

Pictures from the beach

At the end of the beach walk is a small estuary where a fresh water stream enters the salt water.  It is filled with plants and a lot of bird life.

 

Photos from pond

 

A good day was had by all and we headed off as Joe and Kathy’s  Christmas tree lights came on.

 

Nordic Pass

 

It was a sunny day and I had to head up to check out the snow for snow shoeing. I was surprised to see that it was deep powder.  I was also greatly tired as I struggled through it.

 

I was the first one through going up to Hyak Lake, but untracked snow is really pretty

 

and occasionally there was a lot of snow coming off of the trees to give you a shower.

 

I got cut off by a creek and had to work my way over to the ski area to get around it.  It was steep, but the tracks coming down through the powder looked neat.

The lake was snow covered though there were a couple of places of open water.

 

Went up on top of the ridge and got some great views to the east

 

Then it was a comfortable trip down the hill back to my car and the moon rising over Rampart Ridge.

 

Photos from snow shoe trip

Common Wealth Basin

 

I went on my first snow shoe trip of the season.  We crossed the road from Summit West and headed up into common wealth basin

After about 40 minutes of climbing we started to get some pretty good views north.  This picture is looking west towards Denny Mountain (Alpental ski area).  The peak behind it on the left is Granite Peak and to the right is Bryant Peak. The snow balls at the top of the trees are about five feet across.

As you enter the mouth of the valley Guy peak is to your left.

Looking into the basin with Kendall Peak in front

 

The valley is filled with streams.  I like the way the snow piles up in unusual shapes

 

We even saw a snow duck

 

We wandered around the valley for a couple of hours.  Up on top of the ridge the wind was blowing and my mustache froze. So we headed back down the hill, which is a lot easier than going up hill.

Crossed back over the stream on a bridge that seems pretty narrow when you step out on it with wearing a pair of snow shoes

 

and headed back for a warm shower.

More photos of snow shoe trip

Urban Hike III

 

Don’t let the snow keep you inside.  There are lots of things to see and you don’t have to drive to get to them.  Just take a walk around your own neighborhood before the snow melts.  I took a short hike got to use all of my snow clothes because it was cold out there.  But you can always come home for hot chocolate. Saw a kid learning how to snow board

There are still all sorts of reminders of fall around

People are out with their dogs

More dog pictures for Marily

You’ll see ice in all sorts of forms

The toys of summer put away for the winter. 

all sorts of plants covered by snow. 

Pictures from walk

Urban Hike II

 

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon hiking around Foster and Marsh Islands.  That’s the water front trail between the Museum of Industry and the north end of the Arboretum.  “Every thing is beautiful, in its own way.”  Ahh, I’m having a flash back.  Someone please intervene before I go out and buy some red and white striped bell bottoms.  I usually refuse to take pictures of ducks, little children and rabbits, but these ducks had a great synchronized swimming routine.

Duck pictures

There is still an amazing amount of fall colors.  And a wide variety of things to see in a short flat hike. There are herons and other birds flying across the water ways

 

eating berries

And in general, just making a lot of noise in the trees.

Bird Pictures

The hike has a lot of variety and in the November light, it is golden.  There are waterways

Marshes

and trees.

It looks as though the water front rental at University of Washington is rent kayaks instead of canoes these days.

 

Pictures from trail side

 

If you are willing to get off of the trail, work your way through the swamp with out sinking, with a little luck, you will come across a ferry ring.  Molly assures me this is where the little people live. Anybody want to come back with me on a night with a full moon?

Ferry ring pictures

And I have finally figured out why people in Texas don’t understand conservation. Our freeway on ramps are prettier than 80 % of Texas.

It may be a state where a flooded open pit mine actually adds beauty to the landscape.

Freeway pictures