Mt. Baldy, September 28, 2012

Today I hiked up Mt. Baldy in Olympic National Park. I left home about 6:45 and got to the trailhead at 8:45, started hiking at 8:50. The trail goes straight up a ridge and it's brutally steep. The only good thing is there's no erosion, and the trail is in good shape.

 I sweated up the lower portion of the trail. It's so steep in places I climbed for a minute and took a half a minute rest.

 The leaves are turning autumn colors in places.

As I got higher I could see across the valleys. The alpine grass is turning a russet color.

It's lovely to be up in the alpine. It's completely open and the ridges seem to stretch away forever.

I got to the top just after noon, about 3 hours and fifteen minutes. Not bad considering it was 3,700 feet of elevation gain. From the summit, I could see Mt. Olympus in the distance.

I ate a hiker's lunch: salami, cheese, crackers, and M&Ms.

This view is looking up Royal Creek, where Guy and I hiked last month.

Just below the summit. I put my vest on because the breeze was chilly.

Alpine plants.

 I got back to the trailhead at 2:50, about two hours after leaving the summit. My legs were sore from the steep descent, and the bottom of my right foot was bruised a bit. Got home by 5:15 and took a shower. Great hike!