Pyramid Mountain July 27, 2023

 On a lovely sunny day, I hiked from the Railroad trail on Lake Crescent to the top of Pyramid Peak, about 7 miles and 2,500 feet elevation gain.

I left home at 7:00 am and arrived at the trailhead in time to start hiking at 9:30. A young woman and an older couple were just ahead of me, and I had a nice chat with them at the top.

Going up through the big trees in the morning

The lower trail is quite nice hiking, with a steady incline and a nice tread. After an hour I reached a big slide that the trail crosses. The trail reports made a big deal about the danger crossing the slide because of the difficulty of finding good footing on the shifting gravel, but I had no trouble.

The big slide

I took a break just after the slide, then continued on the the top and arrived at 12:15. The last half of the trail was considerably steeper with some switchbacks, and I found myself stopping for short rest breaks often.

Looking down on Lake Crescent

At the top I found the old lookout building in good shape. It was built during WWII to spot Japanese ships coming up the Strait of Jan de Fuca, and it's been maintained well. Looking down from the peak, Lake Crescent appears as a deep blue jewel, with tiny colorful dots that are kayaks. You can look right down on top of Crescent Lodge. Lovely view.

The old lookout

I ate my lunch in the shade of the lookout and had a comfortable conversation with Jim Clyburn and his wife. Jim is a retired Forest Service employee and worked on the Tongass National Forest and the Willamette National Forest, same as me, so we had a lot to talk about. Jim and his wife pointed out several plants and gave their names. They're involved in conserving endangered species of wild plants in the Cascades.

On the way down

At 1:00 I started down, taking it slow and easy. Arrived at the car at 2:45 and started home, arriving by 5:15.

Marmot Pass hike July 20, 2023

Finally got up to the mountains after a month of other activities (plein air painting in the San Juan Islands and a watercolor workshop with artist Eric Wiegardt). Guy and I hiked to Marmot Pass on a warm, sunny day. 11.2 miles and 3,600 feet elevation gain.

We left at 6:45 am and got to the trailhead in time to start hiking at 8:35. It was pleasantly cool on the lower trail, although I felt a bit sluggish. We got to Shelter Rock camp around ten, then started up the incline on the south slope. 

Hiking the lower trail in the morning shadows

 By the time we got to the avalanche paths, it was getting hot and we were both getting tired. We took lots of short breaks to catch our breath.

Flowers in the avalanche paths

We made it to Camp Mystery about 12:00 and collapsed under some trees near the creek. We had a good lunch and a short nap.

Guy at lunch

About 12:45 we started up the trail, both of us feeling quite a bit better. Guy really got a second wind. We made it to the pass at 2:05 and took a few photos. After a short break, we started down. 

At the pass

Guy exploring Marmot Pass

Me at the pass

Took it pretty easy on the way down, kept the pace slow and took 15 minute breaks every hour. Got back to the car at 5:05 and started home. Katy had turkey burgers and potato salad for dinner. Delicious!

I was careful not to strain my Achilles tendon and my left ankle. I did pretty good until we started down. The pounding on the way down was hard on my left big toe and ankle, but I got back to the car without any major problems. I was discouraged about how fatigued I was around noon. Last year I made it to the pass in an hour less than this year.

Dosewallips River Hike May 22, 2023

 For my first hike of the season, I hiked up the Dosewallips River to the old campground, about 13 miles and 1,600 feet elevation gain. This was my first hike with my new Oboz boots. I bought them because my new orthotic inserts fit in them and allow me to wear a lighter boot than the old heavy boots I used last year. So much lighter!

I had a quick breakfast of oatmeal and a banana and left home at 6:40 am. Arrived at the trailhead and started hiking at 8:03. It was a nice cool morning and there were only two other cars at the trailhead.

Starting out in the cool morning air.

 I walked briskly up the first section of trail which is on the old road bed and is flat and well-graveled. Got around the washout easily and continued past the turnoff to Elkhorn Campground. 

The washout

 As the road started to get steeper, I slowed down but still made good progress. I took two rest  breaks and arrived at the campground at 11:08. Checked out the old ranger station buildings, which took hits from falling trees last winter and are looking kind of dilapidated.

The old Forest Service car campground

Had lunch leaning against a big log in the middle of the campground. Peanut butter, crackers, raisins, cheese, chocolate and a granola bar.

Lunch at the campground

At 11:47 I started down. Stopped at the falls to watch the huge torrent of snowmelt rushing over the rocks. 

Dosewallips Falls

The view on the way down

Before I started in the morning, I was a little worried about the Achilles tendon on my left foot because it had given me some pain on my daily walks. It felt all right on the way up the trail but when I started down it began to hurt. I tried adjusting my boot and slowing down. Sometimes the pain eased up and other times it was worse.

By the time I got to the last mile, it was hurting badly but I just ignored it and pushed through the pain. That probably wasn't such a good idea, because it hurt for days afterward.

Got to the car, very tired, at 2:08 and drove home. Stopped in Quilcene for coffee at the coffee stand and an ice cream bar at the store.