The first winter snow turns the mountain into a magical place. The snow depth ranged from a few inches to a couple feet deep, and with others breaking trail ahead, we were able to do this trail without snowshoes, enjoying the trail before avalanches become a danger. It is truly a different world in the winter. With…
There is a special quality of light in the alpine wilderness. It is best experienced on an overnight trip. In my recent backpacking expeditions, I was able to enjoy the luxury of experiencing sunrise and sunset in open mountain meadows and secluded lakes. Time slows when you are paying attention as the sun gradually makes its way…
A nicely graded trail through shaded forest and boulder fields turns into a steep climb. Scrambling over the rocky trail, I paused to see vast views of the Cascades where Mount Rainier occasionally made a showing through the clouds. From the perch at the top of Bandera Mountain, the ice and snow covered Mason Lake is visible. …
I started early in the morning on this exposed trail from Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge for a relentlessly steep climb up to the ridge. Ascending through forest, fields and burn areas, there is a colorfully diverse array of wildflowers. The snow covered ridge was chilly compared to the sun warmed slopes below. A rain…
My first wildflower hike of the season was east of the Cascades. The Ingalls Creek trail opens up to expanses of alpine forest and rocky exposures with charred remains of prior burns, tracing through a shady tree canopy crossed by streams making their way to the creek. At this time of year Ingalls Creek is a roaring…