A hike in the mountains

One of the advantages of living where I do is the fact that it's easy to get to the mountains and go take a hike.

I usually like to go with a couple of people (mostly my wife and daughter) but this past weekend nobody wanted to accompany me. I initially was going to go do another hike, but I couldn't find the trailhead, so I changed my plan and went hiking in the Mt. Baker Wilderness instead. The day was a little cold, but was not really a problem for someone like me, who has lived in NH. Most people like to climb in this area when it's clear, but I like the overcast and blustery days too.

The day was perfect. No direct sunlight, so it was not likely that I would overheat. I started off late, so I had to make decent time on the hike. I climbed about 2000 feet in about 11 miles of hiking and saw some really beautiful country......nicely dominated by Mt. Shuksan on one end and Mt. Baker on the other. I hiked around some lovely alpine lakes and rivers and streams. The trails were wet, but still fun to be on.

Here are some pics.

[Image: IMG_20151011_155257_hdr.jpg]

[Image: IMG_20151011_144848.jpg]

[Image: IMG_20151011_155736_hdr.jpg]

[Image: IMG_20151011_160604_hdr.jpg]

[Image: IMG_20151011_162432_hdr.jpg]

[Image: IMG_20151011_162818_hdr.jpg]

Beautiful! When I was younger I spent three months in Maine and NH; Appalachian Trail etc.

One of the most beautiful times of my life!

During that trip I saw SRV at an abandoned firehouse in NH and also Bob Dylan in Old Orchard Beach. Great trip for music too!

yohannrjm - I am so jealous.  The North Cascades are so increadible and to be able to hike there on the weekend is amazing.  I was lucky enough to be able to climb there in 1998 with a group.  Here I am on the summit of Mt. Shuksan.  Sadly as you can see it was so cloudy there that day that everything below us was clouded in and we couldn't take in the view.  

Living in Ohio where the glaciers smoothed it flat doesn't leave much in the way of mountains so I have to take advantage of the hiking trails when I travel to areas like the Cascades.


[Image: Shuksan_zpswv63skay.jpg]

Great pic Cincinnatus! I haven't spent much time in the WA state backcountry but it looks fantastic.

I have been to Snoqualmie Falls but it was more of a drive by...

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the compliment Kevin.

I am hitting the Appalachian Trail at the end of the month with my younger son for 4 days, 3 nights heading from Mt. Rogers to Demascus, VA. Did it a couple years ago with my older son and had such a great time.

But those hills don't even compare to the Cascades, Mt. Saint Helens or down in the Mt. Hood area in Oregon. That is why Yohann is so lucky. And I forgot to mention Yohann - very nice photos.

yohannrjm, those photos are incredible.  Thank you and Cincinnatus for showing us how the same area can look so stunningly different.

Awesome pics man! Thanks for sharing. I wish I could walk out my door and see sights like that, but alas, I live in a rather boring part of Michigan.

Cirque of the Towers

Fantastic, Primo.  You guys almost make me want to take my tired ol' tuchis out to the mountains.  (Operative word... "almost" )

Fantastic, Primo.  You guys almost make me want to take my tired ol' tuchis out to the mountains.  (Operative word... "almost" )

Given that I sit in a cubicle in front of a computer, all day, everyday - I have to get in the woods or go crazy and end up feeling like I live in a pod in the Matrix.