On Saturday, October 2nd, I hiked to Hidden Lake Lookout with Dan Crouse, John Mason (Dan's old boss), and Lisa (John's wife). The weather was perfect. The fire lookout was built in the early 1900's by a man who hauled up the materials by mule or foot. I made a photojournal and a panorama of the view from the top. The hike was 8 miles round-trip and the elevation gain was 3500 feet.
I made a photojournal of a hike I went on last Sunday to the Mt. Baker wilderness. Dan Crouse, his friend Sherry, and I climbed Excelsior Peak and the adjoining Excelsior Ridge, which were painted in beautiful autumn colors. I made a 360° panorama of the view at the top. The only unfortunate part of it was the drive — over 2:30 each way.
I went Hiking on June 19, 2004 with Dan Crouse to the top of Silver Peak, located in Snoqualmie. I had not gone hiking in a while (years?), and it was rough. Dan drove us, which was good, as I was in no condition to drive afterwards. I made a photojournal of the hike and a panorama [4MB QTVR] at the top.
I took a walk today with my dad and the dogs. All of us need the exercise. My dad asked about the temperature before we left, to bring a coat if cold. I felt the air and it wasn't too bad, so I said, "Do not bring a coat." He didn't. But as we walked the air became increasingly humid and dark clouds loomed overhead. The wind picked up. And then the first few sprinkles fell, increasing to rain. We took shelter under a big maple tree, about 10 minutes from home, with the hope that we were experiencing an ephemeral shower. However, the wind and rain waxed. My dad decided we should just head home rather than wait, so we started walking, and the rain deluged us. He mentioned something about someone writing a Ph.D. on walking versus running in the rain, which I found hard to believe. (It's better to run, as shown by a simulation by Ken Holmes.) I felt bad for encouraging him to take a walk and then for him and the dogs to be rained upon, so I ran the rest of the way home and drove my pickup truck to haul them the last few blocks.
At noon I walked eastward on the Tolt Pipeline trail. I hadn't previously ventured more than a mile east on it, but today I continued to the end and beyond.
My mom retuned from her cousin's funeral in Shasta, CA last night, and I happened to ask about her dozen aunts and uncles. She told me they were all dead, most due to heart problems. The last several months of reading the web for exercise have not done wonders for my physical fitness levels as I had hoped, so her statement made my need for exercise even more pressing.
The temperature was over 80° F, and I was hot, even in my shorts, mostly due to a sweatshirt. Forgetting sunscreen was mildly unfortunate.
I walked without first viewing a map, and let my curiosity lead me. I stopped for a minute to read a sign before a creek, which apparently is breading waters for five different species of salmon. I hoped for a nice view, so I continued along the trail uphill, to a plateau.
After arriving at the end of the plateau, the view of the Snoqualmie river valley was nice. I could see the small town of Duvall across the valley, and yonder, the Cascades. Duvall didn't appear too distant so I decided to continue on the pipeline trail, which appeared to head towards it and perhaps intersect a road.
Unfortunately, the pipeline came to an end as I started heading down the hill. I pressed onward and was met with an increasing grade and spiteful stinging needles and briars. After another 50 feet, my scratched, bloodied, burning legs helped me decide that I wasn't a Roman centurion after all, and so I veered left towards a ravine. The Devil's Club, fallen tries, and steep slopes of the ravine made for little improvement, but eventually I wandered onto an overgrown logging road, and then someone's backyard. I exited quickly through the cyclone gate at the end of their driveway. (People with such fences don't take kindly to trespassers, I suspect.)
At last I was on the road, which had its own problems -- namely, the fast and frequent cars and trucks, their exhaust, and the lack of a shoulder. I traveled a mile on the road, then turned left, and went another mile or more across the valley and over the river and then into Duvall.
I went to the first convenience store I saw and called home at 2 p.m. I was greeted by the answering machine, so I left for mom a message, asking her to drive towards Duvall and pick me up if she was bored.
I bought a quart of Powerade! (Artic Shatter flavor), as I never before tried one. It was better tasting than Gatorade; amongst other ingredients I think they add more sugar. I bought a couple protein bars, ate one, and commenced my return journey.
After over 12 miles, my burning legs, aching chest, and blistered feet increasingly hurt. It is amazing how many cars look like my Mom's white Lexus from a distance. Finally, at 4 p.m, her air-conditioned mobile oasis arrived, about 1.5 miles from home.