Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Weird Gets Weirder: A Follow-Up

A photo follow-up to my previous post The Weird Gets Weirder. The photo of my grandmother is a photo of a photo, so the quality is not great but hopefully gives you an idea why I did a serious double-take.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Go Dawgs!

The University of Washington Foundations of Legal Study two-week introductory course and orientation starts Monday. Just three days and I will be a student once again. Today I turned in my locker request form, bought my school supplies (lots of highlighters), and got my student ID. It was a very exciting day and I can't wait to start classes and meet a whole bunch of intelligent, motivated, and interesting people.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Kendall Katwalk

The Kendall Katwalk has been on my must-hike list for about two years. After my last day of work on August 31, I finally had time to hike the Katwalk. It was a beautiful late summer day: blue sky, cool breeze, and fresh legs for the eleven and half mile hike. After hiking the Katwalk, I don't feel much need to hike more around Snoqualmie Pass since the Katwalk gives you nearly 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, including Red Mountain, which is one of the most spectacular mountains I have seen in my limited hiking experience. The Katwalk is a short stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, which means the elevation gain was not too brutal and the trail was well defined. Definitely worth hiking!

Area: Snoqualmie Pass
Distance: 11.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2700 feet
High Point: 5400 feet

Candy corn-looking fungi. I was tempted to eat it. Luckily I resisted.
Early view of Red Mountain. I had no idea we would be eye-level with its peak later in the hike.
I like the juxtaposition of the two mountains in this photo.
Looking west. Snow Lake is just over the mountains in the foreground.
Panorama view from the Katwalk looking east.
Gray jay - or camp robber - eating out of my dad's hand.
The Katwalk!
View down into the valley from the Katwalk. Some wobbly knees here no doubt.
We finally made it to the Katwalk.
My dad strolling along the Katwalk.
Full view of Red Mountain (aptly named, eh?).
Marmot keeping watch of his scree. His shrill whistle hurt our ears. So loud!
Marmot keeping an eye on us as we slowly pass.