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.

Mount Pilchuck

I hiked Mount Pilchuck finally on Friday, July 17. Getting a semi-late start, it was already hot out (it reached 90 degrees in Seattle). But the sky was as clear as one could ask for on a summit hike. Despite the hot weather, Pilchuck was a fantastic hike with breathtaking views almost the entire distance of the trail. At the top, we scrambled to the defunct fire lookout tower with 360 degree views of Mount Rainier, Central Cascades, Glacier Peak, Three Fingers, North Cascades, Mount Baker, Puget Sound, surrounding lowlands, and everything in between. Standing on the rickety fire lookout tower gave me the willies, but the view was worth any shaky knees. Definitely worth the climb!

Area: Mountain Loop Highway/Granite Falls
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300
High Point: 5340

View from the fire lookout northeast.

Fire lookout tower with daring people scaling surrounding rocks.
Glacier Peak.
View east from the fire lookout of Glacier Peak and Central Cascades.Mount Baker to the left under some clouds; Three Fingers to the right.
View North from the fire lookout.
View west towards Puget Sound.
View southeast from fire lookout.
One peak of Pilchuck.
Our future destination!

Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake

I hiked Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake on Friday, July 10. It was warm outside and the hike was beautiful. Melakwa Lake has been on my list to-do for about two years; it was gratifying to finally check it off my list. The same morning of my hike I finished my final session of morning boot camp (up at 4:45 a.m. to exercise for an hour) so I was pretty exhausted on the way up but still thoroughly enjoyed myself. At boot camp that morning I managed to decrease my mile time by 20 seconds. Hike and boot camp win!

Area: Snoqualmie Pass
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
High Point: 4910 feet

The trail passes under floating I-90 about a half mile from the trail head.
Hemlock Pass - the high point of the trail and passage way to Melakwa Lake.

Lake Serene

I hiked Lake Serene on Sunday, June 14. The weather turned out to be a little discouraging since the trail and lake were almost completely socked in by thick fog. We couldn't see any more than 100 feet of the lake from our lunch spot. Nonetheless, Bridal Veil Falls along the trail was a highlight. A side trail allows you to climb right next to the waterfall and cool off with the spray from the falls. The trail itself climbs very gradually for the first mile and half; it gains most of its elevation in the final two miles which were two of the tougher miles I have hiked thus far. I would definitely like to return to Lake Serene for views of Mount Index and the lake itself.

Area: Index, Stevens Pass
Distance: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
High Point: 2521 feet

Little Si

A few Fridays ago I headed out to North Bend (a mere 45 minutes from Seattle) to hike Little Si, Mount Si's smaller cousin. The hike was relatively easy, though still a reasonable workout with nice views of North Bend and Mount Si at the top. I also saw rock climbers along the way, which was neat. Here are a few photos.

Snapshot of the trail.Rock climbers below Little Si.

A view of North Bend from Little Si.View of Mount Si from Little Si. The top of Si was shrouded in clouds, so I was happy I opted for Little Si.

Oyster Dome

I know, I know, I haven't posted for an entire month! Between work, weekend activities, a Vegas trip, major life decisions, and plain ole laziness, I just haven't been in the mood. My apologies to all of you who still check regularly... I will be better!
Anyway, back to the title of the post. Oyster Dome. Yesterday, I hiked Oyster Dome in the Chuckanut Mountains (cool name, eh?) just south of Bellingham by Lake Samish. I have been eager to hike Oyster Dome for some time since it is usually clear of snow year-round and instead of the usual Cascade range hike, you get sweeping views of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Ergo, sunny Saturday... Oyster Dome... with ulterior motives to also visit the Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham for some Northwest goodness in the form of microbrew.
Oyster Dome is approximately 6.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of around 2,000 feet. So it's easier than Mount Si but not a walk in the park. There were parts of the trails that were, how do I say, steep. And I forgot my hiking boots to boot so I was operating with no tread, mud, and a genetic penchant for clumsiness. However, with only a few trips and slips, we made it to Oyster Dome for a great view of the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. Some high overcast made Olympic Mountain views limited, but nonetheless, it was impressive and worth the climb.
Below the Oyster Dome itself, there are a series of bat caves (for the winged mammal, not the bat mobile). We stopped for a short peak into these, though the entrances were small and cramped so we opted not to go spelunking this time. After tromping our way back down the trail, we set off north on Chuckanut Drive with Boundary Bay on the brain.

For a Seattle girl, I do so enjoy Bellingham. It has a much more relaxed vibe, with younger, easier going folks and wide, empty streets. Boundary Bay was fun with lots of great beer, good food, and some ridiculously spicy Thai vinagrette salad dressing for a ginormous small house salad. It was a good end to a good hike and great day. Once there is a bit more snowmelt, I'll be back up north for camping at Baker Lake and hopefully rafting on the Nooksack River.

Wallace Falls Hike

On Saturday morning, I woke up reasonably early to hike Wallace Falls in Gold Bar, Washington, on Highway 2. It was raining lightly as I drove out the trail head, but I was prepared with my hat, rain coat, and waterproof boots and happy the rain meant the trail wouldn't be crowded.

I hiked about five miles round trip, seeing lower, middle, and upper Wallace Falls. There is about 1,300-feet of elevation gain to the upper falls, so the hike is not terribly strenuous. But I will say that when the trail goes up, it is steep. This also means there are nice flat spots to catch your breath though as well.
The hike was great, with views almost the entire way. Hiking by myself, I set a fast pace and ran back down the trail to keep my heart rate up. Wallace Falls drops 265-feet within the state park, a height comparable to Snoqualmie Falls. It was very impressive to see and I really enjoyed the hike. The rain gave a very Northwesty feel to the hike as well. Wallace Falls is definitely a must-see for all you locals!