Yesterday I hiked to Tiffany Mountain again. You may recall that Luna and I walked that trail back in July. Pictures are here. This time, my friend Marcy and her dog Guthrie went along. It started out fairly chilly with Marcy wearing a wool sweater but soon we were warm and enjoying the trail. It was good to be at a high elevation. Our valley is full of smoke from forest fires burning in various places throughought north central Washington. It looks like some will burn til the snow falls. Right now, there is no rain in the forecast to dampen them.
Tiffany looks much different than it did in July. At that time the snow was newly melted and the ground was moist and wildflowers were coming in to bloom. Yesterday, the trail was dusty; most flowers were dried and the grass was crisp. The verdant greens were gone replaced with dusty yellows and oranges. The first larch trees have turned yellow.
Exuberant dogs, happy to out of the car and on the trail
Stopping for a break in the sun, Guthrie expressed interest in my snacks
Layers of forest fire smoke fill the valleys and obliterate the views
A cool rock
If there’s an edge, Luna will stand next to it and look down
Tiffany Lake in the distance
Lunch away from the edge and sheltered from the breeze. The smoke is getting higher.
Looking back at the mountain top
Lots to photograph along the trail
We both enjoyed this red leafed plant with tiny leaves.
Fall colors
And still some paintbrush in bloom!
The first yellow larch trees
We were late for the fireweed flowers
The seedheads are pretty interesting and still colorful
An old burned forest.
My Everyday Photos 