Yesterday was Luna’s sixth birthday! It just doesn’t seem possible that she’s officially middle aged. What does that make me? We celebrated with a hike to Cuthroat Lake – a gem of a lake in the North Cascades. It’s an easily accessible trailhead off of highway 20 and it’s only a two mile saunter to get to the lake. I’ve only been there once before, years ago and in the middle of summer. The mosquitoes chased me away in no time and I never returned til yesterday. Fall is definitely the time to visit Cuthroat Lake. The trail was not overly busy yesterday, surprising for a three day weekend with fine fall weather.
Beautiful colors
On the trail
Most of the small creeks are dry.
After no rain for weeks on end, the trail is very dusty
They needed a break
Pretty
Frozen bubbles
This grass was still frosty at midday
Fall larches color the forest
Ken had to wet a fly
Luna thinks maybe this is a little boring
That’s a tiny trout
Luna’s not sure if this is the highlight of her day
More pretty
Birthday girl with her birthday buff
Fall lighting is the best
Love the way it lights up the larches
A breeze ripples the clear water
More fall colors
Ice crystals force up through the moist soil along the shady side of the lake
The water is so clear – there is no sneaking up on the trout
Blue and yellow – my favorite color combination
Larches are my favorite trees
Exploring
And still more pretty
Treasures
Mom and baby sister
Lots of local Methow folks made the trip to Cuthroat Lake yesterday.
My Everyday Photos 