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Another Day, Another Mountain

August 3, 2016 – 9:22 am
Posted in hike
Tagged dogs, hike, prairie smoke, Tiffany Mountain, wildflowers
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Mary had to cut her Washington vacation short rather abruptly when a wildfire threatened her community and even her home. So far her place is safe and hopefully will stay that way. She was able to get some stuff out when she returned and then stayed at a place out of danger. With fires threatening people and landscapes all over the west, we all seem to live in a state of fear during the summer.

But for one day, before the fire, we enjoyed a beautiful hike in the high country, going to the top of 8000 foot Tiffany Mountain. It was sunny and cool and NOT buggy! Once again we had incredible views – this time into the Pasayten Wilderness, the Sawtooth Mountains and even into the Okanogan Highlands. A perfect mountain day.

On the trail through the meadows

Prairie Smoke, my favorite little wildflower these days.

Luna resting in the lupine

Sky on a rock

What bird is this?

Are you going to eat that Mary?

Views!

Can I help you?

Luna sees something

Sky isn’t sure about the puffball.

It’s the black dog gang!

A Few Good Bird Sightings and Some Wet Weather

July 12, 2016 – 2:52 pm
Posted in hike
Tagged birds, dogs, mountain bluebird, Savannah Sparrow, storm, Tiffany Mountain, wildflowers
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The weather forecast indicated about 20% chance of rain in the mountains yesterday. Around here, that means it’s not likely to rain. It was sunny and reasonably warm at home when the girls and I left for the 6500′ Freezeout Trailhead and the hike to Tiffany Mountain. The temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit and it was sunny when we started walking. Good weather for an uphill hike to the 8242′ summit.

In the burned forest (this is part of the Tripod burn from ten years ago) I heard and saw numerous birds, including lots of young ones with adults searching for food to feed the nestlings.

When we walked away from the trees, the sky was solidly overcast but still no sign of rain. Nearing the top, I started to feel occasional pelts of small hail. At the top, it was obvious that the weather was going to take a turn for the worse. We shared my peanut butter sandwich and I put on my extra layers (two coats, gloves and a wool hat) and tucked my camera away. Normally we would linger on the mountain top and look around for more birds and flowers and maybe ladybugs but not this time. It was hailing pretty solidly by then. And as we walked downhill it was soon raining. We didn’t notice the birds or flowers much on the way down. Still, it never got too cold and it wasn’t windy and I had the right extra gear with me. Overall it was a nice day.

Roger Lake is a real gem

Lots of downed lots on the lower part of the trail but they didn’t slow Sky any.

Paintbrush

A very young grouse – either a Dusky Grouse or a Spruce Grouse, depending on who I ask.

This game camera is aimed right at the trail. Are they counting hikers and dogs or looking for something else?

Lupine

Mountain Bluebird nest hole

Male Mountain Bluebird feeding young

Male Mountain Bluebird at the nest hole

Female Mountain Bluebird feeding young

I think this is a Savannah Sparrow

Reliable water following rainy summer days

Luna was wet before it even started raining

Horned Larks nest on the side of Tiffany

Near the top looking back at the trail

Approaching storm

I was hoping it would go towards the Okanogan and not towards me

See the storm on the other side of the ridge past Tiffany Lake?

A Short Break

July 10, 2016 – 5:25 pm
Posted in Harts Pass, Uncategorized
Tagged Harts Pass, hike, North Cascades, snow, Swainson's Thrush, wildflowers
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To the mountains. The season to visit is short and seems shorter each year. Maybe because of aging and the sense that time flies ever faster each year, or maybe because of the impact from fires on our small community. Whatever it is, I always feel like I don’t get enough time in the mountains. So on Friday I left at noon, knowing it would be a long drive and I’d not have too much time, but it was worth it. The dogs were ecstatic to play in the old snow and I relished the early summer mountain wildflowers – some so similar to what bloomed here months ago and others much different. The weather was cool and there was a little bit of rain. We didn’t care.

The dogs really enjoy running and playing in snow. They take turns being the chaser and the chasee but Luna gets to decide when it’s game over.

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The flowers and the views were outstanding. Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes sang from the tops of trees and under the brush.

A thrush, I think it is a Swainson’s Thrush.

Anemone?

Monkshood?

Phlox

Heather

Buttercup. These bloomed at home in April!

Arnica peaking out of the talus slope

A very interesting buttercup

I got a raindrop on my lens.

What Happened to June?

June 25, 2016 – 8:21 pm
Posted in summer
Tagged birds, fawn, home, lupine, mariposa, raven, smokejumpers, sunrise, sunset, vernal pond, wildflowers
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June 25 and what have I done this month? One hike. Two sets of visitors. Designed the cover for Ken’s soon-to-be-released CD. Walked my dogs. Two weddings that you can see here and here. Time flew by and now it’s nearly July.

We had one week of hot weather and then it returned to often windy and cloudy and even some good June rains. The grasses on our hill are taller than the dogs. Lupine continues to bloom along with the beautiful mariposa lilies that I cannot quit photographing. Bluebirds and swallows have fledged. A raven family spent a couple of weeks terrorizing the nesting birds. I do admire ravens but really I wish they did not eat eggs and other baby birds. Smokejumpers from the airport across the valley trained in the hot weather and in the windy weather.

Sunrise

dew drops on spider web

Tiny fawn

Raven breakfast

The vernal pond is still there

Eastern Kingbird

Sky

wild aster

Lupine and a dusting of new snow on the mountains across the way

Serviceberries

Currants

Dusky Grouse displaying to me and the dogs

Tree Swallow

Western Bluebird

Buckwheat

Mariposa

New growth on sage

Lupine and yarrow

tall grasses and yarrow

Lush grasses and dead trees

sunset

Goat Peak

On Saturday there was a lot of rain and I was able to finish up most of my work inside. Sunday I worked outside. And so that gave me a free day yesterday to go for a hike! What a relief to get out in the mountains again. Isn’t that what summer should be all about?

I guess today is the first day of summer and yesterday didn’t feel particularly summer-like, but on this hike, it is good to have a cool day. The trail climbs steeply, going pretty much straight up the north face of the mountain. It’s not a long hike – five miles round trip but for me it seems grueling even going down. My knees complained with every step on the downhill stretch.

But the views. They are terrific. And that’s fitting for the site of a historic lookout that continues to be staffed in the summer months. The trail also provides lots of opportunities to look at wildflowers early in hiking season. Later it will be dry and dusty. And there was lots of old snow to satisfy the dogs.