Karen and Tom Wanderings

We finally got our act together for a backpack, and we opted to revisit the flanks of Mt. Baker.  Our original plan (Lost Ridge, with 4000' of gain and/or loss each of 3 days) was deemed too aggressive for our lack of hiking this year (and maybe for our old knees, in general).  But we had good memories of Railroad Grade and Park Butte, and the distances and elevation were more reasonable. We arrived at the trailhead on a late Sunday morning, and the big lot was bursting at the seams.  And we crossed paths with many an exiting hiker and climber on our way up.  We opted to stay along Railroad Grade (High Camp, specifically), and it's a good thing.  Since our last visit in 1992, there has been lots of work to limit the damage of the crowds, including closing way trails and limited camping to specified sites.  We would have found out that our other ideas were off limits ... after we got there!  In any case, we powered up the narrow ridge in pretty intens...

After must consternation about severe traffic potential, we drove down to Madras, OR for a chance to experience a total eclipse.  A friend had rented the corner of a farmers field a few miles south of Madras, and 20 or so of us converged for the big event.  We went Saturday (for the Monday eclipse) and had no significant delays with traffic.  We did, however, top off the tank 3 times on the way down, to guard against gas stations running dry.  People coming down on Sunday seemed to have similar experiences.  With a day to kill, we hopped on our bikes for about 25 miles on the nearly empty back roads in the area.  Some nice views of Lake Billy Chinook, created by a dam near the confluence of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers.  Wildfires near Sisters gave us some haze, but also provided beautiful sunsets. Mt Jefferson sunset More sunset colors Still more sunset colors Lake Billy Chinook The eclipse totality was amazing....

The heavy smoke blanketing most of Washington contributed to Tom and Brian cancelling their backpacking plans.  But, they opted for a modest dayhike to Crystal Lakes in Mt Rainier National Park to get out in the hills for some exercise.  The trail up through the forest was dry and dusty, and the air felt thick.  Once past the turnoff to the lower lake, the flower count started increasing dramatically, distracting us from our work.  After a quick bite to eat at the upper lake, we continued up to the pass, and the short traverse to Sourdough Gap.  Many, many flowers along the way!  Surprisingly, we actually got to see "The Mountain", but it was pretty faint through the smoke.  A nice refreshing swim in the upper lake, then back to the car.  And not very crowded!  A good day out.  The area would be super nice in "normal" conditions. Crystal Lakes and Mt Rainier (through the haze) Flowers! Tadpole or Salamander? Flower ga...