Davis Peak movie slideshow

This weekend i fooled around with Picasa's movie maker. Here's what fooling around on a rainy Saturday made. 
The slide show is taken from my day hike to Davis Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA.
Enjoy!!!

Davis Peak, Alpine lakes wilderness

Starting the adventure

The Davis Peak trail is a great day hike with some of the best views of Mt Stuart and Mt Daniel along with many other numerous peaks. Sitting at 6,426 foot the peak has an old fire lookout along the trail just before the summit. 
With switchback after switchback the hike is mildly strenuous. After you reach remnants of an old wildfire the trees thin out with majestic mountain landscapes completing surrounding you.
If you enjoy photography its worth your time!!

Angel wings mushroom?

Indian Paintbrush along the trail

Mt Stuart from near Davis peak

Cle Elum River and lake from an old fire lookout

Mt Rainier from near Davis Peak

The old fire lookout

Mt Daniel's three peaks

Atop Davis Peak looking North

Lake Terence with Mt Daniel (r) and Mt Hinman (l)

Lake Opal with Mt Stuart

My view on the hike out

DRIFT CREEK FALLS, OREGON

Lincoln City, Oregon has plenty of ocean beaches to sink your toes into.
It also has a nearby 66 ft waterfall so when the rain starts to fall or the heavy fog smothers the ocean view head inland for a quick 3 mile hike to view Drift Creek falls.
                   
The trail is short, downhill and full of lush shades of green from ground to sky.
Run or slowly swing across the 250 foot swinging bridge as the roar of the waterfall echoes of the rocks.
                    




                    

With only 490 feet of elevation gain, heading back to your car, the trail is perfect for a family adventure.
There use to be a lovely pool below the falls wear one could wade in and cool off from the summer heat. In 2014 when i visited the falls the pool is non-existent as a huge apart of the cliff split off and collapsed into the pool.
More info on Drift creek falls:
www.waterfallsnorthwest.com

Info:

Miles: 3 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 490 ft, down first
trail number: 1378
Best use: day hike, picnic, kid friendly
Land: Siuslaw National Forest
Permit: NW Forest Pass required or $5
Parking lot amenities: large parking lot, bathroom

Park Butte Lookout, Mt Baker

Wanna stare straight into the glory of Washington State's 3rd tallest mountain?
Then hike up to Park Butte lookout for a long stare off!!!! 

Mt Baker from Park Butte Lookout trail

Last weekend was cold but also clear so i headed up to the North Cascades for a quick day hike. 
Park Butte Lookout trail runs 3.6 miles long with the final destination obviously being an old fire lookout. 

Red Breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber

The views are outstanding!!! Mt Baker dominates the northern skies while endless mountains nestle in along the skyline to the east and south. Glacier Peak can be scene along with the rugged Picket Range. To the south the Twin Sister Mountains should catch another long stare. 

The Twin Sisters from Park Butte Lookout

Park Butte Lookout is not used anymore as an lookout but rather a place to stay for anyone who loves endless stars and peaks to gaze at. Its first come first serve. Inside the lookout is seems as if the rangers just got up and left. Your the ranger now. If your fortunate to eyeball  clear skies, a fire is hard to miss.

Mt Baker(r) Colfax Peak(m) and Lincoln Peak(l)

The trailhead has plenty of parking which is great but not if your looking for solitude, come early. There's plenty of wilderness campsites below the lookout but bring a tent just in case the lookout is full. This trail is still 5 stars for all you outdoor hermits!!

Looking east into the Picket Range

Park Butte Lookout

Looking southeast from the lookout

Websites
Mt baker snoqualmie National forest site
PDF
National Historic Lookout registar
Skagit Alpine Club

Trail #: 603
Best use: backpacking, day hiking, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding
Miles: 7.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2,100 ft gain
Map: Green trails 13S
Land: Mt Baker National Recreation Area
Permit required: NW forest pass for parking lot
Wilderness campsites: Cathedral camp .8 miles from lookout
Regulations: No fires
Parking Lot amenities: Toilets, plenty of parking, campsites
Wildlife scene: Red caped sapsucker, chickadee
Water along trail: Yes

Visiting Zion National Park

My friend and i took advantage of a companion fare from Alaska Airlines and headed down to Vegas for the weekend!!!
It was near midnight as we drove through the people packed Vegas strip on our way to our hostel.  Driving through the strip took forever but to our full enjoyment!!! Pulling in to Sin City Hostel, very much recommended, we were cheerfully greeted by a happy tourist passing out free Budweiser. After settling into the hostel we set out for Fremont St. We walked the street and enjoyed the festivities and music along with a tasty couple of pizza slices then back to the hostel. But no gambling. Vegas was actually not what we came for!!!
Zion national Park has been on our list of national parks for some time. With spring time being the best time to visit we launched our attack. The weather was in the mid 90's in Vegas to high 80's in Zion. The heat was great compared to drizzly cool Seattle. We enjoyed filling up on vitamin D the whole trip!! 

Our view of the Virgin River from Angel's Landing

Saturday we drove north from Vegas and into Zion National Park. Zion National Park is perfectly set up for tourists. Visiting is fun and simple to navigate. The bus ride is relaxing while the canyon wall landscapes grab your attention the whole ride. Your head may be a little sore from lifting your chin up the whole ride.
Along the ride are many stops with viewpoints and trail heads from easy to moderately hard.
Angel's landing is a must!!!

3/4 of the way up to Angel's Landing

Angel's Landing has sweeping views of the Virgin river along with the gigantic canyon walls. Its not for the faint of heart as the steep cliffs straddle you on both sides. Railings and chains attached to the rock wall help stabilize the queasy feelings you may get.

Another must do.... The Narrows!

The Narrows near the south entrance

We rented from neoprene boots with two hiking sticks and up the river we waded and hiked. The steep walls go straight up the slot canyon as it is almost full of the Virgin River's swift waters. 

Huge rock in the Narrows. This didn't end well!!

One of the deepest parts of the Narrows

Yakima Sunrise Timelapse

While tent camping along the Yakima River two weeks ago i played around with a timelapse app on my phone called Timelapse Pro. My camera doesn't take great videos but it's still worth a post.

My phone died half way through the sunrise next time i'll capture it all!

Enjoy!!

There's nothing like watching a sunrise!!!

Anderson Point , Baker Lake

Mt Baker from camp

I was invited by a friend for a quick backpacking trip to Baker Lake. Never exploring the area before I quickly said yes. Once I found out it was only a 1.6 hike into camp I was a little disappointed, only 1.6 miles that's nothing .
The weekend came and went. The flat 1.6 miles I quite enjoyed. The campsite we captured was right on beautiful Baker Lake with stunning views of Mt Baker!! 
The overnight trip was easy, enjoyable and relaxing compared to most my backpacking trips. Not that I dont enjoy all my trips but once in a while a low-key trip is a must. I look forward to the next one.
All 6 campsites became snatched up before nightfall. There were 3 more camps further down the trail where one is likely to find more solitude. 
The views of baker were quite impressive. Looking out the tent I was spellbound of the 10,000 ft beast.
No fish were caught. The ranger said the lake is not for good fishing except when the USFW  department releases sockeye salmon every summer bringing them up from below the dam. Fishing is also good when the kokanee start to feed which occurs in july and august. I'm down for that!! Backpacking,camping and fishing for salmon all in one place. Fish fry!!!!! I'll be back!!!

PERFECT NAP TIME SCENERY

MAKE SHIFT BRIDGE JUST BEFORE CAMP

Trail #: 610

Miles:1.9/ 3.8 round trip

Land: Mt Baker National Forest 

Permit: NW forest pass

Elevation Gained:

Parking Lot: Enough spaces for about 12 cars after that park on Forest R.

Campsites: Anderson has 6 sites that i saw

Camping:There are 4 primitive hike in camps: Anderson point, Maple grove, Silver creek, Noisy creek

Boating: Instead of backpacking into the campsites you can boat in from the several boat ramps from the westside of baker lake

Wildlife seen: None

Map: Green trails 13S

Directions: From Seattle - Take I-5 north and exit at exit 232. Head east on Cook road towards Sedro-woolley.At the traffic circle take the 2nd exit onto Edward R.Murrow st. Next,turn right on F and S Grade road. Next take a left onto Hwy 9 which will next bend right and turns into Hwy 20. Take Hwy 20 for 16.9 miles and turn left onto Baker lake Rd. Follow Baker Lake rd for awhile until Forest Road 1112 appears, take right. F.R. turns into F.R. 1106. Follow it across the dam and then take a right onto F.R 1107. Trail head will soon be on your left.

Talapus Lake

FROM A WESTSIDE CAMPSITE

Looking for a quick morning or evening lake hike?
Just say 
"Talapus Lake" and say no more.
My friends and I hiked up to Talapus Lake a few weeks ago for an evening hike. After running the Rock and Roll half marathon, like we couldn't get enough exercise, we romped up to Talapus on its quick easy 3.2 miles round trip trail!! 

FROM JUST OFF THE TRAIL

Just off I-90 Talapus has easy access. This trail is very popular and  is in great condition because of it. At around 6oo elevation gain beginners and experts alike can meander up the trail with minimal effort. 

The lake holds fish but we weren't able to fish it as half way up the trail while on a quick water break i laid down both fishing poles and accidentally left them there. There they layed halfway up as we sat disappointingly enjoying the evening's mosquito frenzy at the lake. Thanks to gracious hikers both poles were waiting for me back the trailhead.

Several campsites are available at the lake. The lake is very brushy along the shoreline except for the far end of the lake which is only accessed off trail.

Trail: #1039 Talapus lake trail

Miles roundtrip: 3.4 mi

Permit: NW forest pass, if staying overnight in a wilderness permit it required for the alpine lakes wilderness area

Elevation gained: 4,500 feet 

Campsites: I saw 5 total sites

Parking lot: a large number of parking spaces, with a toilet

Map: Green trails map 207S

Wildlife seen: None

Nearby trails: Olallie lake trail- which is another 1.4 miles from Talapus lake. Pratt lake trail #1007, Mt Defiance trail 1009

Directions: From I-5 take exit 45. Follow forest rd 9030. Stay on 9030 by taking a right after .8 miles. The trail will be on 9030 2.4 miles from the right turn.

FAUNA OF MOUNT ADAMS

On our way climbing up Mt Adams, the wilderness beautifully produced blooming wildflowers everywhere. I had to reach in my pocket for the phone camera.

Several years ago a fire ripped through the lower part of the south climb trail. With the history of the wildfire and along with Mt Adams being in the eastern part of the Cascades the area wasn't abundant with plant life. Therefore i was able to take pictures of every kind of wildflowers i found alongside the trail.

Here they are in no random order. I used my trusty book "Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast" as my plant I.D. helper. Mt Adams is a little bit too far east for this book hence the question mark for three plants i couldn't I.D.

If you know or maybe know the name please respond to my blog, thanks!!

ARCTIC LUPINE

SULFUR BUCKWHEAT

Not actual Buckwheat but is similar  as the flowers look the much alike.

ALPINE MARIPOSA LILY

The Spanish settlers named this flower after the butterfly, mariposa is Spanish for butterfly. Also called Sego Lily meaning edible bulb in native Shoshonean

ALPINE BUCKWHEAT

SUBALPINE DAISY

COMMON RED PAINTBRUSH

COASTAL PENSTEMON

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HAIRY ROCKCRESS

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SPREADING PHLOX

Phlox is Greek for Flame

ZION NATIONAL PARK VIA PICTURES

MY FRIEND AND I TOOK AN AMAZING WEEKEND TRIP TO ZION NATIONAL PARK SEVERAL MONTH AGO. IT WAS QUICK AND FAST WITH NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SEE IT ALL BUT DEFINITELY WORTH EVERY MINUTE!!!

HERE'S THE PICTURES I WANTED TO SHARE. I WILL BE WRITING ANOTHER BLOG POST ABOUT OUR TRIP BUT KNEW I COULDN'T ALL THE PICTURES IN THE POST. PLUS I KNOW MANY  OF YOU ACTUALLY DON'T READ MY POSTS (SHAME ON YOU) BUT RATHER BROWSE FOR PICTURES.

HERE'S THE MIGHTY MAJESTIC ZION!!!

HIKING THROUGH THE CANYON IS QUITE AWE INSPIRING, WE WERE CONSTANTLY LOOKING UP

THE VIRGIN RIVER WITH ANGEL'S LANDING ON THE RIGHT, THE ORGAN IN THE MIDDLE AND OBSERVATION POINT UP ABOVE

THE TRAIL OUT TO ANGEL'S LANDING

LOOKING NORTH AT THE VIRGIN RIVER FROM ATOP THE ANGEL'S LANDING TRAIL

HIKING UP THE VIRGIN RIVER

SO MANY AWESOME ROCK FORMATIONS

AT TIMES THE VIRGIN RIVER CAN BECOME WASTE DEEP

THIS DIDN'T END WELL!!! THE DEEP POCKET OF RIVER WASN'T SO DEEP

THE BREATH HOLDING TRAIL TO ANGEL'S LANDING

STARTING THE TRAIL TO ANGEL'S LANDING WITH THE LANDING UP ABOVE

CAN YOU FIND THE LIZARD? THEY ALMOST OUT POPULATED THE HIKERS

THE VIRGIN RIVER A SPECTACULAR EXPERIENCE HIKING ITS WATERS!!