Washington Hike: Deception Pass State Park 29 December 2011

Cheryl and I hiked at Deception Pass State Park in Washington on a cloudy, but not rainy, December day.  It was a long trek to the trailhead from Bainbridge Island as we had to include a ferry crossing from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island.  The hike was beautiful but not entirely quiet because the navy planes at the Whidbey Island Naval Base make lots of noise.  We enjoyed our day on the beautiful coast.

 Cascades looking east from the ferry at Pt Townsend

 The area near the Deception Pass bridge

 We hiked around the upper most point in the photo

 Deception Pass bridge

 You can see the San Juan Islands in the distance

 a gigantic salal forest!

 Deception Island

 a madrone

 Looking back to Whidbey Island North Beach

 a twisty madrone

 a lumpy madrone

 a bumpy, pealing madrone

Cheryl on the Bowman Bay beach

Henline Mountain Lookout 21 December 2011

A winter solstice hike.
I left Salem in a state of fog but broke out into brilliant sunlight before I turned off onto the back road to the trail head. Henline Mountain Lookout is a 5.6 mile hike straight up the mountain side. 2200 ft in 2.8 miles. The hike reminded me of Grizzly Peak but steeper. Had to take care on the snow fields, but obviously I made it. Lunched all by myself at the top with a beautiful view of the Opal Creek wilderness, the coast range and the tip of Mt Jefferson. Beautiful day and a good work out.  Note to self:  wear boots next time and bring hiking poles.

 The trail starts out straight up the mountain.

 First look out - view west

 Mt Jefferson

 snowfield

 from the top looking east

 Battle Ax in the distance, snowfield at the top

 looking west

Opal Creek wilderness...using the self timer

Opal Creek December 9 2011

Jean and I hiked this 7 mile partial loop trail on the most fantastic winter day.  We had the trail to ourselves and everything was covered in frost.  The trail is accessed off of Hwy 22 in Mehama.  After driving about 15 miles on paved Little North Fork road, continue for another 5 on gravel.  The road is very easy to follow.
The trail is the road for 2.2 miles when it crosses the creek on a bridge and heads into the forest.  We turned around at Opal Pool but we could have gone on for another 1.5 miles.  Another time. 

 Opal Creek

 this frost is 1-2 inches high and covered the bridge

 beargrass on ice

 these were "growing" out of the ground like mushrooms

some areas were untouched by the frost and very lush and green

 Sawmill Falls was surreal

 rocks at Sawmill Falls

 Jean in an old building and on the wet trail

 these were huge!

 Opal Pool

Old cars at Jawbone Flats

Falls and Mushrooms December 2 2011

Friday was partly cloudy and cool (30's-40's) but dry, and I hadn't been on a hike in a month, so I changed all my appointments and headed to Silver Falls State Park.  This park is very popular in the summer, but not so in winter.  I began the hike on the Rim Trail heading out from the North Falls area.  I have been here on many occasions so the focus of the photography this trip was the abundant mushroom population and a photo of each of the falls for the blog.  Because little sunlight reaches the forest floor in winter, it was hard to get clear shots of the mushrooms, so I did my best.  I have posted even slightly blurry ones just to give you an idea of the variety.  The video above takes you on a walk to the back of the North Falls.  Enjoy your virtual hike!

North Falls from the Rim Trail

South Falls

Lower South Falls

Lower North Falls

Double Falls

Drake Falls

the tiniest mushroom

Middle North Falls

Twin Falls

this mushroom was larger than my hand

North Falls