| Sunrise Trail to Mount Angeles July 18, 2009 |
The official Klahhane Hike met at Rite Aide at 9 a.m. We decided to hike earlier so it would be cooler, more colorful, and so
we could take additional time to enjoy the wildlife and flowers.
The parking lot at Hurricane Ridge was virtually empty when we started at 8:30 a.m.
we could take additional time to enjoy the wildlife and flowers.
The parking lot at Hurricane Ridge was virtually empty when we started at 8:30 a.m.
Fog covered the strait between the Olympics and Vancouver Island, Canada. (Some of our friends in other states tell us
that since we can see Canada from our house, we are qualified to run for national office.)
that since we can see Canada from our house, we are qualified to run for national office.)
Climbing to Sunrise Point, we had a great view of our hike destination, Mount Angeles.
Looking backwards we had a terrific view of the Olympics and Mount Olympus.
We had not gone very far before we
heard a voice from the rear. It was
Trudy LaLonde. Trudy is such an
inspiration. A few years ago she could
hardly walk as her back failed her. The
doctors fused her back, and today she
can be found hiking all over the
Olympics.
The wild life did not meet our
expectations this morning, but the
flowers were great.
heard a voice from the rear. It was
Trudy LaLonde. Trudy is such an
inspiration. A few years ago she could
hardly walk as her back failed her. The
doctors fused her back, and today she
can be found hiking all over the
Olympics.
The wild life did not meet our
expectations this morning, but the
flowers were great.
One of the most unusual plants in the
Olympics is the Scalloped Onion. It
grows in shale with virtually no water
or dirt
Olympics is the Scalloped Onion. It
grows in shale with virtually no water
or dirt
And a bee snacked
on the Magenta
Paintbrush.
on the Magenta
Paintbrush.
We made it much of the way up Mount Angeles when my
sweetie began to complain about the heat (68 F) and
being tired. Since she kayaked yesterday and then canned
over 53 jars of jam, I felt obliged to stop. Before we said
farewell to Trudy, she did the female hiker bit consulting
her flower book for the name of a flower.
sweetie began to complain about the heat (68 F) and
being tired. Since she kayaked yesterday and then canned
over 53 jars of jam, I felt obliged to stop. Before we said
farewell to Trudy, she did the female hiker bit consulting
her flower book for the name of a flower.
We stopped for a snack and watched
as the first Klahhanes came up the
mountain. We knew, of course, that it
would be the Amazonian women in the
lead.
Soon the first Amazonian appeared
dragging from the pace of the hike.
as the first Klahhanes came up the
mountain. We knew, of course, that it
would be the Amazonian women in the
lead.
Soon the first Amazonian appeared
dragging from the pace of the hike.
The second Amazonian soon appeared.
(She was number one to Heather Park a
couple weeks ago and will soon have her
80th birthday. Not too many years ago she
set the record as the oldest woman to hike
to the top of Mount Rainier. Rumor has it
that she might celebrate her birthday by
hiking Mount Olympus.
After greeting our fellow Klahhanes, we
made the trek back to Hurricane Ridge.
The parking lot was now full of
Californians. Fortunately, they will all
disappear in another six weeks.
(She was number one to Heather Park a
couple weeks ago and will soon have her
80th birthday. Not too many years ago she
set the record as the oldest woman to hike
to the top of Mount Rainier. Rumor has it
that she might celebrate her birthday by
hiking Mount Olympus.
After greeting our fellow Klahhanes, we
made the trek back to Hurricane Ridge.
The parking lot was now full of
Californians. Fortunately, they will all
disappear in another six weeks.
A wasp fed on the nectar
of the Heather which was
abundant on the
mountain.
of the Heather which was
abundant on the
mountain.
