Camp Muir

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muir

I made it!!!!!!!

Third time is a charm. We hiked (slogged) to Camp Muir on Friday. The day was overcast but that actually was a blessing. We got above the clouds for a while around 9,000ft. Even for a short hour or so, I got a bit burned through my shirt and a bit on the inside of my mouth. I do a lot of breathing with open mouth and sure enough, I got a bit burned on my tongue and upper mouth.

We left around 7am and got to Paradise around 9:30am. The parking lot and area around the lodge was snow free. We put on our gaters and booted up. We hit the trail by 10am.

The first 1/2 mile was snow free and we hit the first snow patch on the west side of Alta Vist. From there was a large snow patch until the climb up to Glacier Vista which was snow free. The view to the south was visible under the clouds.

By an hour, we had pass Panaroma Point and headed up to Pebble Creek (7200ft). From here it was mostly on the snow. After Pebble Creek, you climb a steep pitch to make it up on to the snow field. We were now in the clouds. Another hiker from Bonney Lake asked if he could climb with us since he had never been up Muir. “Sure!”

We continued up. Soon I passed where I had made it the previous year at around 8000ft. At noon, we paused a long the trail to eat lunch. By now the wind had picked up and we were getting cool. I pulled on the fleece vest.

moonrocks Onward and upward. We stopped for another break at Moon Rocks (9000ft) an hour later. I had been lagging a bit behind so G and the hiker from Bonney Lake had been resting a bit. We pulled out the map to see where we were. I opened up one of the Cliff Shots for a burst of energy. The sun broke out a bit. After a brief break back to the slog. We just started up and the other hiker wanted to go back. We wished him well and off we went. We passed another hiker using power breathing and onward to the Muir glacier. The next hour and half we were in and out of the sun until finally the sun broke out and we could see the huts at Muir. So close and so far. It took me probably another half hour to make it. 4 1/2 hours.

We pulled out the snacks and rested on the warm rocks. The clouds swirled below us and above us the mountain sat like a sleeping god. The hiker we passed at Moon Rocks made it and we talked a bit about climbing. He gave us a shot of Grand Marnier to celebrate. We chatted and snacked.

It was time to head down. We said good bye to our fellow hiker and headed down. Sloshing. Sleeping. Falling. The clouds thickened and we were going from wand to wand. But soon we were below Pebble Creek and then on to asphalt. 2 hours from the start.

A long three hour drive and we were home. A hot bath and a soft bed never felt so good.
boots2

T minus 28 days

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Four weeks! Twenty eight days until Mt. Whitney!

Tomorrow is a good test. We climb to Camp Muir. Weather has been sunny this week but there may be a weak weather system coming through so there may be a cloud layer. I don’t know what I want. The clouds will keep it cooler during the climb, but we won’t have the gorgeous views of the Cascade volcanos.

The training is going well. E and I have been doing the Queen Anne stair climb; Up Galer from Lake Union to 2nd then down to Valley. Then we kick-ass up Warren. It includes one of the steepest blocks in Seattle. E feels the stairs up Galer are pretty wicked also.

Rattlesnake Ledge

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rattlesnake

Okay… so we didn’t get enough with the Miller Loop. It was originally going to be the Richmond Beach stairs again but the day was so nice we decided to check out the new trail up to Rattlesnake Ledge.

We got an early start hoping to beat the hordes of families going up on Fathers Day and the heat. We made the trail head by 10:00 and headed up.

You can tell it is a new trail right off. The usual suspects of roots and rocks are gone as it swings a bit more towards the north. It has a gentler angle but still isn’t too bad; 2 miles, 1100ft to the ledge.

To get a good workout I picked up the pace. Without rocks and roots, you can really get going up the hill. Forty-Five minutes later we were at the ledge! Much better time. We scarfed down a couple of Luna bars and headed down. The families were out and we made frequent stops allowing the uphill climbers to come up. By 1pm we were back at home and working in the garden.

Miller Peak-Iron Bear

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topofmiller
We need to start getting some mileage per hike. Whitney is 22 miles and we need to make certain we can ‘go the distance’. G said we need to look for a hike with more mileage. “Maybe we can find something in a loop”.

That gave me an idea. I have a copy of “Best Loop Hikes in Washington“. We love the Teanaway area on the eastern slopes of the Cascades so I found a great 12 mile loop; Iron Bear-Miller Peak Loop.

We’ve done different parts of the trail. We did Miller last year and it was great. We did part of Iron Bear just a couple of weeks ago when we did Teanaway Ridge. County Line Trail combines the two. Perfect.

What was even better was there was a great trip report last week on just this hike. So off we went.

The day was forecast to be warm so we got an early start. It takes about 2 hours or so to make it from Seattle to the trailhead. There was just one other car so it looked promising. The trail is popular with motorcyclists so we really didn’t expect solitude but one can hope.

We followed the recommendation in the trail guide and went counter-clockwise so the sun could be at our back. The Iron Bear trail starts very level along the stream. It bubbled happily in the morning. The normal woodland flowers although we found some outstanding white shooting stars along the stream beds.

After about two miles, the trail turned north and started climbing to the ridge. The area became more open and rocky and the plants we found were the normal rocky favorites in the Teanaway; Indian Paintbrush, Scarlet Gila, phlox and at the ridge, bitterroot.

We came to the junction of the trail from Blewett Pass that we had done a couple of weeks early. We didn’t recognize it in the sun and continued up switchbacking up the slopes of Iron Bear until we reached the summit and view off over the area. What a view! Along the way we passed our first hiker, a solo backpacker. Little did we know that this would be the only person we saw the whole day.

miller2 After a quick Lunabar, we were off. Down we went to the junction to County Line and then down a steep slope. Boy we were glad we weren’t coming up. We came across a couple of really different columbines. After the pass, we started up towards Miller passing through an interesting rock formation and then on up to a stunning view of the Ingalls Ridge and the Enchantments.

Waves and waves of yellow balsamroot daisies waved in the cooling breeze. I love the openness and feeling of air you get from trail. It isn’t steep but the vistas and ridges go on for a distance. We stopped for lunch while we savored the view. We continued up to the junction with the Miller trail and a couple more switchback to the saddle below Miller.

I was getting tired by now. We had covered 8 miles and probably close to 3000ft. G went on ahead but I surprised him by following him on up. It was a test. If I can’t do this… how in the hell am I going to make Whitney?

viewfrommiller The distant peaks were clouded but you could still see a few of the peaks like Ingalls. By now, it was almost two and we needed to head out. We headed down and made a quick pace to the car. Of course, we stopped along the way to pay our respects to the little brownie orchid we found previously. It was still there but the patch seemed much smaller. Had it been disturbed? Did it have difficulties over the winter? Let’s hope it makes it another year.

Onward and after a bit, we were at the car. A wonderful glorous day. The solitude and vistas left us with a peace that stayed for days. Plus it was a great workout; 12 miles, 3900ft elev 8 hours.

Mount Townsend

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mttown

Time to hit the trail again. We had wanted to Mt. Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula during the spring. We climbed it last year in late July and it was wonderful. Lots of flowers in bloom. We noticed that there were many rhododendrons at the beginning of the trail and we wanted to go back in the spring to see the rhodies in bloom.

The day dawned early and bright. We easily rolled out of bed as the day was clear and sunny and made the 7:55am ferry. It is great going during the week because you can almost drive right on the ferry. The drive to Quilcene was leisurely and we turned on Penny Creek Road which leads to FS # 27. The flowers started right away and increased as we got nearer the trailhead. First off were bright red columbines but soon we saw the pale to dark pink blossoms of our state flower, Rhododendron. They were blooming all along the road and especially up in the clear cuts. It was cool to look up a clear cut slope and see the splotches of pink. Indian paintbrush and blue lupine lined the road as we drove further along.

mt.-townsend
After about an hour from the ferry, we parked in the upper trailhead. There were two other cars and another car pulled in just as we started the hike. The forested trail starts climbing right away at a 20% grade. You hardly notice the grade because the trail is in excellent condition with few rocks or roots to step over. The rhododendrons were not in bloom in the forest. We couldn’t decide if it was because of the elevation or the shade. We also noticed that there were not that many flower buds.

After about a mile or more, the trail, leaves the forest and starts switch backing up out of the valley. In a week or two, the hillside should be in bloom, but right now the paintbrush is just starting to color and most all the other flowers are just emerging. There are some nice bright pink patches of douglasia along the way and lots of phlox. We did come across a large patch of chocolate lilies which was nice to see.

After about 2.5 miles, we reached Camp Windy and a few snow patches. Shortly after this is the junction to Silver lake. We continued up switch backing among the juniper and knick-a-knick. The views were outstanding. We could see Rainier to the south. Glacier peaked just the tip above the foothill haze and we could see Mt. Baker to the north. Squinting, we could actually see a few of the downtown Seattle buildings in the haze.

mttown3
After 2 hours and 4 miles, we reached the crest and walked along the ridge line to the summit. It was a little windy but still warm enough to enjoy our lunch. There was no snow above Camp Windy even at the top. There were a few plants in bloom at the top; mostly geum and cinquefoil.

We were just finishing up our lunch when another party made it to the top shortly followed by several other parties. It was time to leave. We made it back down in about 1 1/2 hours. We weren’t as lucky making it to the ferry. We hit the 3:30 peninsula traffic and just missed the 3:45 ferry. Oh well, the day was warm and we napped waiting for the ferry.

And we weren’t tired at all. It was an 8 mile RT hike and 3,000Ft gain. But was I hungry. I made a big bowl of penne pasta with a sauce of ham and peas in cream. Yummmm.. A load or two of laundry and finally it was off to bed.

Back into training

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Finally, we have gotten back into training for Mt. Whitney. Two months! Just two months to get our butts in gear. We haven’t been on the trail for over a month. I had also gotten out of running with the trips to NYC and CA.

yahne
So a week ago we started with the stairs again. groannnnnn. I did my 8 circuits and G did 10. The next day we did a nice hike in central Washington where we saw some wonderful wildflowers. It was also a good workout at 6 miles and 2000ft gain.

This week, I investigated the new bridge over Aurora Avenue. I can now walk from my office on Lake Union to the top of Queen Anne. I took an hour and walked to the top and then ran along Highland Drive with the gorgeous views of Seattle. I hope to be able to do it every week.

On Saturday, we did the stairs again. Boring but effective. On Sunday, we went to Teanaway Ridge. We had hoped to get out of the rain bur no luck. We got drenched a couple of times but the flowers were wonderful. The hike was short, 3 miles, 1000ft.

Union Restaurant

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God we have been in such a rut. It is so tough when it is spring and G is busy with plant sales and working in the nursery. Plus there is so much to do ourselves in the yard. It has been ages since we have been out to dinner or even ventured together to downtown Seattle. But the plant sales are done so I suggested that we go to dinner.

E-Gullet has been highlighting a thread on their board about a new restaurant called Union. It is at the south end of the Pike Market near the Seattle Art Museum. It sounded very interesting. I was torn between going to Rays for some good Copper River or trying something new. It is somewhat hard with G because he doesn’t eat meat, only fish, when we go out. So it is important to have a good selection of fish or vegetarian on the menu. He hates it when we go out and there is one fish dish and it has some type of meat in it.

After reviewing the thread, I was definitely intrigued and G seemed to be game for trying something new. So I made a reservation on OpenTable and we planned a nice night out. We gave ourselves an hour to drive into downtown Seattle since it was the Friday of Memorial day. It wasn’t bad until we got off on Stewart. It took me almost as long to get from the Freeway to 1st and Union as it did to drive down to Seattle. We parked next to the Wild Ginger and we there a bit early for our 5:30 reservation.

We were one of the first for the evening. It used to bug us to be alone in a restaurant but no longer. It is actually kinda nice. The server explained the restaurant concept. Instead of the typical appetizer, salad, entree, there were three courses groupings on the menu. The plates are small so you are able to taste several different items. A person with a good appetite can easily eat three courses. Or there is the tasting menu which has 7 courses and is an exceptional deal for $45.00. But as usual, it included meat so it wasn’t an option for us.

We decided to have all three courses and ordered a bottle of french Sancerre. The server brought by an amuse bouche of a bite of poached Cooper River Salmon. It was just cooked to lightly and was very tasty. G started with the Mixed salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts. It arrived in a tower of greens on top of the goat cheese and hazelnuts. Very good. I had an outstanding crab and avocado salad. It was crab and avocado mixed together into a circle topped with miners lettuce and accented with an herb oil. For our second course. G had the softshelled crab. It was lightly floured and fried. It was accented with sauted porcini and saba. I couldn’t remember what Saba was until we asked, basically a basalmic like vinegar made from grape juice mosto. Excellent! I had the morel ravioli with favas. The favas were great and the ravioli very good but I didn’t get a strong taste of morels.

For third course, I had the beef loin with shallot sauce and grilled young red onions. Perfect. G had the Copper River with morels and peas. It was just as he liked it.

I was not full so I wanted dessert. I toyed with the idea of having the cheese course but wanted something sweet. Most of the dessert menu was chocolate. There was a rhurbarb crisp but I’m not into rhurbarb so I decided on the Chocolate Espresso pot of creme. Very good. I also had a glass of dessert wine from France. G decided on a grappa.

After dinner, we decided to walk up to see the new Seattle Library. What a wonderful building. It is so Dutch in being functional and designed. The entry from 5th Avenue is stunning. It was closed and we can’t wait to go back to go inside.

It was so much fun walking around and seeing the buildings. Looking at the design on the Cobb building and the lines and views. I miss not going downtown as much since G no longer works in the market. We must do this more often.

Suitcase full of plants

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“Suitcase full of…. ” What is that old saying? Is it a “Suitcase full of Dreams?” I googled it and found everyone seems to say a suitcase full of xxx. But we actually do have a suitcase full of plants.

So how does one bring back 40 plants from California to Washington by plane? Especially since over half are in gallon pots. It is actually very easy but it does take a bit of work.

You take the plant out of the pot and remove about 1/2 or so of the soil. Wrap the rootball in plastic wrap. Trim the plant so that it is about a foot or so high. Then wrap the whole plant in newspaper so that it is in a tube and fold up the bottom. Tape with clear mylar tape. There you have a plant-to-go!

We take along two hardsided old Samsonite pieces of luggage and can get about 24 or plants in the a case. Once you get to your destination, then just unwrap and pot. Very similar to how you might receive plants in the mail from a mail order nursery.

It too us about 3 hours or so to wrap up all the plants. Meanwhile sister and families dropped by and we had a great visit. As usual it goes way to fast.

Soon it was time for our quick trip to the airport. We got to finally drop off the Cruiser and wave good bye again to the Valley.

Cabrillo Plant Sale

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Thursday was a day to spend with the family. Our grand-niece was dropped off at 7:30. G’s mom is day care. A very amazing woman. She is mid-70’s and is taking care of her great granddaughter. She loves it. It has revitalized them even though it is very hard work.

Cierra is a great kid. She is just about 2 years old and helps out. She was helping with the dishes and making her own breakfast. Of course, she could have been on her best behavior.

Mom made a great enchilada dinner and G’s sister and other neice came by for dinner. We also got to see our grand nephew. There is a little rivalry between the two.

Friday was the big day. We left early to drive to Santa Cruz which is about a 2 hour drive. We went down I-5 and over Pacheco Pass to Gilroy and then over Heckler Pass into Watsonville. Here we stopped at Sierra Azul Nursery. Great plants and picked up several salvias. Then we headed into downtown Watsonville for some more Mexican food. We decided to try Las Islitas which was recommended on Chowhound. It was a real experience. The waitress didn’t speak english so it took us a while to switch into our Spanish tourist mode. But it was great. I had the Shrimp Rancheras which was shrimp with tomatoes, onion and chile and G had Shrimp Cucharachas which was shrimp sauted with Chilpote chiles. Yummm..

We still had a bit of time before the sale so we cruised over to Aptos and went to a couple of nurseries. We made it to the sale at 2:45 so we could snag a wagon.

G gave me the list and off I went. I could find everything and soon the wagon was overflowing. I finally gave up and found a place to sit with the wagon and left G to go searching. After about 1 hour, we had almost 2 dozen plants. It was time to back to the Valley. Unfortunately the traffic was pretty heavy and it took us almost three hours to get back.

Salvia buying trip

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The journey started out with an early alarm to make our 7am flight to Sacramento. It was delayed a bit with some mechanical problems but soon we were in flight. We got our car in Sacramento. What a surprise. The agent asked if we wanted to upgrade and we said “No”. We walked out to the lot and looked for the car in U25. What!!! It was a Chrysler PT Cruiser. We ordered a compact and expected to get something like a Neon. Oh well. We never seem to get what we order in CA. It was okay. Sucked gas big time and drove like a van. Actually it was kinda stressful in the traffic because I wanted a small car.

We decided on breakfast at 33rd Street Bistro which was very good. G had the smoked salmon and eggs and I had a tasty scramble with smoked trout, eggs and potatoes. Yummm. The only thing I didn’t like a lot was the toast. Way too thick. But I’d love to go back.

The trip over I-80 was typically; fast and speedy. We headed to our first nursery, Magic Gardens in Richmond. They had an okay selection but nothing new. We ended up getting a black succulent for G’s Mom. Next up was Berkeley Horticulture. Always a great place to visit. Unfortunately, they hadn’t gotten all their deliveries yet for Mother’s Day and the selection of Salvias wasn’t great. We were hoping to pick up a couple of different greggi hybrids but nothing much available.

Next it was off to the Berkeley Botanical Garden. Time flew by as we explored the areas. The California area was not readily accessible so we investigated the South America and Mexico areas. We were so surprised to see the xxx in bloom in the Chile area. These are plants that are in the bromelia family and we did not get to see any when we were in Chile. But here they were in full bloom and they we wild. One of the blooms was chartruse in color. The other one was a strange aqua-ish blue color. It was so weird it looked plastic. We were running out of time so we rushed off to see what we could in the Mexico plants and saw several great salvias in bloom.

We were getting hungry so it was off to Solano Avenue. First stop Solano Cellars to get a couple of bottles of wine. I picked up a St. Clair Sauvignon Blanc from NZ and an interesting Riesling from Germany. Then off to Cactus for some Mexican food. G had the Chile Rellenos, his favorite, and I had the rock shrimp enchiladas which had a great green mole for the sauce. We were in heaven. Then off to fight the traffic and a two hour drive to the Valley.