Snow in the month of June...
After three days of long and incredibly interesting classes (more on that later), I was super excited to have the chance to go on another great hike. I want to explore as many trails as possible this summer and intend on making a trip at least every couple of weeks. Because I was so busy with class, I let Blaise pick a good day hike for us to go on.
This time, we headed out to Dorothy Lake, which is part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The hike is not supposed to be open until late June due to snow and washouts. But it turned out to be fine. Unfortunately, on the way, there was a terrible accident on Hwy 522 involving a semi, another truck, and what looked like 6-7 other vehicles. I think the accident must have happened less than ten minutes before we got to the scene. I am so thankful that we are both o.k. I think it’s a miracle, and feel that there is a lot more left for me to do in this life. A lot more for both of us to do...
We decided to turn around and circle back to Highway 2. It took us about an hour out of the way. I didn't mind though, because it was a beautiful drive. The trail book warned that the last 2 miles before the Dorothy Lake trailhead might be washed out this time of year. Sure enough, when we were almost there, a small river crossed the road. Blaise didn't think we should go any farther. I went out into the middle of the river, in the freezing water, to see how strong the current was. Although I was a bit worried about the depth of the water, I thought we'd be fine. Thank god for all-wheel drive and for Swedish-engineered safety! Watching Blaise drive across the river, it felt like watching a Volvo commercial. Have I mentioned how much I love my car?
It took us about 2.5 hours to hike to the end of Dorothy Lake. We almost turned around 7 or 8 times on the way, as we had to cross patches of very deep (but still melting) snow that could have given way at anytime, countless streams, and rocky cliffs. This hike was much more difficult for me, as the trail seemed more like a giant staircase than a real hiking trail and it put a lot of pressure on my knee. I iced it with snow along the way, and was lucky to have a brace that helped with the pain when hiking (climbing) back down.
We got back a little after eight, which was perfect, because it was just about dark.
All in all, it was a great day. The best part? For me, it was running in the snow--even though I could have fallen in. Maybe Zia is right; maybe I do like to flirt with danger. I would have climbed down the rocks to get to an oasis in the river, but I didn't want to push my luck. And, I might have been walking back to Seattle by myself if I did...
I can't wait to go again!
This time, we headed out to Dorothy Lake, which is part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The hike is not supposed to be open until late June due to snow and washouts. But it turned out to be fine. Unfortunately, on the way, there was a terrible accident on Hwy 522 involving a semi, another truck, and what looked like 6-7 other vehicles. I think the accident must have happened less than ten minutes before we got to the scene. I am so thankful that we are both o.k. I think it’s a miracle, and feel that there is a lot more left for me to do in this life. A lot more for both of us to do...
We decided to turn around and circle back to Highway 2. It took us about an hour out of the way. I didn't mind though, because it was a beautiful drive. The trail book warned that the last 2 miles before the Dorothy Lake trailhead might be washed out this time of year. Sure enough, when we were almost there, a small river crossed the road. Blaise didn't think we should go any farther. I went out into the middle of the river, in the freezing water, to see how strong the current was. Although I was a bit worried about the depth of the water, I thought we'd be fine. Thank god for all-wheel drive and for Swedish-engineered safety! Watching Blaise drive across the river, it felt like watching a Volvo commercial. Have I mentioned how much I love my car?
It took us about 2.5 hours to hike to the end of Dorothy Lake. We almost turned around 7 or 8 times on the way, as we had to cross patches of very deep (but still melting) snow that could have given way at anytime, countless streams, and rocky cliffs. This hike was much more difficult for me, as the trail seemed more like a giant staircase than a real hiking trail and it put a lot of pressure on my knee. I iced it with snow along the way, and was lucky to have a brace that helped with the pain when hiking (climbing) back down.
We got back a little after eight, which was perfect, because it was just about dark.
All in all, it was a great day. The best part? For me, it was running in the snow--even though I could have fallen in. Maybe Zia is right; maybe I do like to flirt with danger. I would have climbed down the rocks to get to an oasis in the river, but I didn't want to push my luck. And, I might have been walking back to Seattle by myself if I did...
I can't wait to go again!
posted by Elizabeth at 6:46 PM
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