August 27 - Rattle Snake Ledge Hike

Jessica here!  Today Luke had to head in to his shop to set up his classroom, sooo.... the kids and I had an opportunity to head out early on a hike to ourselves, and enjoy the cooler weather we were gifted today.  Rattlesnake lake is a popular hike for Seattle-area folk because it is only 3 miles south of I-90 in North Bend, and because of the beautiful lake at the base of the trail.  The lake is a favorite spot for picnickers and families on the weekend, although there are currently no fires or barbecues allowed with the dry weather we've had.  This hike, and the Rattlesnake Ridge/Ledge/Lake area, are in the Cedar River Watershed, which is one of the primary water sources for King County.  It's a beautiful natural landscape, tucked in the valley of small mountains all around. 

The kids did great as you'll see in the pics below.  I was so proud of them. 

Here we are on the gravel trail at the North end of Rattlesnake lake, which leads to the trailhead for the Rattlesnake Ridge trail.  Rattlesnake Lake was named after the sound that was made by the grass rustling in the wind in the meadows that used to surround this area.  Early settlers heard it and thought it sounded like the famous snake's rattle.  So now you know.  And there are no rattlesnakes.  (thank God).

There is a nice sign with a map and information at the trailhead.  Usually we take a picture of such maps at the start of a trail so that we can reference it if needed as we go - but with an "out-and-back" hike such as this, there is really no need.   

The kids had so many questions about the sign on the bottom.  I used this as an opportunity:  "That sign says "CAUTION", which is why you will hear Mommy say things like "please be careful" on this hike.  There are areas with steep slopes along the way.  

This is one of the many large boulders found along the trail, especially towards the beginning of the hike.  I explained that glacial retreat that occurred years and years and years ago brought large rocks like this off the mountain to the valleys below.  Claire's analysis: "So this is a Mountain's BABY?????"  Oh my word I just love her.  

Arguably the happiest of the very few young children who made it to the top today.  She was built for this.  Foothills in the background.  This is where we stopped at the top of the ledge to stuff our maws full of chocolate cookies.  Others noticed....in jealousy.

At the top!  2,000' above sea level - a nearly 1200' elevation gain in an hour and a half(ish), and 2 miles.  Going down took us about the same amount of time as it is quite steep and we had the vision of the "person from the sign who didn't listen to his mommy" fresh in our minds.  Easy does it.

This is what the happy hands of a tired and treat filled 4 year old look like after 3 hours of hiking. "I am so dirty from the hike".  We laughed and laughed.

Iverson Railroad Trail - August 17th and 18th

We hiked the Iverson Railroad Trail two days in a row, August 17th and 18th. The first time was just myself and the kids in the morning and the second time, Jessica joined us for a local, afternoon hike. This hike starts at the WA-18 Tiger Mountain Pass, and is on the southeast side of Tiger Mountain.

The hike was in a beautiful part of the forest, and was a good, uphill, athletic workout. The total distance was about 3.5 miles each day, the kids did great and we brought water and snacks along to keep everyone happy. We parked in the parking area near HWY-18, which does not require a pass. If you drive 1/2 mile up the forest service road, there is a parking area that requires a WA State Park Pass.

Although this trail was only wide enough for one person to walk, much of it was a logging railroad in the 1920's. All of the rails and ties were later salvaged in the great depression. There was only a large steel cable half buried in the ground as a remnant of the logging past. This trail can be made into a loop trail by hiking back on the logging road starting at Holder Creek. Recommended for a local hike, and will probably be accessible year round.

Trail head sign.

The trail and the logging road, taken from Google maps.

Levi with his hiking stick.

Claire with her hiking stick.

Down the trail and over the logs.

Blogger fail, won't let me rotate this photo. Come on google.

Those notches in the stumps were cut out by loggers who then inserted boards to stand on to cut the tree down, way back in the ax and hand saw days.

Logging road trail back to the parking area.

Tough kids, hiked 3.5 miles two days in a row.

Luke and Levi

On Friday, Levi put in some batting practice at the local park. (Claire took this photo)

8/15/16 - Hike to Sheep Lake near Mt. Rainier

Another beautiful, sunny day in the Pacific Northwest and we are hiking. This afternoon we revisited the Naches Pass area of WA-410 near Mt. Rainier to hike to Sheep Lake. Our afternoon hike began at the Tipsoo Lake parking area and we hiked over to the Pacific Crest Trail. The hike to Sheep Lake is all along the PCT, and is a popular spot for long-distance hikers to stop and camp for the evening. 

The first 1.25 miles is along a high ridge above Highway 410, with some areas of steep drop cliffs down to the road below. Suddenly, the trail turns sharp left into some deep woods, and it is an uphill climb to Sheep Lake. This forest area was very quiet and calm, and an enjoyable walk up to the lake.

At the lake, we took off our hiking boots and waded in to the very cold water. The lake is surrounded on three sides by high cliffs and was a great place to cool off on a hot hiking day. After a snack we headed back on the trail, although with the sun having dipped behind a mountain peak, the walk back was much darker. Super Jessa Mom had her first aid kit ready to bandage up Claire's knee after a fall on a sharp rock. We will certainly be returning to to Sheep Lake, with more time planned to play in the lake.

The wildflowers are still in bloom in the meadows near Rainier.

A sunny start to our hike to Sheep Lake.

The trail, perched along WA-410.

Approaching the lake after an almost 2 mile trek.

Sheep Lake

Staring at the lake during a snack break.

Rock overlook at Sheep Lake,

Deep forest near the lake.

The trail on the return trip was much darker, and cooler, in the shade.

RT-410 from the start of the trail.

Levi and Claire at the trail-head, Naches Pass (notice the multiple band-aids on her knee)

Not a cloud in the sky.

August 6 - Naches Loop Trail - Mount Rainier

We returned with the kids to the Naches Loop Trail for another excellent hike near Mount Rainier. Today is Washington Trails Day so hiking was for sure in order. The trail-head was busy but not overcrowded, and we were able to park and get moving pretty quickly. The Naches Loop Trail is at an elevation over 5200 feet and the loop trail is about 3.2 miles around. The kids did great, enjoying the variety of wildflowers and even seeing the moon in the sky in the middle of a bright sunny day. It is definitely recommended to hike in the clockwise direction, so the uphill is in the beginning and the sweeping views of Mount Rainier are in front of you for the second half of the hike.

Levi, Jess and Claire surrounded by wildflowers.

Navigating the rocks.

Mount Rainier in the distance.

Family selfie.

This was our lunch-stop view.

Hey Claire!

Claire and Levi

Dream big kids.