Stafford Creek / Navaho Pass

June 25-26, 2016

It's been nearly two years since Andy and I have done an overnight trip. We've been busy being pawrents!

The day after my international work trip, we made a couple sandwiches, packed up, and headed to the Stafford Creek trailhead in Teanaway/Cle Elum. Seeing as this was a one-nighter, we decided to be lazy with our meals - a simple ham sandwich once we got to camp and a protein bar for breakfast. We brought almonds and pork jerky for snacks.

The Stafford Creek trailhead was easy to find and the drive was smooth but for a few large potholes. There were some nice car camping sites along the creek. Many of the sites were empty on that sunny Saturday afternoon. The parking lot was full when we arrived at 1:30 PM (latest start to date. I love the long days of summer!) but we were able to find a good spot along the road. A NW Forest Pass is required, or you can pay the $5/night fee at the self-serve station. A toilet is available in the lot, too.

This 5 mile hike had a very gradual elevation gain and was popular with mountain bikers. Before we knew it we had reached 6,000'. During the entire hike I was anticipating some strenuous series of switchback or massive climb, but there was none of that up to the Pass. The meadow everyone mentions in their trip reports was grassy and green. You'll know when you're there. From what I could see, there were a half dozen tents pitched around there. Not satisfied with the area, Andy and I continued up to the Pass and found a spot next to a large rock and close to a stream. We were greeted by a neighbor's dog, Cooper the Puggle, who hung out with us anytime we ate.

Hi, Andy

The meadow and tents pitched around the perimeter

Found a nice spot off the Pass

Dinner with Andy and Cooper

By 6 PM we'd set up camp and finished dinner. We wanted to catch the sunset from Navaho Peak, a half mile scramble from our site, but it was still too early (sunset just past 9) so we napped/hung out in the tent for an hour before heading out.

Prepared with our jackets, headlights, snacks, and water we started the climb to Navaho Peak. There were a couple awesome sites on the way and we were seriously contemplating running back down to grab our stuff to take the site, but decided not to considering how much colder it would be up there. Up and up we went, being careful because we didn't have trekking poles. The climb up was generally steep with dry, loose dirt and rocks. The sun was setting, making Dragontail and the Enchantments breathtaking. I wasn't skilled enough to snap decent photo with my phone, though, because the sun was setting behind it. I looked behind us during the climb and, to my surprise because we were so high up, saw a gorgeous and clear view of Mount Rainier and Helens.

Not wanting to risk a scary slide down from 7,000' in the dark without trekking poles we made it one hump short of the peak before turning back. We caught the remainder of the show from the upper site not too far from Andy in the photo below.



Hiking down during sunset

Wildflowers are still out and about

Swirly tree trunk

It ended up being a clear night and the stars were shining brightly. Milky Way dust was visible to the naked eye. We woke up just after sunrise with the moon still up. The hike down was easy on the knees and took just about 2 hours. Per east hikes tradition, we visited Leavenworth for the rest of the morning and early afternoon before heading home.


 

Rattlesnake Mountain Trail

March 26 & April 9, 2016

With Christine in town for a few weeks on holiday from NZ, we took a family day hike at the slightly less popular Rattlesnake Mountain Trail (west). It seemed like an awesome beginner's trail to run, so a few weeks later Andy and I returned to do just that.

This hike is an easy drive from home and parking was plentiful on both early Saturday mornings. Two toilets are available at the TH.

The hike itself is a pretty steady climb right from the get-go, but afterwards, is quite relaxed with a few gains here and there to keep you excited.

The first lookout, Stan's Overlook, is about 2.5 miles in and offers a nice view. There were two benches and a picnic table which we utilized for our snack break.

The Fam

View from Stan's Overlook

We then headed to Grand Prospect, the second overlook, which was 5 miles in from the TH. There was still some snow on the ground in late March. Toby went crazy, wildly rubbing his body and face in the packed snow. Two benches were available to take in the views.

 

Definitely recommend hitting this trail as early as you can (opens @ 7am). We were met by some dozen groups of hikers on the way down towards late morning during both visits.

North Creek Park Boardwalk

February 7, 2016

In our backyard lies the North Creek Park Boardwalk. I'm glad we finally went to check it out. There were only a few cars in the parking lot the morning of Super Bowl 50 with a playground just across the way. The boardwalk was in excellent shape and none of it was under water. It's a nice family-friendly stroll and, with the exception of flowing water in areas, very still. I didn't observe any beavers or birds flying around that morning, but my attention may have been focused on Toby getting incredibly muddy walking through the wetland and not on the boardwalk.

Whistler Village

December 11, 2015

To celebrate our 10 year anniversary, Andy and I took a four day trip up to Vancouver, B.C. It's so beautiful up there during the holiday season. It was an easy drive up to Whistler Village on Friday morning. Shops were not quite open yet when we arrived at 10 a.m. so after having some hot buttered rum at the bottom of the slopes, then grabbing london fogs at the cafe, we took a hike to upper Whistler Village.

Hot buttered rum by the fire

There are some side trails (Bridge Meadows and Valley Trails) on the way up to the village which we hit on the way back down. I guess it was more of a stroll, but that's besides the point! It was the perfect day up there - a one day break between drenching rains and no crowds because it was a weekday.

Fancy-pants Andy

Fitzsimmons Creek

Check out my big, comfy snow boots

As you can see, the trails were wide and well-packed. The Bridge Meadows Trail takes you past the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center which we visited as well.

With the day still young we finally decided to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We practically had the whole place to ourselves and once the sun set, the whole place lit up. Definately a fun place for kids. My favorite part was "Treetops Adventure" where you walk on seven suspension bridges through old growth Douglas-firs. Magnificent.

Main suspension bridge

Treetop Adventure bridges above me. The fallen tree below me was a 46 ton tree the fell during a storm in 2006.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, folks! My resolution for 2016 will be to go hiking or backpacking at least once per month. We were a far cry from that that year, weren't we? Sayonara, 2015! I'm welcoming the new year with open arms :)

Deception Pass State Park

October 24 - 25, 2015

A car camping trip at Deception Pass was in order the day after I came back from my work trip in Missouri. The fall foliage was lovely.


 

***

Since Deception Pass State Park is just over an hour drive from home I was able to sleep in before we packed up and headed out Saturday around noon. We had reservations at a great site in Cranberry Lake campground.

Side note: last month we scored big at the REI garage sale and snagged the Big Agnes Fairview 4 tent for 15% of retail (of, not off) and also the REI Alcove Shelter for $15 or something ridiculous. It was nice to have the shelter as it rained the first few hours on site and late at night. The tent was a palace for two people and a dog. We slept on a queen size inflatable mattress with a couple down comforters from Costco. We will need to rethink the sleep setup as the mattress, filled with air, is quite cold at night and the quilts don't stay on when there's a dog stomping around. I think I'll stick to my sleeping bag on cold nights.

He was adamant about standing on the picnic table. See also the giant tent and shelter. 

After enjoying a beer with our take-out lunch from Shrimp Shack (soft-shell crab burger, fried oysters, and popcorn shrimp) off we went to explore the area.

Cranberry Lake

Heading towards the beach

The next day we headed out early to hike the Goose Rock Summit Trail, Perimeter Trail, and Discovery Trail. These were all easy, well-maintained trails. It took us about two hours with plenty of stopping for photos. Only ran in to three groups during the hike, one of which were biking.

The Goose Rock Summit Trail is only a half mile off the Perimeter Trail and offers lovely views. The Perimeter Trail connects with the Discovery Trail which is part of the Pacific Northwest Trail, a 1,200 mile trail that goes through three states and ends at the Washington coast.

Goose Rock summit

Goose Rock Perimeter Trail

Views for days

I feel positive about this hiking season. It will likely include more day hikes with Toby :)

Coal Creek Falls

August 29, 2015

While Andy was at the WCSS event in Port Townsend I decided to take Toby out on his first hike and my first solo hike. I wanted to take it easy and chose Coal Creek Falls in the Cougar Mountain area. A gentle climb and proximity to home made it an ideal hike even though there would be no water or waterfalls to see.

Despite the rain and wind in Mill Creek, the east side was blue skies and sunny. There was plenty of parking just before 9 am and also plenty of trail map print outs. We took Red Town Trail up to Coal Creek Falls and made a loop back to the car. All in all it took us about an hour.

During the hike I ended up stepping on a giant slug. It was a dense one so ended up rolling under my shoe instead of squishing. I think Toby will do well on future hikes. He happily stepped off to the side to let other hikers pass. We have some work to do on leash pulling, but he slowed down when I said "Toby, with me". He would deliberately walk through the small water puddles on the trail and then get all buck wild and run down the trail. It was a good workout for both of us!

Nice wide trail

No water here

Tree tops, but no apple juice

Sittin' on a bridge near the restoration area. 

Hi

The morning of Summer Stormpocalypse 2015 was actually a perfect morning for hiking..

Toby ♥ water puddles

Selfie!

We got home just as the big storm was beginning and prepared what we could for Andy's birthday weekend!