Baker Lake Trail to Maple Grove

 August 25, 2024

Took the puppers on an 8 mile in and out hike to Maple Grove via Baker Lake Trail. With an elevation gain of 500'  and access to the east shore of Baker Lake this was a perfect one for Toby. The campground had several campsites with fire pits and picnic tables under the shade of many trees. Great spot and just a few other hikers relaxing around the area when we arrived.

Toby loves standing in lakes

Sunbathing sssssnake

We'll get us all looking at the camera one day

We didn't do après at Birdsview Brewing this time around because we missed the turn and also because we spent too much time passing people and didn't want to lose all that progress! Ah well, but glad I've been there before to have a beer and check out the unique building.

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Oahu, HI

May 26, 2024

A sunrise hike to Lanikai Pillbox sounded like a good idea, but even on vacation (especially a short one) and even with the promise of a gorgeous sunrise, getting out of bed at 4:00 am was a big ask... so I didn't.

Instead, we woke up at a reasonable time and drove to Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trailhead. The paved TH and shoulder to the parking lot were already full when we arrived at 7am, but with our good timing someone was just pulling out of their parking spot. Lucky us!

This in and out hike is along a well-maintained wide paved path. It's very popular and kid/dog-friendly. Probably one of the more easier hikes on the island, but with big rewards at the end. 

Along the way there are several dedicated viewpoints. You'll also find a quick side trail to see the old oil/storage shack. At the top there are ramps that lead you to several viewpoints.

View of the paved trail and ramp

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse

Lighthouse from main viewpoint. Can't actually go down there.

If you hang a left before the viewpoint ramp the paved trail will lead you to dirt trail up the hill to several pillboxes with more amazing and just as windy views.

Dirt trail

What am I doing? Probably air-drying.

Starfish "cactus" (foreground), Andy (background)

Whistle Lake

Sunday, April 14

Toby is nearing 10 years old and his long legs have been a bit stiff lately so we took it easy on Sunday and hiked counterclockwise around Whistle Lake located within the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. I made sure to screenshot WTA's directions and map because the trail numbers and split offs can get confusing. No parking pass required and no toilet at the TH, but there's a nice looking one just before the lake.

Map at TH. Hard to read small font. Recommend downloading a map instead.

We generally followed the directions and ended up hiking ~4.5 miles. Toby took a dip in the lake while Mario watched from the edge. Actually it was an unexpected drop into the lake so Toby got soaked but was a good sport about it. Saw several groups heading out after a morning of fishing. The trail offered plenty of private areas to stop and have a picnic which we did not do. After hiking we decided to drive towards town to Harbin Dumplings. We ate outside under the sun amongst a few other food trucks and cute food shacks in a small, well-kept gravel parking lot with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs.

Mario sees Whistle Lake

Quick Sip

View from a bluff along the trail

Cool old map from 2007

Toby turned 10 and celebrated with a homemade turkey and sweet potato cake (only 1/4 of it though). 

Twin Falls (for reals)

March 17, 2024

Didn't want to waste a gorgeous weekend in March so we loaded up the pups and revisited Twin Lakes. Windy weather back in December made us turn back, so today we came back. Arrived at the trailhead at 9 AM and got a parking spot. No cars parked along the side of the road yet. Toilets at the trailhead. Discover Pass required.

Lovely hike along the river and in the wood. Some small muddy spots but it's bath day for Toby and Mario anyways. Plenty of access to water sources for the pups and easy access to the river for a paw wash on our way out.

We hiked to all 3 viewpoints. I liked the lower viewpoint the most.

The trees were fluffy with moss

Lower Falls Viewpoint

Family Photo @ Lower Falls Viewpoint

Upper Falls

Upper Falls #2

Trail Beer Time - Matchless' Warehouse in the Woods

Tradition Lake (for reals)

 February 10, 2024

We attempted this hike at the end of December, but with the windy conditions and creaky, swaying trees we decided to revisit and today was that day.

There's so many trails you can take and connect with others around Tiger Mountain. It's also a very popular area for trail runners. We started on Tradition Lake Loop, connected to Section Line Trail via Bus Trail (instead of heading up to Poo Poo Point), then down via Nook Trail and followed Bus Trail where we saw the bus on this section and finally back along the Lake trail to our car. It was a good one for the pups with just enough elevation gain.

Tradition Lake Viewpoint

Family Photo on Nook Trail

Checking out the Bus on Bus Trail

Après beers at Métier Brewing Cherry Street Taproom. We paired our beers with fresh beignets. Yum Yum. Taproom was also hosting a local artists bazaar event that afternoon. Support WA beer!

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge & Rattlesnake Ledge

January 13 & 14, 2024

I'd say about 60% of the time it snows or there's inclement weather during my birthday weekend. This year was one of those years. Andy planned a weekend snowshoe and hiking trip at Government Camp near Mt. Hood and Tunnel Falls just east of Portland. We drove down to Portland Friday evening well aware the region was experiencing an Arctic chill, but didn't anticipate any moisture. As the night went on the weather forecast changed from 2-4" of snow to 8-12",  then less snow due to freezing rain. Saturday morning news was not great. Freezing rain and ice pellets in Salem up to 1/4" was now heading north to Portland within the hour. So, sadly, we decided to skip the trip to Mt. Hood, canceled all plans as everything was closed, and headed back home for the rest of the weekend. It was a long drive to stay at a hotel for one night. If you're counting we're now 0/2 on planned hiking trips in the Portland area. 

We made the most of the drive back home and visited Billy J. Frank Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Olympia and hit up a couple breweries in Tacoma we've been meaning to try (E9 & 7 Seas).

Billy J. Frank Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Bummed the next day but still wanting to take advantage of a dry, chilly, sunny Sunday, we decided to hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge. We arrived at the huge parking lot at 9:30 am to fewer than 10 cars. The trailhead starts at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area which is a large day use area with picnic tables, stoves, and other rec trails. No pass required. The lake itself appeared to be dry but also frozen. 

Dry/Frozen Rattlesnake Lake

The 4.0 mile hike itself was quick, about an hour up and 45 minutes back down. Temps were in the teens so I bundled up at the start. It wasn't a bitter cold, though. There was very little wind and eventually had my insulating layers off within 25 minutes. I had flashbacks to covid days when my glasses would fog up from having my nose and face covered. It felt like I had to alternate between risks of foggy sunglasses and not being able to see the trail/tripping, snow blindness, and frostbite. Me? Exaggerate?

There were a few icy areas along the way which made me thankful to have yaktrax. I noticed a couple people coming down with just sneakers somehow.

Icy section

There were a good amount of early birds heading down on our way up. We ended up having the whole top ledge to ourselves for awhile. It was warm, sunny, and calm at the top. This is a popular one and there were a bunch of people hiking up on our way down.

Where's Andy?

Warm and sunny at the top.