Horseshoe Bend 8-29-10

After a fun peak-bagging adventure to Excelsior Peak, I stopped by the Horseshoe Bend trail on my way home.

The Horseshoe Bend trail head is located right across Hwy 542 from the Douglas Fir Campground and follows the Nooksack River for a couple miles up stream.

The trail is easy to follow and offers lush foliage and a swift river with plenty of whitewater.

It's about a mile and a half until the brush starts imposing on the trail, but sources tell me the trail goes for two miles before you're on your own.

Here are a few of the photos I took from (or near) the trail:










As you climb the stairs from the trail up to the parking lot you are faced with 4,000+ feet of mountain staring you down. I believe this is West Church Mountain, with the real Church Mountain on the right side where the trees start blocking the view. Little did I know that I would be standing up there in only six days (that trip report is coming soon).





Here is a video of my favorite pics from the Excelsior Peak / Horseshoe Bend trip (just 'cuz). Most (but not all) of the pics were already posted in one of the two trip reports.



Happy Trails!

~E

Change of plans for 9-4-10

Upon reaching Everett it came to my attention that my backpack was still at home on the couch.

So, new plan is to head toward Mt. Baker (it's a lot closer, plus it is sunny here in Mt. Vernon and raining in Everett anyway) and either do the Chain Lakes Loop around Table Mtn from Artist Point or possibly visit Church Mountain if it looks like views could be possible.

This time I'm going to take my backpack with me.

Happy Trails!

~E

Itinerary for Sat, Sept 4, 2010

Likely joining the masses of hikers on the Rachel Lake trail, just east of Snoqualmie Pass with hopes of having some decent weather and enjoying some views from Rampart Ridge. God willing, maybe I'll cross off Alta Mountain while I'm in the neighborhood.

Currently it's a solo trip, but you never know who'll come along at the last minute. There's still time to tag along (or offer alternatives)!!!!

:)


Happy Trails!

~E

Excelsior Pass 08/29/10

My hike on Sunday August 29, 2010 led me to Excelsior Pass via the Damfino Lakes route with Kris, Kevin and Debbie.

Kris was kind enough to let us use her vehicle to test out the road to Damfino Lakes. She was also kind enough to let Kevin drive AND kind enough not to throw up on me when she started feeling a little carsick.

Generally speaking, throw up is attracted to me like a magnet.

This was my second visit to this trail head. The first visit was in conjunction with the World Famous 2009 Summer Solstice Party at JenJen's in Maple Falls during June 2009.

The road to Damfino Lakes during that first visit had a section of the road which had been washed away, leaving a short and steep section which was passable by a Subaru, but probably not a Camry. It seems that section has been totally fixed and the road is now passable to just about any vehicle that can make it over a speed bump without damage.

The trail to Damfino Lake is reached by driving the Canyon Creek road for about 15 miles, staying 'straight' (or slightly left if you aren't sure) at the junctions. Canyon Creek road connects to the Mount Baker Highway (Hwy 542) about 2 miles east of Glacier, WA. Most of the 15 miles is paved.

The weather turned out to be better than the forecast with mostly cloudy skies providing a few sun breaks and blue sky opportunities. We did feel a few raindrops here and there but nothing that would count as rain.

It was a little chilly at the Pass when we stopped for lunch.

Mount Baker and Mt. Shuksan were both hidden in the distant clouds for the duration of the hike.

Blueberries could be found at Excelsior Pass.

Bugs were not an issue. A few small flies here and there, but no need to do anything extra for evasive action. No bug spray or anything.

It was beautiful all around. Definitely a good choice in a few more weeks as the colors start to change.

Quite a few flowers remaining, but the oncoming cold weather could mean they are short lived at this point.

The trail starts with a gradual decline from the parking lot down to Damfino Lakes. Just before the lake there is an intersection with the Boundary Way trail (rumored to be a great trail, fwiw).

After circling the lakes on puncheon walkway, the trail begins to ascend through the forest toward the meadows. The rest of the route is in meadows on on ridge tops.

Entering the first meadow:






We noticed bees on some of the flowers. Instead of their typically 'busy as a bee' activities, they were virtually motionless. Just resting on top of (or sometimes just hanging upside down, underneath) the flowers.






Final approach to Excelsior Peak: (it is a lot steeper than it looks)


Happy Hikers Peak-baggin':




Descending from the summit:


This may be the backside of Church Mountain:


Looking back up at Excelsior Peak:


Flowers:




Arriving back at Damfino Lake:


This hike gets the 'two thumbs up' from our whole group and I look forward to future visits here. Being able to drive to Damfino Lakes knocks of at least 2,000 feet of elevation gain that would be hiked up if you start at the trail head alongside Hwy 542. Plus, the Hwy 542 trail head routes up through forest the entire way until you reach the pass.

Once our group was safely back down to Hwy 542, the three of them went on to have soup at Milano's in Glacier, WA while I ventured up to Heather Meadows to find a combination of alternating heavy rain and light sun. Rather than getting drenched and cold, I decided to head back down toward Glacier, WA and make a first visit to the Horseshoe Bend trail along the Nooksack River. Trip Report for that will be coming soon.

Happy Trails!

~E