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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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I woke up at 1:20am and left the warmth and comfort of my bed, wondering why I keep doing this to myself. I hit the road not knowing where I was even going yet. I knew the best weather was going to be Snoqualmie Pass and east so I headed that way. By the time I got to North Bend I had decided on Rampart Ridge, a nice easy day in favor of my tweaked ankle. By 4:45 I was hiking. I forgot how steep this trail is, but it felt good to be in shape and not have to suffer much on the way up. I got distracted by some night photography at Lake Lillian and had to quicken my step to make it to my planned destination for sunrise, Rampart Lakes.
Lake Lillian Rocks in the lake Getting lighter First view of Rampart Lakes
I spotted some ledges overlooking the lakes and headed that way but sunrise was coming, and quick! I found a spot and set up my tripod. As I was doing so I noticed the reflection of a pink cloud in the lake which really got me excited. I don't think I've seen anything like that before, it was cool. I took a couple photos and then noticed my camera settings were a little messed up, but by the time I had it set the way I wanted the pink reflection was gone. Fortunately those first shots were good enough. I was hoping for a cool shot of the lakes and I'm pretty happy with this one.
Rampart Lakes just before sunrise
I hung around for half an hour or so taking pictures and soaking in the views. It was a beautiful sunrise! Eventually I packed up and turned to look up the mountain. I knew there was a trail pretty much to the summit, but looking up I spotted a line up through the cliffs and decided to give it a go. There was some fun class 3 and the route went well and soon I was on the summit.
Huckleberry Huck again Rampart Ridge Sunburst More cloud reflections Lakes Big sticks Rampart Ridge panorama
My ankle was bothering me, but I still felt good enough I wanted to extend my day so I decided to repeat Alta Mountain. I dropped down in to Rampart Lakes and made my way up the long south ridge of Alta. The berry bushes were bursting with ripe berries and much time was spent picking and eating them, probably somewhere between one and two hours cumulative through the whole trip. They were SO GOOD! There were a couple of young ladies on the summit of Alta when I got there. I passed by and went down to the valley view point for lunch. I stayed maybe 45 minutes before heading back.
Looking out at Rampart Lakes Alta Mountain and Rampart Lakes Satisfying views One of the lakes and Hibox False summit Summit Alta panorama
I decided to see if I could pick out a route from the summit down to the Lila Lake basin area since I had never been down there and had wanted to visit there ever since seeing it from Hibox five years ago. I found a route with some class 3/4, but it went. As I was descending I was surprised to run into a solo hiker on his way up. He asked if that was the way to the summit, admitting he was off route. Well, it's 'a way' to the summit I said and explained how I descended and that it involved class 3. He seemed content to give it a go. I hope he made it ok. Lila Lake basin was beautiful. I was glad I made the side trip.
tarn in Lila Lake area My name is mud ? dunno, but I like it Lila Lake basin Last lake Trail out
After that, it was back to the car back back home. Of course, many more berries found their way into my belly on the way back. Great day in the mountains!
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
awilsondc wrote: | Rampart Lakes just before sunrise |
navy blue from
head to toe and rather drab
except those patent shoes
Purdy sunrise
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GaliWalker Have camera will use
Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics Location: Pittsburgh |
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use
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Wed Sep 18, 2019 6:20 am
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Spectacular!
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Wed Sep 18, 2019 7:24 am
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Dude...primus sucks.
Epic blueberries indeed. So you didn't see the goat that recently took up residence on Alta?
Great sunrise photos...
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
Admin
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Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:44 pm
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That's a really nice shot. Screensaver material for sure.
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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neek wrote: | Dude...primus sucks. |
neek wrote: | So you didn't see the goat that recently took up residence on Alta? |
No goat. Too bad, I always like seeing mountain goats.
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Jake Robinson Member
Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics
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There's a foot at the end of each of my legs, is it luck?
Thanks for the awesome sunrise photos
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Bootpathguy Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 Posts: 1787 | TRs | Pics Location: United States |
Great photos. Thanks for sharing
I'll capture these also. Sometimes, only something I appreciate and that's okay
awilsondc wrote: | ? dunno, but I like it |
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Who needs sleep when you can get photos like that.
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
I wish I had known there was good weather on the 12th at Sno Pass. Nice work.
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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SwitchbackFisher Boot buster
Joined: 24 Feb 2018 Posts: 364 | TRs | Pics Location: Wa |
Nice work I recently enjoyed 2 nights in that area at a much more leisurely pace.
I may not be the smartest, I may not be the strongest, but I don't want to be. I only want to be the best I can be.
I may not be the smartest, I may not be the strongest, but I don't want to be. I only want to be the best I can be.
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gb Member
Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 6303 | TRs | Pics
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gb
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Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:20 am
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Good eye for composition! The Cascades are pretty amazing. But, wow, what a tough summer/fall to find good days.
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
Hows the brush on the road way going in?
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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gb wrote: | what a tough summer/fall to find good days |
You got that right! I'll take this over forest fires and constantly smoky skies though. I'm grateful for the rain this year.
Backpacker Joe wrote: | Hows the brush on the road way going in? |
It was a tight squeeze! Have you ever driven down a busy road lined with trees and there's a tree or trees that have look like a semi trailer has smashed into them enough that they look cut at a perfect right angle? It reminded me of that. Basically driving through a tunnel of brush, and I didn't remember it being that way even 3-4 years ago last time I was up that way. I was ultra careful on the way in and barely grazed any foliage in my Outback, but on the way back I wasn't as attentive and hit my passenger mirror enough to make it collapse partially in but no scratches thank goodness!
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