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Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
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Karen
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:32 am
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Solosteve and I co-lead another Mountaineer Conditioning Hike (CHS), planning a loop starting from the Johnson-Medra Trail, Jungle Creek trail, Koppen Mountain trail and back to the Johnson Medra trail.
It was kind of an odd day, all in all. We didn't complete the loop. One of our friends and companions got spooked by the exposure on the Koppen Mountain stretch of the hike so after some dithering as to split up the group or not, we all turned around and hiked back the way we came.
As for the trails -- we started out from the N. Teanaway Road on the Johnson-Medra trail but this time we turn off (left) onto the Jungle Creek trail rather than continue to Medra Pass as we did recently. Incidentally that stretch used to be called the Johnson Creek trail - no more, I guess. Jungle Creek is well-named -- it is just like, er uh -- a jungle on the lower stretch of the trail. Lots of head-high vegetation and late-summer flowers including fireweed and asters.
We made good time to the junction for the Way Creek Trail and took a break in the shade. Then continued on the Way Creek trail to the Koppen/Way Creek junction. That stretch of trail is in good shape with minor undulating ups and downs, views of Mount Stuart.
At the junction we continued on the Koppen Mt trail -- it was hot so we took our time. The trail is not the best -- in places, steep and crumbly with some exposure. Quite a few flowers still on this stretch including a couple we could not identify.
HINT: Can anyone identify the red/white flower?? Can't find it in the field guides, not even Pojar.
We knew one of our friends sometimes has trouble with exposure but the friend seemed to be doing pretty well but just as Solosteve and I thought we were in the clear, our friend was in trouble, really got spooked.
Having not scouted out the trail in its entirety we finally agreed we'd all go back the way we came. Some members of our party wanted to complete the loop but again, I wasn't happy with splitting up the group so we went back.
By the way, there were tons of butterflies along the trail, some of them thought we were big flowers (with our colorful packs). I caught a glimpse of a mostly yellow bird with some red on his head -- one of the warblers I suspect but was not able to get a photo.
Back at the trailhead nobody could agree on where to eat (there were 3 cars of us). Some of our group wanted a more upscale restaurant than The Cottage Cafe (Solosteve and I love the Cottage Cafe), some wanted to go to the Sunset Cafe, some wanted to stop at the hamburger stand.
We finally all agreed to meet at the hamburger stand but the other 2 cars sped by as Solosteve and I were standing in line to order our grub. Then, our two passengers had no cash - the hamburger stand wouldn't accept a credit card so we also had to stop at Safeway so our passengers could get some grub to eat in the car on the way back.
Finally back on the road after a less than perfect day, we hit a major traffic jam on I-90 near North Bend. We got off at Exit 34 -- we wanted to go into the gas station, get a cold drink and use the bathroom but there were about a million cars there so we drove to the Little Si trailhead and used that facility. Then we enjoyed a scenic drive through North Bend, Fall City, etc. back to Preston. From Preston the interstate was clear, no traffic problems at all.
An "interesting" day, all said and done. About 10 miles round trip with 2,200 feet of gain.
Karen
Can you spot the hikers? The beginning of the end Hikers on Koppen Mt trail A new friend, Koppen Mt trail Not in the field guide Shadows
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
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wamtngal Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere |
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wamtngal
Member
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:40 am
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Someone id'd that flower last year...wish I could remember the name and the post that it was id'd in...
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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DL's Partner Member
Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 | TRs | Pics Location: Snohomish |
Sorry you had some issues with your trip. And what's wrong with Cottage Cafe--I love that place!
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Grizzy Yellow Cedar Hugger
Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1936 | TRs | Pics Location: Switchbacks |
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Grizzy
Yellow Cedar Hugger
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:21 pm
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Karen!
So sorry your day went this way! I'm thinking these CHS trips are too big...I had only four yesterday on mine, and it was great!
All the birds have flown up and gone;
A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.
We never tire of looking at each other -
Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
All the birds have flown up and gone;
A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.
We never tire of looking at each other -
Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
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Joey verrry senior member
Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 2797 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Joey
verrry senior member
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:22 pm
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Mystery plant is locoweed. First time we saw it we were stumped. Finally found it in one of the guides.
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solohiker Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1081 | TRs | Pics Location: issaquah |
There was a brush fire on I-90 near North Bend which was likely the source of the traffic issue.
Glad you managed to stay cool - looked like that was a pretty hot hike on a hot day.
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
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Solo Steve Harry Mudd wannabe
Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 639 | TRs | Pics Location: Federal Way |
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Solo Steve
Harry Mudd wannabe
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:17 pm
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Cursed is about right -- I told my wife it was God's way of telling me I was hiking too much! No matter, we still had fun.
Rock foliage Butterfly inspects my boot Mystery flower Sidelit columbine
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3451 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
That's a neat flower, and I like the shadow pic and the lichen pic. Sorry it didn't go as planned; I know how that is.
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Tim Hagan Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 189 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue, WA |
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