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Elvis Shuffl'n
Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics Location: del Boca Vista |
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Elvis
Shuffl'n
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Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:06 pm
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This is my first visit to Snow Lake. Since it's a popular destination and well reported on, I'll spare the unchanging details, but here is the official description.
The weather was fantastic from the moment I left the house and I was surprised that there wasn't even a trace of snow at the pass. Surely most of you already know this as the I-90 corridor was seemingly over run with nwhikers based on the trip reports already posted.
Pilchuck Morning (along I-5) Sunrise and Rainier (along I-5) December 6, 2008: No Snow at Alpental
The descent down to Snow Lake has lots of ice so we were glad to have Stabilicers and Yak Trak with us to minimize the slippage. Others were envious.
We enjoyed the typical views from the trail that most people see on a sunny day:
Tree and distant lake Snow Lake in sunny December Waterfall and ice alongside trail Across Snow Lake Frozen Waterfall Frozen Tarn - or Glenda? Grey Jay (on my pole) Toward Alpental and I-90 Pika above Source Lake
We also came across a few surprises:
1) Looks like the third little pig may not have fared as well as originally reported.
I guess the third little pig didn't fare so well after all
Really though, what's the story behind this structure? I'm curious.
2) We spotted this "Prayer Tree" a short ways after the trail junction. What's the story with this thing? Again, just curious.
Prayer Tree?
3) While trying to take a picture of a frozen waterfall, Glinda, the good witch kept interrupting us.
Glenda the Good Witch Arrives from Oz
4) We caught this guy sunning himself in the lake.
Cousin of Loch Ness Monster?
8buck and I took the trail to the lake, poked around, headed back up the ridge, found the old trail (or some old trail) and followed it until it was lost in the snow, returned to the ridge, descended to the trail junction, headed off to the Source Lake overlook, took a break and headed back to the car.
All in all it was a great day on the trail.
Happy Trails to all, and to all a good hike.
~E
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
My Trip List
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
My Trip List
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:44 pm
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YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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garyt Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 46 | TRs | Pics Location: Canada |
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garyt
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Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:48 pm
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Tibetan Prayer flags are often found in beautiful places, especially in the mountains (reflections of Tibet, perhaps).
No special occasion required, just an opportunity to promote peace, compassion, and wisdom.
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:11 am
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December and Snow Lake still isn't freezing. Amazing.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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peltoms Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 1760 | TRs | Pics Location: Worcester MA |
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peltoms
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Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:02 am
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I had not thought of the break that Pika and Marmots are getting with the lack of snowcover to date. I have never seen a December Pika before.
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Go Jo of the lykkens
Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics Location: Around The Bend |
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Go Jo
of the lykkens
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Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:22 am
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Elvis wrote: | Frozen Tarn - or Glenda? |
great picture, fun title
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kevino Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 57 | TRs | Pics Location: the burg |
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kevino
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Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:37 pm
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where exactly is that waterfall? on the trail? by the lake?
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Josh Journey a.k.a Josh Lewis
Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 4830 | TRs | Pics
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Elvis wrote: | Grey Jay (on my pole) |
Nice bird shot!
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polarbear Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 3680 | TRs | Pics Location: Snow Lake hide-away |
This is as clear a picture of the creature as I've seen. I'm waiting for someone to get in there with that new Nikon 25 megapixel camera.
Note how it is swimming towards the South end of the lake. It is probably dinner time. Definitely not a good time to be dipping one's toes in the lake, though who would at this time of year?
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stacymarie Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 251 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
I've seen the question asked so many times, but does anyone have any idea what the deal is with that structure?
Great pics, by the way!
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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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Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:52 pm
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From what I've heard, before Snow Lake was in the ALW, it was just someone's private cabin...years and years ago.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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hermes Member
Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 449 | TRs | Pics
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hermes
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Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:40 pm
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Many years ago a ranger doing restoration work up there told me it used to belong to the Bullitt family (yes, another of their country retreats) of King TV fame.
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Elvis Shuffl'n
Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics Location: del Boca Vista |
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Elvis
Shuffl'n
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Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:41 pm
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Thanks everyone for the comments, feedback and info on the cabin.
Kevino - that waterfall is to your left when you first come down the ridge to the lake. Following the trail about 50 feet past the cabin remains you can turn left and reach the lake shore... falls are to the left.
It wouldn't surprise me if there is some sort of worn trail to their base, but it wasn't obvious with the few inches of snow in that area.
~E
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
My Trip List
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
My Trip List
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3448 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
Good to see you getting out, Elvis. You picked a nice trip!
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raz2sea Daddy RAZ
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1060 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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raz2sea
Daddy RAZ
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Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:25 pm
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Cool, was wondering about the remnants of that cabin from my trip a few weeks ago.
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