Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
TPayne Member
Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 225 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia |
|
TPayne
Member
|
Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:32 pm
|
|
|
This was my first trip to the Mt Baker area, and won't be the last! I read about many interesting trails. Because of a recent trip report from the Zachster, I decided on Yellow Aster Butte for an overnighter.
Beautiful fall color, all along the way. Talked to a few hikers coming down the trail, all said it was an amazing place. One said I was the 22nd going up that day. At the top looking down at the tarns, I could see a few tents around. I planned on watching the sunset from the summit, so I wanted a closer site to the main trail. I looked around for a while, but didn't find the perfect place. One suitable spot had a food cache hanging from the tree, which eliminated that site as a possibility... I found a nice spot a bit farther away from the main trail than I'd hoped, but it had a great view. The ground was a bit soggy in the middle, so I set up my tent on the edge.
The sunset was amazing from the top. A cloud would form, then dissipate over Baker. Once the sun set, I headed back to camp. I stopped along the way to filter water. As I was pumping, noticed it sure was getting dark...fast. I put on my headlamp and hurried back. I followed the boot path, took the correct turn-off, but then lost my sense of direction. I knew I was within a hundred yards, but couldn't see my camp. Before I'd left, I set a waypoint with my GPS, this didn't really help much because I was so close. I circled around a few minutes then found the site, stupid waiting till dark to return. Lesson learned.
Fall color Tarns and Tomyhoi Peak Yellow Aster Butte Campsite On my way to view the sunset from the top Reflections in Yellow Aster Butte tarn Hillside on fire Trail to the top Mt Shuksan at sunset Waiting around for sunset Cloud forming over Baker Shuksan, the Moon, and Baker Mt Shuksan at Sunrise from camp Alpenglow on Baker Mt Baker
Pano's
Tarn at Yellow Aster Butte Yellow Aster Butte View from Yellow Aster Butte Shuksan and Baker from Yellow Aster Butte
I left camp around 7AM, a cool 35 degrees, to head to Artist Point for a day hike of either Chain Lakes or Ptarmigan Ridge. The clouds were swirling around Baker and Shuksan, so I explored the Chain Lakes. Excellent fall color and lots of berries. I waited around for an hour or so hoping the clouds would part for pictures of Shuksan, they sure like to tease.
Trail from Artist Point Fall color and Table Mountain Lunch along Mazama Lake Iceburg Lake Arbuthnot Lake Blueberries along a lake shore Table Mountain Baker appears from the clouds Shuksan behind the clouds Cloud rolling through
I stopped at the famous spot at Picture Lake to find about 20 people lined up with Camera's and tripods waiting for sunset. Tried to talk myself into waiting too, but it was still 2 hours till the sunset and I was tired. I snapped a few pictures, and hit the road for the 200 mile trip home.
Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake Shuksan reflection 9127 foot Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake Mt Shuksan from Highwood Lake
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17851 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Tom
Admin
|
Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:35 pm
|
|
|
Nice pics! Sounds like it was pretty crowded up at YAB this weekend.
|
Back to top |
|
|
bobbi stillaGUAMish
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics Location: olympics! |
|
bobbi
stillaGUAMish
|
Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:38 pm
|
|
|
the yellow aster butte area is gorgeous, especially without bugs! these buggers made my experience excruciating from smacking the flies. it's a good thing that the beauty outweighs the bugs.
lovely photos
thank you~
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
|
Back to top |
|
|
TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
|
Beautiful!
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hikingqueen Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
|
OMG, fantastic photos! You are so LUCKY! Baker will have to wait for me till next year. Thanks for sharing
|
Back to top |
|
|
bonobo Owl Juggler for rent
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 818 | TRs | Pics
|
|
bonobo
Owl Juggler for rent
|
Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:59 pm
|
|
|
Just beautiful! I couldn't decide on Walt Bailey, YAB, or Ingalls lake yesterday, but ended up at Ingalls. YAB is definitely on my list for next year - I was thinking of flower season but your pics are so lovely that I may have to move it to berry season instead!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
|
Snowdog
Member
|
Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:52 pm
|
|
|
nice trip, even nicer pics! I believe we met at Hidden lake lookout a few weeks back? Now I must get myself to yab...........
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
|
Back to top |
|
|
the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
It really does get dark fast now! But catching the sunset from the summit is so worth it... glad you got to enjoy it. BTW, those are very blue blueberries you found there! Some of the best of the year.
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
|
Back to top |
|
|
|