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Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
Glen and I have birthdays five days apart so we decided to spend them at Larch Weekend I at Scottish Lakes High Camp! It was all I could have imagined and more!
We left early Friday - yes, truly early in most people's books - up at 5:30 and departed before 7! We took our time and arrived at the parking lot around 8:40. We then met another couple heading up on the 9 a.m. It turned out that not only do they live about 10 minutes away, but the husband is Skykomish 45, a fellow NW Hiker! We instantly liked both of them and instead of a lonesome solo 10 mile trip over to Larch Lake and back, I had wonderful company!
High Camp Glacier Peak in the distance from McCue Ridge Chiwaukum Lake Ewing Basin - between Chiwaukum and Larch Lakes below Larch Lake - Skye watching her sheep approaching Larch Lake first view of Larch Lake
The trail goes up to McCue Ridge - great views of Chiwaukum Mountains; then contours down the back of the ridge to Chiwaukum Lake. We ate lunch there and were almost finished when the huge downpour hit! We figured we'd be soaked the rest of the day, but the sun came back. Although it looked threatening now and again, we did not get wet again. We continued on the two miles or so through the spectacular Ewing Basin and up to the breathtaking Larch Lake. The larch are just beginning to turn, there was great fall color; yet there were also still lupine and other summer flowers in full bloom. It was a fairly gentle 10 miles when you start at high camp. I don't mind cheating now and then. We came back to the bonfire in full swing and sat out by the fire and enjoyed the stars.
approaching Larch Lake first view of Larch Lake meadows at Larch Lake Larch Lake Larch Lake Elephant's Head (right?) Larch Lake Ewing Basin - below Larch Lake McCue Ridge trail - late afternoon - with Skykomish 45 and wife bonfire and stars
Next day I was up early as once I make that journey to the outhouse, I'm wide awake. We met some other people for the group hike - on trail; then lots of off trail. This was led by the hosts. It was an amazing 9-10 mile adventure - words can't describe the colors and the joy of sharing it with like-minded outdoorsy types.
just before we leave trail off trail Loch Eileen in the distance off trail route arriving at larch areas Lake Donald below - over notch in far background is Ethel sketchy area lunch - scramble route came across the knob in background hanging gardens hanging gardens Loch Julies and Lake Donald hanging gardens hanging gardens hanging gardens area high meadow Don and Zeke, the guides high meadow high meadow Loch Eileen Lake Donald Lake Donald - the ridge in the background was the scramble route to the high meadow looking down on Loch Eileen approaching Loch Eileen - end of the scramble portion Loch Eileen Zeke approaching Loch Eileen Loch Julius potluck potluck main dishes lots of birthday people up here - Skykomish 45's wife, me, Glen, and one other
I plan on being up there again for my birthday and probably a bunch of others times as well as I still have to sample the hot tub, sauna, and showers! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend. I've had some great ones. This one is definitely in the top of those weekends and those include weekends in lookouts and near Mt. Baker so to make the list, it had to be pretty darn awesome.
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Nice to see some Autumn colors! We spent Christmas at High Camp a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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half fast member
Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 1392 | TRs | Pics Location: Living the dream in my 5th Wheel |
It's all about the fun, oh and maybe the chocolate - half fast
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Sun Oct 02, 2011 5:45 pm
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it must have been grand, 'cause you have no shortage of good weekends!
Pictures are stupendous-
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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BobW Member
Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 32 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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BobW
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Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:14 pm
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Thanks for the report. My wife and I are heading up there next weekend, and were wondering what the conditions were.
Your report and pictures have me excited for the trip.
Happy Birthday
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3451 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
Great photos! I can fell how happy you are through your words. Happy Birthday!
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furthur Berry Bagger
Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics Location: onward and upward |
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furthur
Berry Bagger
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Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:20 pm
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Bonus birthday joy to be able share it with Glen. I'm sure he'll be pumped to head up to Persis with us (tell him there are 20#ers in waiting for him in the tarns).
"You're either on the bus or off the bus."
Kesey
"You're either on the bus or off the bus."
Kesey
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Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
@BobW - looks like you'll have good weather - at least so far the forecast is good plus the larch will have turned a bit more. Are you doing the Dash for the Diner? I think that's on next weekend anyway. You're in for a real treat! We loved the people we met; the area was spectacular.
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