Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
|
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 12:54 am
|
|
|
Date: 2/10/19
Destination: Excelsior Peak 5712 (USGS Bearpaw)
Party: Matt, Carla, Steph, Elle
Two years ago on Excelsior, we had bright blue skies, brilliant white trees, and wide views on top. Today was more of a black and white trip, with clouds and snow moving in by the time we emerged from the forest.
It's been a strange weather week. Departing my house in Shoreline there was a foot of snow on the ground. When we picked up Steph in Bellingham, the ground was bare. Hiking up there Excelsior trail, there was only a few inches for the first couple thousand feet.
Circa 3800 feet the snow depth started increasing quickly. Fortunately, a large group from BC had plowed the trail ahead of us. In a few places, their trench was almost hip deep. Higher up, it was more wind-packed.
Snowshoe trench Summit blown almost bare
Bright jackets of snowshoers provided the only color on the summit. The Canadian group said they had driven from Vancouver to the trailhead in just 1.5 hours.
Colorful Canadians Color printer cartridge on the summit – Magenta, Cyan & Yellow (aka Steph, Carla, and Elle) My new red-and-black gloves to match the rest of my outfit
Snow began falling as we descended. At least the soft cushiony snow let us bypass several hundred feet of switchbacks on the way down.
Izzy watching hikers descending Next snowfall beginning. Someone's happy today. Excelsior GPS track
Temperatures for the day: 17 degrees at my house, 16 degrees at the trailhead, 18 degrees on the summit.
Stats: 8.7 miles, 3870 gain , 6:25 hours.
The drive home became almost too interesting as we encountered increasingly heavy snow on the highway. I-5 in Snohomish County felt more like driving over a mountain pass than driving through coastal lowlands.
Back at home, I found the neighbors having a party outside in the snow, with sledding, hot beverages, and a fire pit.
Neighbors having a party in the snow Snowing again at my house.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
|
Back to top |
|
|
GaliWalker Have camera will use
Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics Location: Pittsburgh |
|
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 6:21 am
|
|
|
I like the B&Ws; they bring out the texture of snow on the trees quite nicely. The "Izzy watching hikers descending" shot is my favorite, because of Izzy's windswept B&W tail and neck fur, which complements the snowy trees.
|
Back to top |
|
|
zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3361 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
|
zephyr
aka friendly hiker
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:28 pm
|
|
|
Matt wrote: | Izzy watching hikers descending |
I love this photo. The people are so tiny and Izzy gives the image a perspective and depth. Very nice. ~z
Edit: Oh, I posted without having seen GaliWalker's comment. haha Great minds think alike.
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).
|