I did a short road walk to a new area yesterday. I had hoped to hike at least ten miles, but the rain and the cold drove me back a bit. I only did 7 miles. Patches was shivering and my camera was getting wet.
My goal was a clearing the might have had a view. It had sort of a view and lots of snow.
It takes a lot of rain to drive me back, so you know this was one wet and nasty day. I decided to do a road hike so I would be up high and away from the flood waters.
I managed to get a few pictures that made me happy in spite of the conditions.
7 miles 1,600 feet elevation gain
Mount Lincoln
This fog was inside of my camera!
Patches loves to eat snow
We got into some snow above 3,000 feet, but it was melting.
Wallace Lake. I don't like the sound of its name. Maybe I'll rename it.
Back to Kirkland to deal with my Mother’s estate. My spouse’s caregiver said “have fun” as I
went out the door. WTF? Cleaning out my deceased Mother’s condo is
fun? I’m afraid that most
of my spouse’s caregivers are about as bright as Patches. As I left I wondered what they would break
while I was gone.
With really foul weather predicted for the Mountains, I
decided to do a low land hike. Wallace
Lake sounded like just the right length and elevation gain for me, but also
kind of boring being in second growth. I Hoped that the waterfalls would make up for the boredom of hiking through second growth.
I woke up on my Mother’s couch at 6:45 and I was out the
door by 7. I’m amazed at how fast I can
get out the door when I don’t have internet. I sleep on her couch as I have found it impossible to fall asleep in her deathbed. I was at the start of my hike at Wallace Falls state park at about
8:30.
I made one stop in Sultan to buy
three pounds of hotdogs for Patches. I’m
trying to fatten Patches up a bit. I think Patches is getting too thin. She's also losing control of her bladder and peeing in the house all the time now.
My plan was to go up to the waterfalls and then take an old
road up to the lake. The sign at the
trail head made it clear that the “old road” was actually a trail. At the start the trail runs under a power line
and under the power lines the wind was howling.
Was I making a mistake hiking in such stormy weather? Maybe a tree would fall on my head!
As soon as I was in the woods the wind was pretty much
gone. The waterfalls were all nice, but
the light was not the best for photography.
I headed up the upper grade and made it to Wallace Lake after passing
though a DNR wasteland. The wind was
really howling in the barren DNR wasteland.
Jay Lake
The lake was nice and I walked around to the far shore for
my lunch break. To keep Patches from
driving me crazy with begging I cut up her pound of hot dogs and scattered them
in the brush. She would have to hunt for
her lunch. The plan worked well and my
lunch was more pleasant than usual.
After lunch I decided to head on up to Jay Lake. I knew that I would be pushing it as far as
getting out before dark, but I really wanted to see Jay Lake and get some miles
in.
Scary lizard tree
Jay Lake was nicer than I expected and I really wanted to
hang out there for a while, but time was running short and I thought that the
state park might close at dusk. Perhaps
I would get in trouble for being parked there if I took too long to hike out? I quickly headed back to Wallace Lake.
My plan to hike down the Ball trail went wrong. I had trouble locating the trail at the end
of Wallace Lake in spite of all of the signs.
I ended up hiking an extra mile.
It was pretty dark by the time that I got out and I ended up hiking 13
miles. This was my longest hike of the
year so far.
I was startled by a trail runner near the lake. Wow, I
wish that trail runners did not do that to me.
I was so tired that I calmed down pretty quickly though.
When I got home the next day I learned that my washing
machine was broken and my spouse blames his caregiver, but I’m not so sure.
I made a video but I can't upload it from home due to my slow internet and my lap top is broken, so I can't go anywhere to upload it.
13 miles with 1,600 feet elevation gain
I wish I knew what this was. It was very special to my mother and she told me once
but I forgot and now she's dead. :(
Is this guy wearing anything under his poncho?
I have to remember how cute she looks here the next time she pisses in the house
Here is what I packed for my most recent hike. This is my set up for an all day hike in the rain in the winter.
For warmth,I included rain coat and pants, hat, glove and extra socks. For extra insulation I also pack a fleece vest and a fleece jacket. On my feet I wore gortex boots to keep them warm and dry. I wore two layers of socks, very thin sock with a warmer sock over it. The thin sock keeps me from getting blisters.
I also packed two snap type reusable hand warmers and a USB handwarmer / flashlight / battery.
For navigation and safety I packed my Garmen GPSmap 60csx with several maps loaded and some way points to mark my intended route. I also packed my Delorme inReach satellite messenger. I included extra batteries for my gps and my headlamp and USB cords that I can use to charge my inreach or power my GPS with my USB handwarmer.
I also packed a first aid kit, and evernew water bag and a sawer squeeze full sized filter.
Also in my kit is a titanium mug, alcohol stove, widescreen, BIC lighter and a coffee mix. The bottle with an orange "X" on the top holds my fuel. I love to have a hot drink during a cold and rainy lunch break, so I always have my little kitchen kit with me.
New this year is my 8.5 ounce cuben fiber tarp. The tarp is 7X9 and the weight includes, two stakes and string to pitch it with.
For lunch I just grabbed a bunch of stuff off the shelves of the local expired food store in Shelton. It was all expired but it all tasted okay. I only wish the jerky had not been so sweet. I needed more savory and salty stuff.
I pack my botany hand lens everywhere, it has a blue lanyard in the picture. Also in my pack is some flagging in case I go off trail. I carry a small swiss army classic knife for tweezers and scissors. If it's mushroom season then I pack a bigger knife. If I think there will be any trouble with people on my hike I also carry a weapon. My weapon is not a firearm.
All of this stuff goes into my homemade pack pack the Mossy Mom 2.0
