I found some end of season deals on snowshoes. I was hooked after the first time I did it. It is like hiking but absolutely peaceful. There are no dogs, horses or people on the trails. (I don’t mind dogs, horses or people but when you get to be all alone that makes the mountains that much more peaceful)
Here are a few pictures and comments about the trip.
We had just left our house and were headed up to The Mountain when we saw a several hundred kids lined up for an Easter Egg hunt. Of course we had to stop. We got a great parking spot, rummaged through the car for plastic sacks and had an impromptu egg hunt. The kids thought it was a blast. Even the 5th grader!
Emma getting all bundled up for the trip. It wasn’t really that cold on this day. I would guess it was in the low 40s but she wanted to be sure that she was warm. While we were in the parking lot we enjoyed some chips and were buzzed by the steller jays who have obviously been fed by tourists. They were a little upset when we wouldn't share our chips. One bird even got in the van with Lucy.
When life gives you snowshoes make cartwheels. I’m sure my mother could make up a better fable than that but it is the best I could come up with. Of course Chas is always in motion. I was helping all the kids get snowshoes on so I didn’t see this until after the trip. Pretty funny stuff.
On the trail finally. Lucy was in the awesome carrier that our friends in GA bought as a baby gift for Crystal. That carrier has been sledding, hiking and now snowshoeing. We love it!!!
Spring is slowly coming to the mountains. You can see the ferns growing next to the little trickle of water. The water is rust color because of the minerals in the area. It is a mineral springs area on Mt. Rainier that was used for health benefits in the 1900s. The water smells very strongly of sulfur. People used to bathe in it. I guess bathing in stinky water was a cure-all back then.
The great fall. (Grandmas best not read this section) Crystal was crossing this bridge and lost her balance. To her credit she maintained her balance until she finished crossing the bridge. At which point she fell down on her back to avoid squishing Lucy! The snow had melted into a peak and it was tough to get two snowshoes on it. I would guess at points the snow was only 8 inches wide with a 4 foot drop on either side. This was the worst bridge of the trip. Occasionally we had to traverse across bare ground as the snow had melted around melt off streams. At other points it was five feet deep. Luckily no one was hurt and we finished a great hike.
9 comments:
Love the cartwheel and great fall, Crystal. Glad you didn't squish Lucy.
Crystal you are a true mother! What an athletic feat! Loved Chas's cartwheel and all the other pictures.
All you said about snow shoeing is the reason I Xcountry ski and not down hill. I think you will find lots of hiking in Mt Rainer with No Dogs, Horses or people all summer long.
I have a trail I want to do in Yellowstone that's the same way, are you up to 27 miles? We would go from old faithful to Bechler Ranger Station.
27 miles sounds fun to me. Would you ski or snowshoe?
I will have to build my vacation time back up though. I will use up most of it this summer for the reunion.
That would be a 27 mile hike. I would think way to cold in the winter. But you do get to soak in some hot pools.
The Washington Wards have become the adventure Wards. My experience with snow shoes is limited but fun. Glad to hear about all your activities.
It looks like a lot of fun, I need to break mine out and maybe walk up to the hot springs up the canyon with Laura one afternoon.
I guess its a good thing Lucy rides on the front and not the back......the spring snow is sometime harder to stay upright then the nice winter powder that you are sinking to your knees in.
You all have the most fun! I love it. Way to Fall "gracefully" Crystal. LOL. That's one for the scrapbook for sure!
I don't know about graceful Charlie, but it served it's purpose. And Mike, when Lucy moves around to the back, I will then start falling on my face! Stay tuned, I'm sure Dan will get a nice flattering shot of that too.
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