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Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades




























Life finally caught up with me in July. Things became a little overwhelming, work started to consume my time. We had a office gal decide that Oklahoma looked like a better spot to live, so with a short notice she up and left us in our busiest season. I have truly enjoyed hiking and leaving it all behind. Maple Pass Loop Trail has always been a favorite. It is where I first starting hiking by accident and It continues to draw me back. I decided this year I wanted to see if I could squeeze it in on a weekend while the heather was still blooming, just barely made it. While the rest of my hiking buddies were enjoying the Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree I headed for the mountains. Temperature was right around 55 degrees at the parking lot. Took me a little bit to stop jumping at every sound and turning around looking for people, not used to hiking on my own. At first I thought I would bust a move and make the loop in good time, but my lovely heels that have been giving me fits since April started forming blisters again. So I took my sweet time and made plenty of stops and admired the view and all the flowers. There was still lots of snow on top, seemed more than usual for the heat we have been having. The views were nice and clear of the mountains, lots of flowers blooming. Returned to the valley floor in Methow and the temperatures were pushing 100 degrees. I will hopefully be returning come fall to enjoy the views and color once again.
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