Eightmile Lake Trail, Leavenworth Washington

Half a year ago, we took another drive up the very bumpy, rutty road to the Eightmile Lake Trail. I think after this hike I was pretty much set on this being my last trip up this semi-terrible road for the year. I am simply amazed by the amount of traffic up and down this road and with very little road work done to it. Nothing like getting your teeth rattled out of your head. Not sure if it was this trip or the one before, but I felt very sorry for some folks that busted their oil pan going up the hill. Never a good thing. I still think I need to buy me a beater vehicle to get me to trail heads on rough roads, and tight parking areas, so if I get a few scratches and dents it wont cause me heart failure. Early to the trail head has always been my theory during the spring, and summer, and fall. There's something about getting up the trail early before the droves of folks show up, quiet, peaceful and great spots close to the lake, and if your lucky the little peeps show up to see who's brought them some treats. Eightmile Lake Trail is a nice stroll up and down little mounds through out the valley floor. Our timing was perfect for catching the ferns just coming up, the lupine was lovely, so much color. Very pretty trail, makes for a nice hike with kids, not to tough. I imagine this area is very hot during the summer, a little exposed.

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Echo Basin, Eastern Washington

Echo Basin was our last early spring hike in the Eastern Washington area. We were planning to hike the Frenchman Coulee side that heads toward the waterfall but changed our mind due to the amount of cars parked at the trail head. So down the road just a little ways we went to hike the Echo Basin trail. Even with a early start the sun was way too bright, not hot, just bright. We hiked up the jeep trail that starts on the left hand side of the road as your facing the Columbia River. Didn't seem like a real exciting trail till we reached the sand dunes, which put us closer to the rock walls. Up and over the sand dunes and on up a goat trail to get above the walls. Without really knowing were we were going we just winged it. Lots of faint trails and trails in the sand, hard to know which was the true trail. The rock walls are huge and fascinating, the columns are even more interesting up close. We hiked until we had a view looking down into Echo Basin, and a nice look at th

Cutthroat Trail.......Snowshoeing North Cascades Highway

I have a confession to make, I have been having some winter blues. Not sure if they can be officially called winter blues due to we have had little to no winter. I have been very impatiently waiting for the snow to arrive, it comes, blows through, makes the ground white, then its gone. The last few days we have been sitting at temperatures in the 40's. What is up with winter. One thing I can say for sure is I am very thankful for the few trips we made up highway 20 before the silver star gate was closed. Our trip to Cutthroat Trail was back in November, when we had visions of winter coming to the valley very soon. The snow was nice and fluffy and deep. Pleasant day to get out and enjoy it, one of those days where your not sure if the clouds where going to allow the blue sky to show it self or not. We parked right off the highway with a couple of other cars and Snowshoed up the road to the trail head. Wasn't very long and more hikers, cross country skiers, and furry

Looking For Mountain Views....................

Since I couldn't get anybody to go snowshoeing with me this last weekend....I went on a drive and took pictures.....It was a lovely day...lots of variation in the clouds...started down on the Columbia River in Pateros and continued on down towards Chelan...stopped at the park...which has a great view of the mountains...then on up around Manson...drove as many roads as I could looking for the best view of the mountains....drove a couple of roads I have never been on....what a festive little town Manson is right now....Drove on up towards Echo Ridge trail area...roads got a little on the icy side up in that area....then found my way back home....now I have a camera card or two loaded with pictures...plus basketball pictures.....lots of computer time...The season is moving right along...lots of new snow in the mountains...Can't wait to get out there and play.

Lost In The Right Direction

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