Well, we finally got out of the foothills! On Friday, July 22, Mr. D and I headed up to the Pratt Lake Trailhead and set out for Olallie Lake (please note the misspelling on the sign above). Mr. D had checked out the trail a week or so earlier, and had reported that the snow was almost all gone except for a few patches around the lake.
This hike is much longer and more challenging than those we have been doing in the foothills. We hiked about nine miles round trip, and accomplished about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. We also had to cross several rushing streams, (very gingerly) stepping across on stones that tipped a bit.
The hike may have been longer, but it was also much more scenic. We saw lots of wildflowers, such as the bunchberry, barehip rose, columbine and trillium below. The trillium was especially surprising, as trillium blooming in the lowlands was finished over two months ago.
The forest was green and quiet.
The higher mountains were still snow covered.
Best of all, we had a scenic vista at our picnic spot by Olallie Lake.
P.S. We did do a weekly hike today (back down in the foothills), but my post on that one will have to wait until next week, as we are off to Portland and Sock Summit tomorrow! I'm taking the computer, so look for a post or two.
Oooh Julie, you're going to sock summit? Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful photos. I love to hike in the mountains when we visit them. Such fabulous views!
Ceci
We are still in Portland—heading home tomorrow. So far I've only written one brief post about Sock Summit, but I'll write more when I get home.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the compliment on my photos!