Baker Lake Trail Run

I had a day off so I decided to take a solo day trip. After flipping through the pages of my book, 50 Trail Runs in Washington, I settled on Baker Lake, a dammed lake. The run is a 26 mile out and back, along the banks of Baker Lake, which is near the base of Mt. Baker. From Seattle, this is a 2 hour 30 minute drive, but I figured I would getting my monies worth with the trail run mileage.

With my bag full of fruit, a few books, my camera,and lots of water, off onto the trail I went.

Turns out there is a 50k Trail Run there soon. Wish I could but I have to work that day for Sherman Alexie will be reading poetry at my branch.

Anyway, here are some photos of my trip.

Mt. Si Day Hike

Well I guess you can't stop me. I decided to take another day hike, but this time up to the top of Mt. Si. For information about Mt. Si, such as elevation gain and mileage, simply click the link here.

I included a slideshow below.

This solo trip was just what I needed. The trail itself was a little crowded, but it was a nice Saturday afternoon after all.

Anyway, enjoy the photos...

Lake 22 and more

Well I did another hike, this time a solo hike to Lake 22. I have included a slideshow of this hike, as well as, my day hike with Brian to Heather Lake.

I started early in the morning, hoping to beat any traffic on the road . I knew if I were able to climb to the lake then I would want to spend a while there, maybe play with some rocks and build something, swim in the lake, and then probably smoke my cigar. It is dependent on whether there was still a lot of snow up there or not. Due to a very harsh winter and a lot of late snowfall, I just wasn't sure.

I had the entire trail to myself all morning and I ran up along the mountainside. The trail was very slick and wet, with a lot of tiny waterfalls pouring down the mountain. It seemed very likely there would still be a lot of snow at the lake.

When I crested and saw the lake for the first time, it took my breath away because of all the ice still in the waters, like little ice cubes in a giant cup of water. I walked to the waters edge and put my fingers in and found it would be too cold for a dip.

I could talk about this trip some more but really the photos are all you need.

Heather Lake

Brian and I took a day hike to Heather Lake, a place I like to trail run. The snow is still lingering in the mountains, especially higher up where I would have liked to take him. Since Heather Lake is a little lower elevation, it seemed like our best bet, plus he had never been to it and it is rather gorgeous anyway.

To get to Heather Lake you just need to get to the Mountain Loop Highway in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, about 1 H 30 M drive. Not bad at all.

The trail takes you through dense wet forests, with ancient cedar stumps that were cut down by loggers in the turn of the 20th century. You can see the notches in them still, where the loggers wedged their boards in to stand on as they cut away at the huge trees.

You climb up and up until you then begin climbing down, down to where the lake is formed, at the based of Mt. Pilchuck. There was snow everywhere and we had to be careful for a lot of it was in the process of melting and it was quite unsteady. We made our way to the lake, with was so clear there were mirror images of the mountains sweeping across it. If only it weren't so cold up there with the snowy air, for there is a wonderful swimming hole on the sound end.

We found a huge boulder, climbed up on it and gawked at the Heather Lake's majesty surrounding us from all sides. We had a little lunch, smoked a cigar, talked about anything and everything, and even listened to some music.

Out of nowhere there was a loud crack, like Thunder and the earth rumbled. An avalanche had begun on Mt. Pilchuck. We were nervous at first because we didn't know where the snow was coming but we ended up being fine for it was on the other side of the mountain. The whole experience was otherworldly, giving me goosebumps for rarely do you experience an avalanche like that. We just sat and listened to it, completely blown away.

STP 2011

Well that's it. I made it to Portland via bicycle yet again.

I've just completed my 4th Seattle To Portland bicycle ride, a 210 miles trek all in one day. This morning I am sitting at Crema Coffee + Bakery in Portland, enjoying an iced Americano and chocolate croissant, thinking about yesterday's accomplishments and mishaps. This time around I had Charles accompanying me, the husband of one of my beloved co-workers. He is a solid guy and a solid rider, though he was nervous never having ridden this far in one day before.

My alarm went off at 3:55 am yesterday morning, though I was already awake staring at the ceiling. I never get good rest the night before a major event, which makes getting up in the morning the hardest thing. Once you get up all you have to do is either start running or biking. If you can just get up the rest is cake.

I was on my bike by 4:25am, a stomach full of an Odwalla shake and Cliff Bar. A few miles to the start line, where I dropped my bag off, and then the ride began. I was meeting Charles at Seward Park since he was coming over from Beacon Hill. Around 5am, we connected and off we went.

The early sections of the rode ar eso full of riders since you are all starting around the same time more of less. Eventually all 2,500 of the One Day Riders get stretched out, making the roads clearer and less crowded. After a handful of riders, the jitters in your stomach have left and you are just enjoying the road, the endless colors of bike jerseys, and the people.

You eat, you drink, you joke around, you ride....all day.

We were making great time all day, jumping from pace line to pace line. Around mile 140, just 1 mile from a Rest Stop, Charles got a flat. Not a big deal or anything, but it is an interruption. Charles patched up his wheel just fine and we got to the bike mechanic to fully inflate the tire. No more than 5 minutes behind schedule now.

Bam, rattle. rattle. rattle. A spoke on my front wheel just broke and my wheel is caving in. I let out a curse. I was the pace setter, the one in front of a group of riders in a pace line. I move to the right, closer to the shoulder, as the rider behind me pulls up saying "busted spoke?" "Yep"
I yell at Charles as he passes, hoping he heard what I said as I have to stop my bike.

In a situation with a busted spoke on a ride such as this, there really are only a few options for you. 1. Ride is over. 2. Swap out the wheel. I choose number 2. The next rest area was only a few miles ahead and if I took it easy, very easy, I hoped my wheel would hold up until I got there. It was already bending in, so I knew I didn't have much time. I didn't really have many other options though.

I slowly made my way to the Lexington Food Stop at mile 160(?) the final Food Stop for STP. The bike mechanic explained to me the options and I bought a new wheel for $60 (a steal actually). Ride saved!

From Lexington, we have to ride through Kelso-Longview and over the Longview Bridge into Oregon. I love crossing that bridge because it is wonderful incline and the downhill is exhilarating. And that is about it for the ride.

We rode into Portland feeling great, despite a sore ass, sore neck and back muscles, and a slight sunburn. Charles popped a wheelie as he rode across the finish line, with the crowd cheering him on.

What a great ride.

TEDxOverlake

On Saturday, I was privileged to participate in a TED Talk along with a select group of educators and innovators. The theme was 'How People Learn' and with a variety of guest lecturers, from old to young, we explored the ways in which people live to learn and learn to live. It didn't matter if you had a formal education at some great school or simply learned on your own terms through nature, books, or friends, what mattered is that you learned and often you first would learn through your failures.

The theme of failure was the most often brought up idea in learning for it is through failure that one can achieve perseverance. Failure challenges you to be better, to do better. I think back at times when I may have faltered, stumbled, and failed. One thing I never did...I never gave up. Maybe it was my stubbornness. All I know is that you must try again and again for that is that is the most important thing for each time you learn something about yourself.

Summer

So I am gearing up for yet another marathon (how many is that now??? who cares how many. I just love running.) The air is getting warmer so I am stripping down the layers and am soaking up the sun. I have noticed more people on the trails; it is like the sleepy city of Seattle is waking up after a long, cold winter.

I have been checking out the Evergreen Trail Run Series website hoping there are some dates that work with my calendar, allowing me to participate in some of these events. So far no luck. Either I am working or I already have plans so it is a little frustrating. Luckily, with Pacific Northwest trail running, there are always events to be had. There may be a few dates in August that work for me so in the meantime I will just keep on running.

I am really excited to visit some of my favorite day trail runs that have been closed due to the winter's snow. Come June, most of the trails are starting their annual thawing out process. I desperately want to see Mt. Pilchuck, Heather Lake, and Lake 22 again. My gear is all packed, all I need to do is run to the store, grab some mixed nuts, cheese, salami, baguette, and jump in my car and go.