Second Beach - May 23 & 24, 2015

The beach is only a half a mile from the car so it makes for an easy "back country" experience, and if you forget anything you can always run back to the car and get it.

Getting things sorted out before we begin.

 Drew & Wayne enjoy a break in the mist.

 Some Fukushima debris

 Laura tends the evening campfire

 Wayne faces his first morning backpacking.

 A "sucker hole" passes over the haystacks.

Washington Pass - April 15, 2015

One would never guess this is one of the worst snow years on record given what we experienced on this, the only Wednesday snowshoe of the year. Everyone enjoyed the sunshine, blue skies, and fresh snow. This hike has become an annual spring favorite.

 State Creek emerges from its' winter covering

 All Smiles

 Liberty Bell Mountain

Potholes Coulee - February 21, 2015

Potholes Coulee is a fascinating geologic feature sitting on the Babcock Bench overlooking the Columbia River. It contains two parallel alcoves in the surrounding basalt separated by a 1.5 mile long rock ridge. At the head of each alcove are lakes. It was a fascinating walk for a "west sider".

"Ancient Lakes" sit at the head of the Northern Alcove.

Probably a chunk of entablature rock fallen from the walls above.

Ancient Lakes Basin from the headwall. Flood bars from the ice age floods are evident.

Dusty Lake and the wall separating it's basin from Ancient Lakes Basin.

Lichen Artwork

Hidden Lake/ Glacier View - January 31, 2015

This was the first group snow shoe of the year. I was beginning to wonder whether we would have any. The snow wasn't very deep but there was enough to have a quite enjoyable time and the views across Lake Wenatchee were stellar. Everyone enjoyed getting out.

 Glacier Peak reflected in Lake Wenatchee

The gang posed in front of "The Beast"

  I was relieved to find sufficient snow.

 Laura leads the way

 Passing along the shore of Hidden Lake.

Smiles all around

 Dirty Face Peak

Colockum Wildlife Refuge - December 30, 2014

Sat and I explored new territory with this hike along the Columbia River. Temperatures were in the mid 20's but there was no wind so the hiking was quite pleasant. The desert landscape was a new experience but quite beautiful. It should be amazing with spring wildflowers.