Trail Sign to Stevens Pass

As always, more pictures available at: Kendall Katwalk 08-07-09 Flickr Set
Class this morning assured that I would be up early, but the lingering migraine made me uncertain.  So set auto-pilot to on, pack up the gear, and get in the car.  Fourty-five minutes later, I’m at the trailhead to PCT at Snoqualmie Pass and hitting the trail.

Bleeding Heart Gone to Seed

The cool weather was a nice change after last week, and a number of folks appeared to have taken advantage of it, as I saw a number of backpackers coming back to the trailhead, some had fishing gear, some had huge packs, but all were in good spirits.  The abundant fields of flowers were certainly something to keep them in good spirits.  There were lots of familiar flowers, many still covered in mist from the low lying clouds of the evening.  Interestingly enough, they had started to go to seed in a number of cases.

Fields of Wildflowers

The low hanging clouds stuck around all day, keeping the temperatures cool, and creating very ineresting formations in those clouds as the warmer air lifted up from the valley floor and making a show throughout the day, all over the valley.  It helped to keep the bumble bees happy, as they had field after field of flowers to feast on, even over the boulder fields.

Small, Intriguing Cairn

These boulder fields may be my first of the season, and they were real, honest to goodness boulder fields.  Unlike my last trip three years ago, when there were more cairns, there was only one there today, but it was a very interesting one.  Throughout the whole trip, birds were singing loudly, but they got even louder across the boulder fields, and joined in with the pikas.  You could see a pika scoot along the rocks every once in a while, but they mostly stayed well out of site.  I’m pretty sure that I heard a marmot whistle as well, on the upper boulder field.  And, of course, the requisite chipmunk along the trail, of course, and various insects.

Chipmunk with Full Cheeks

Cricket, Staying Surprisingly Still

It was lovely to be able to take the time to take pictures at my leisure, having seemingly all the time in the world to go through my battery and memory card. It also gave me time to notice some interesting things – particularly that areas of the ground seemed wet. But only under trees. At one, it almost felt like there was a little bit of a waterfall that ended just at the trail. Higher up the mountain, I figured out the deal – the trees were condensing the moisture out of the air and causing it to rain, but only underneath the trees. You could stand there and watch it “rain” (albeit very slowly) just underneath some of the trees. I’m sure some particular configurations worked better than others, but it was really pretty cool.

Join me for the approach up to the Katwalk:

Dramatic Katwalk Pictures

Even after reaching the the Katwalk, the tumultuous clouds had not disappated, providing an interesting backdrop to the narrow walkway and steep cliff falling away below.  I paused for a little while, in the chilly temperatures and stiff breeze, taking pictures, taking a snack, and chatting with the handful of people who were coming through from the north.  There were a few who had just come in for the day hike, but mostly folks who had been overnighting somewhere north, or farther along the PCT.  Definitely a lot of fishing gear – some of which had seen better luck than others.

A Very Tasty Salmonberry

When it was finally time to turn around, I let the camera have a bit of a rest.  Partially to stay warm, but partially to get some trail behind me, I hoofed it a bit more quickly.  Everyone so often, the sun would break through the clouds, and provide a little bit of warmth, and a lot of brightness.  With so many lovely views on the way back to the trailhead, it was hard not to stop and take a picture, and eat a salmon berry or two.  And perhaps chat with the folks hanging out for a rest and pet the dogs who were quite well behaved.

Sun Break