Too much sitting and not enough exercise the past couple weeks, I felt like I needed to do something long and more strenuous. I also needed to break in a new pair of hiking boots. It was Saturday, partly sunny skies, 40’s out overnight but supposed to get to 70 in the afternoon. I didn’t want to go too far away, so headed up to Rattlesnake Lake and got on the trail later than normal for me, around 1045, and in amongst the throngs of other hikers. Its the first time I ever had to wait for a parking spot to open up in the large parking lot. But while busy on the way up to the ledge, it wasn’t quite as bad as I’ve seen before. Once I got past the upper ledge and continued on up the mountain, it was much more quiet and pleasant. Only a handful of people passing in either direction.
It took me about 2 hours to get to the East Peak which was 4 miles. That was essentially the highest point and generally all downhill from there west, with minor ups and downs. I took about 15 minute break f0r a sandwich, and was accosted almost immediately by Camp Robbers aka grey jays. Barely had my sandwich in hand and one tried to fly right up to take a piece. Sorry buddy, I thought. Mine.
Once I continued on, it wasn’t long before I came to freshly clear cut area on the south side of the mtn. In fact a trail detour was in place due to many trees down and trail damage because of the all the logging work last year. The detour didn’t really add anything to distance hiked, but it bypassed a lot of trail that was really the best part of the mtn. I tried at one point to get back on the original trail, but kept coming upon trees down and have to go around them. Lots of them. Was as if a major windstorm had blown them all down. Really I think the loggers caused most of it. Hard to say for sure, but they logged right up to the trail in some spots, which to me is unacceptable.
Once the detour was over, I was about halfway done, and decided for sure at that point I wouldn’t be heading back to the lake. I had told Wendy I would decide once up there whether I would turn around, or continue on and call for a ride. I just didn’t want to go back to the crowds again. I made one more stop for an apple at the 6 mile mark, and my feet were getting sore but I was committed, nothing I could do except continue. It wasn’t crowded and just a few people the rest of the way, and I was at Snoqualmie Point by 330.
Just over 10 miles. I was tired but it was worth it. One bad blister on my right foot, back of my heel. Skin peeled so it will be a few days before its good enough to put my boots back on.