2023.4.29-30 Sourdough + Hidden Lake Peak

My first camping trip of the year. Mosquitoes are out!

4/28, OK arrived ~8:30pm. She and VI haggled on when to meet the next day.

4/29, Saturday. We met in Lynnwood at 5:40am. VI drove. Arrived at Sourdough Mountain TH before 8am (~900'), next to some housing complex (may belong to Puget Sound Energy).

Started hiking at 8:05. Just regular traill. Saw some fairy slippers. A few muddy spots. A couple of down trees. None too bad. Around 4100', we reached a flattish area. I was already lagging behind. Met a couple coming out with overnight pack. They informed us of a "knife edge", saying that the winter accent is over for the year. Finally has some view. Here (~4200-4300'), the summer trail goes NE traversing a steep slope, to cross Sourdough Creek (a proper camping area). Winter trail goes along the ridge. Met 2 girls taking a rest, sitting on the snow.

The next hour or so is fairly easy, on snowshoes now. Here's the view of our destination. Soon, we hit this "knife edge" (some trip reports call this an arrete): marked in orange on the right photo. I packed in snowshoes, aiming for the rock, hoping for hand/foot hold. VI and OK went on the left side, but soon, realized that my approach is safer. The snow is too slushy today, and doesn't hold weight. I circled myself on this photo from OK. You can see that the two girls at snack break caught up and was right behind me. But they didn't come up.

After this rock arrete, it's all very easy. Expansive views: mountains everywhere. Around noon, I found some shade and sat down for lunch, while VI and OK continued to the summit of Sourdough. On this photo, you can see our track coming up from the left (ridge), and our subsequent route to Stetattle Ridge.

Sourdough Mountain is just a bump. Snow was so soft, that on this slope, my left foot slipped got buried. I didn't bring a shovel (OK carried one), so it took me many minutes to extract my foot with snowshoes out of the hole. Once you are on the summit, you know it's higher than the surroundings. From afar all look similar. No lookout building as indicated on WTA.

We retraced our step to the junction and now heading west to Stetattle Ridge. We actually stopped at Peak 6308, instead of Stetattle Ridge proper. The view is similar, but on the way, we could see Sourdough Lake better. Also it's closer to the Picketts. By then, it was already 2:30pm.

Back as we came, cut slightly on the top ridge. At the rock arrete, OK and I climbed over the rocks just as we did in the morning. VI went on its east side, which triggered many small avalanches. We could hear him. Met a group of 3 campers watching us.

Back on the main drag. VI and OK followed the footprints down. I didn't like the way we came up, so took a more direct way down. Got back to the car ~5:50pm, 20 minute before OK and VI who were ahead of me we I veered off our tracks. The last 2 miles were boring and hot. It was 75°F in the city. Here, at least 80&def;F.

VI's app logged ~11.5 miles, 5900'.

Driving out, the gate at the west end of the bridge over Stetattle Creek was now closed. OK went over, walked around the gate, and picked up a callbox trying to talk to someone. I walked over too, she was waiting. A truck drove in. I talked to them. One guy said they were given a key card. He waved the card at the reader. The gate didn't open. Then, one of them said, try to drive your car, maybe the gate would open to the outbound traffic. He is right. We drove out, the gate opened automatically!

OK directed us to a "closed" campground near our next TH, which is about 45 min away. We drove there: Marble Creek C.G. Parked at the gate. When we were moving the car into a better position, a truck drove here, lifted the gate. The gate is NOT locked! So, we turned around and drove in too. Good that we drove. The campsites are at least 0.5 miles in. We took the very first campsite. There's a large kayak group in the far end of the campground. By then, it was almost 8pm. OK brought her car camping tent (no rainfly). VI made his bed in his car, and only then, he realized that he forgot to bring a sleeping bag! For dinner, VI brought totilla, cheese, instant noodle. OK brought pea soup and lunch meat as usual, and cut pineapples to share. I had refried beans. VI and OK each brought a gallon of water. Still not enough. I filtered another gallon of water, so we have enough for tomorrow. Mosquitoes are out, but not really biting. The moon is about 40%, too bright to see stars.

4/30, Sunday, cooler, more clouds. We packed out shortly after 6:30am.

Blowdowns on the road forced us to walk ~1 mile to the TH, just like my last April. We took a wrong start to go up hill, but not far off, it's just super steep. Once we reach the spine of the slope, it's more manageable. (On the way out, I exited at the true turn-off. There's a small cairn marking it.) The slope got easier the higher we were. A runner overtook us. He carried almost nothing. He drove a Prius, and parked at the turn on Hwy-20. So had to walk at least a mile more than we did. This might be his report. We haven't met anyone else that day, unlike my last snowshoe hike here. More snow is easier.

I put on snowshoes a little below 5000'. Once broke out of the forest, it's going down a little (to the summer trail?), then a short steep ascent. This is the only section steep enough for glissade on the way down. Then you reach the bottom of the climb. It's wide open, with great views. Saw 3 ptarmigans.

The view here is always incredible. Too many peaks. Hidden Lake below.

Retraced our own track down. We followed the spine of the slope all the way down to the road. Found a small cairn at the turn. We walked by on the way in without noticing. Got back to car ~2:30pm.

Made one gas stop in Arlington before I-5. OK dropped me off at home ~5pm. My forehead (between my hat and sunglasses) got burned! VI's app logged ~8 miles, 4200'.

2023.4.27-28 Seattle KC Free Clinic

This is the first time I heard of Seattle King County Clinic, a 4-day volunteer driven event at Seattle Center. I went for dental and vision care, due to my lousy insurance. It is an interesting experience.

4/27, Thursday. Clinic service ticket was handed out at 5:30am every day at Fisher Pavilion. I got there at ~5:20, and was in a short queue to get in the door. After a simple COVID screening, I was lead to a given seat (by order of arrival). The downstairs of the Fisher Pavilion was already ~60% full. Posters in various languages listing services here were hung on the walls.
A team of 3 started handing out tickets shortly after I seated, each holding a roll of numbered tickets with different colors: medical only, dental and vision. One wears a Mandarin interpreter vest, and one wears a Spanish interpreter vest. Each "patient" can only request one ticket per day.
As the ticket was being distributed, someone found a woman sleeping on the floor hiding under a recess. She came here ~midnight yesterday! It took multiple volunteers to wake her up. She said she was in the 2nd row. One volunteer went to get her a ticket.
By the time I received my dental ticket, it was about 6:30. I could now leave my seat. Walked around the hall, picked up some books donated by Seattle Public Library. There're also a few tables offer some other services, and one table handing out snacks and bottled water. I went home to sleep more, and came back to Fisher Pavilion ~9:30.

At my turn, about 20 of us followed one volunteer to McCall Hall, where the patient intake took place. I filled a form (multiple languages available), which the volunteer typed into a computer. She asked my employment, housing, reason come come to this clinic, height, weight, drink or smoke, current medication. Then I was issued a number with a sticket to put over a folder, and the same sticker on my dental form.

Yet another volunteer took a group of dental patient to Exhibition Hall, again, sit in the order of arrival. It was ~10am. For the next 3 hours, I waited. Talked to the 2 ladies ahead of me (one from Columbia, one from Mexico), and the guy after me. Also did some work, since the Internet is fast enough here. Then I read my book. I did pick up some snacks here, but didn't eat, because I wanted to keep my teeth clean for the dentists. A journalist interviewed a lady a row ahead of me. She has a full time job. About 1pm, finally, I was led to a dentist who checked out my teeth. I told her my one problem and asked for deep cleaning. She took one X ray on my problem, suggested that root canal is a more valuable service than cleaning. Because I could only ask for one service a day. The X ray printout was stapled on my dental form (now with her notes). I was taken to a task person to sign off for the actual service, and he vetoed root canal. As I was escorted to the checkout desk, I relayed this decision to the diagnostic doctor. She and another doctor argued with the task person, insisted that root canal should be administered, as long as a crown is not needed at the same time. Guess what, no endo doctor on duty today, and the cleaning is done also. At 1:20, I was given a pink wrist band and an instruction sheet to come back tomorrow. My diagnostic doctor told me that there'll be 2 doctors in the morning (from 10:30) and 1 doctor in the afternoon. The instruction sheet said that I need to arrive before 6:30am directly to Exhibition Hall, otherwise, my service cannot be guaranteed.

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4/28, Friday. I arrived at 5am at Fisher Pavilion to get a vision ticket. A couple after me said they got up at 2am in order to come here, because they live on Bainbridge Island. Today I brought tooth brush and tooth paste, so I wouldn't go hungry. Chatted with the volunteer there: she came at midnight for her shift!

At 6am, I was queuing up in front of the Exhibition Hall. At 6:30, we were let in after another COVID screening, and was given an orange wrist band labeled as 4/28 Dental. I was led up to a waiting area for root canal, the 6th inline. Since there was no doctor until 10:30, we all had 4+ hours to wait. The volunteer who watched us is also a dentist, but from another country, so couldn't practice here. This photo was taken ~7:30, when the hygenists were gathered for the pre-service talk. ? Why are we made to come in before 6:30?

I went to McCall hall for another round of intake process. Got a blue form for vision. Went to Cornish Play House for vision checkup. Since I have brought my prescription, I was taken to an optician directly. He brought me 6 pairs of glasses to try on. I tried on 2, couldn't decide. Ask the "patient" next to me. She liked the 2nd pair, so that was it. Single vision for distance. Bifocal is also offered. Yet another volunteer took me to the checkout. I was told to come back on 6/4-5 to pick up the glasses or wait for the mail. I lost my 2 pairs of glasses last month, and was hoping to get a pair sooner here. I've already ordered 2 pairs online. Hope those will arrive sooner.

Back at my waiting area. The volunteer changed shift. The Palestinian ahead of me (#5) showed me his family photos and food photos. He said that the clinic was twice as large last time he came. They also did crown back then. He also gave me a booklet of metro bus ticket. The Mexican after me (#7) is a mechanical engineer from Guadalajara. We chatted in Spanish. He told me to watch movies (dubbed) in Spanish.

~10am, someone came over to look at our X-rays and notes. Sure enough, at 10:30, the first 2 went into the mobile unit. When the 4th person was called, I went to brush my teeth. My turn didn't come until ~1:30pm. It took maybe 30 minutes. All quite smooth and professional. The Palestanian guy was still lying on the chair.

I wasn't allowed to receive another dental service today. So had to check out. Then, I went to McCall Hall to checkout my lower back pain. A nurse interviewed me, checked my blood sugar, blood pressure. Acupunture was out today. Physical theropy also. I went to see an occupational therapist (no line), she made some pratical suggestions. The next door is foot problem, no line either. So I saw a practicioner there, and was told that my shoes are too narrow for my toes. Met LL (from a hiking group) who escorted me down to the checkout desk.

Overall, I'm surprised by the planning (well organized) and the amount of volunteers, pleased by the services, but dismayed by the slowness.

2023.4.27. US Air Force Band of the Golden West

4/27, Thursday. 7pm. One of the US Air Force wind ensembles, Band of the Golden West played at the recital hall in Benaroya. Only brass, no wood wind. 1 keyboard, 1 electric guitar, 1 vocal. They introduce each piece, and the players (both the name and rank) of the solo parts. I enjoyed the concert, so is my friend and the teenage daughter. I'm surprised to find the concert hall mostly empty. There was another concert at 7:30pm on the main stage tonight.

2023.4.27. New painting on the Amazon stairs

The previous paintings were wiped out for a week, and the stairs laid blank. I was looking forward to a new design. But I like the last one better.

2022.4.22. Yoyo contest

4/22, Saturday. PNW Regional Yo-Yo Championship. I stopped by in the morning on my way back from Trader Joes, carrying my grocery. Saw 3 contestants in the preliminary round. Not bad. Decided to come back after lunch.

Saw a round of kids (under 10) competing.
The X division is most interesting to me. 2 yoyos together. In the 3A round, only one contester, and the only female contester today.
People came from all around the country. I actually saw some people with yo-yos in my building. A former US champion, a couple of regional champions, a guy who is 3 times Chinese champion. The very last round is the standard 1 yoyo, 15 competitors, some are sponsored by yoyo manufacturers.

They are all amazing. All but 1 are young dudes. High energy music. Fast movement. Lots of young boys in the audience. Tables selling yo-yo gears.

2023.4.21. Dear Humanity - a community concert

4/21, Friday. Seattle Symphony and UW choir performed this free community concert. Not many people. I reserved the ticket online ahead of time, but no one checked the ticket. I met with a friend and his teenage daughter. We sat at the founter tier first row. A little far, but we see very well.

Gabriella Smith  - Tidalwave Kitchen (2012)
Tan Dun          - Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds
Michael Abels    - Global Warming
Angelique Poteat - Dear Humanity for Youth Chorus & Orchestra

There's an introductino in front of each piece. The 4-movement symphony "Dear Humanity" is composed with 3 other young ladies. Kinda interesting. They have some drawing board out in the lobby about the piece.

I didn't like the "kitchen", very dissonant. The girl liked it. All of us like the 2nd piece. I think "Global Warming" is too happy. I like the choir, but my friend doesn't. Overall, we enjoyed the concert. It's the girl's first time at Benaroya Hall. She seems excited to be here. Visited all the tables in the lobby, took away many brochures, buttons and stickers. They are all stationed by youth groups, perfect for her.

2023.4.20. Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream

4/20, Thursday, 7:30. An elaborate production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at PNB. Multiple fanciful screens made for the stage sets, quite efficient. Almost 100 people on the stage sometimes (including 20 some little bees), must be a nightmare to coordinate. Quite funny at times, with the 2 confused couple, and the donkey. Mendelssohn's music, always pleasing. However, I dozed off in the 2nd act: a consequence of trying to get up early.

2023.4.18. Jury Duty

It's been awhile since I was last called into jury duty, and I wasn't selected, even though I was there for a whole day waiting to be called. I remembered a crappy room with a lot of people, no connection to the outside, so I had to bring a book while waiting. Now, about 60 some people gathered in this airy room with super high ceilings. There's fast WiFi (in this assmebly room only), a few plugs, nice rooftop deck, a small kitchen with a microwave and fridge (in case you want to heat up your lunch). Coffee and Biglow tea is provided. The water dispenser said it needs a new filter.

I was told to be there at 8:30am, and I arrived at exactly 8:30. After signing in, I was given a label and 4 bus tickets, and told to wait till 9am, when this lady came to play two videos, outlining what we shall expect, and why we are here. Then she told us, no trial was scheduled for this week, but she wanted us to wait awhile in case of a last minute change. I went out to check out the nice deck (a little too chilly to sit out there now). There's also a smaller room with more power outlets. Around 10:30am, she told us that we could all go home, and return 2 bus tickets. So this becomes a normal workday.

2023.4.15. Jim Hill Mountain

4/15, Saturday. Weather.gov forecasted rain after 2pm. MH and I met up at 6am, headed for Jim Hill, hoping to return early. It's 7 miles RT, with 3700' EG. I should have read the Summitpost article ahead of time. I only downloaded a GPS track. MH brought a helmet, and I didn't (a mistake). We chose North Spur route.

Her car is the first one at the parking lot outside of Steven's Pass Nordic Center (gate is closed). We both already had boots and gaiters on, and snowshoes packed, so it was quick, even after using the honey bucket (in decent condition). We were on the trail before 8am. Elevation ~3000'. Almost sunny.

Lanham Lake Trail has a visible track or tracks all the way to the lake. The beginning of the trail was very icy. MH fell right away, as I was putting on micro-spikes. Stay on the right (west) side of Lanham Creek. At about 0.5 mile, ~3440', 8:02am, junction to a road and the powerline towers.

At about 2 miles, ~4100', 8:35am, Lanham Lake. Saw tracks across the lake, but we didn't want to risk it. This photo is taken on the way back, where we stopped for almost 10 minutes watching this ptarmigan walking and postholing in the snow. Very funny.

Put on snowshoes at the lake. We skirted on the left (east). The next 1500' is quite steep. I started to lag behind MH. Better footing here than the lower slope of Rock Mt of 2 weeks ago. Here, wider slopes allows zigzag. Snow on dirt, not on rock. Snowshoes worked well. Found a few pink ribbons tied on trees in the lower half of this slope At ~9:50, I reached the ridge, elevation ~5500'. Views openned up. We could see Hwy-2 below, and also Rock Mountain that we both climbed 2 weeks ago.

More clouds. We followed the ridge up (less steep now), mostly stayed on its right (west) slope, except at the end, I skirted to its left slope. As we went higher, we could see Glacier Peak, but soon it disappeared into the clouds.

Finally we reached the bowl under Jim Hill's 2 peaks. We dumped snowshoes at the bottom of the peak to the right (west). MH put on her helmet. We switched to crampons. It took me a long time to tie on my new corded crampons, using a new threading method. It works well.

The top ridge is scary. Probably the most dangerous one I climbed this year. It's super narrow, just snow dumped on rocks. At least the snow is thick. The crampons don't hold on to anything. I called up to MH ahead of me, telling her to go on without me, I may turn around at any point. Took me awhile to make my first step on the first snow bridge. Walked/crawled gingerly, following MH's footsteps (no track before we arrived). Every single step has to be stable. Either side, if I lose balance, will be disastrous. At the last sketchy slope, MH was already turning around. She waited for me at the other side, and then, accompanied me to the summit again. The last part is easy. The summit is actually rather flat, where we can walk around and take photos. 11:40.

Great view, could be better. Thick dark clouds. Crawled back gingerly. Before swapping snowshoes on, ate lunch. Going down is fast. Got back to the lake at 13:20, saw the ptarmigan walking on the lake shore. We walked around him, he didn't run away. The poor bird was postholing into the snow.

Back to the car at 14:10. Changed out my wet boots/socks. Chatted with 2 skiers parked next to us. They went for a loop out of Henry Creek. Didn't climb. I was intrigued by the "remodel" of their van. They gracefully showed us what they did. 2 sections of wood platform which they can fold up. There were 6 cars now. We didn't see anyone while on the trail.

Back in Seattle at 16:30. Cooked dinner, showered, set up my alarm for 8:30pm before taking a nap. Headed to SeaTac to return the car. 3 times to the airport this weekend.

Update: my legs and arms were sore until Wednesday.

2023.4.12. UW cherry quad

Every year I visit UW's cherry quad at the peak bloom of cherry blossom. Now you can check the webcam to time your visit. I picked a weekday to avoid the crowd. I was so wrong: a lot of people. Still, it's a lovely place, despite of the crowd.
Saw one lady painting there. I didn't linger, because I have to go back to work.

2023.4.8. LIGO observatory at Hanford

4/8, Saturday. I borrowed a car and drove to Richland for a 1:15pm (I changed my 10:15am reservation to this later one) tour of LIGO (every 2nd Saturday). It's a long drive, so I made a few stops on the way.

First stop is Wanapum Dam. Grant County PUD (Public Utility District) visitor center is closed on weekends outside of summer. So I walked around the little Turbine park next door. Shaded picnic tables and clean bathrooms. I filled my water bottle here at the drinking fountain. The turbine is quite big when you stand in front of it. A ramp of stairs to its top for a better view of the dam.

2nd stop is Beverly Rail bridge. I first made a stop at a roadside pullout north of the bridge to take this photo. Some leftover of an abandonned concrete structure. Access to the bridge on the east side is problematic. Maybe at the corner of Railroad Ave (1st Ave on Google Map) + Main St. There's a gate closing half of the lane, so a car cannot drive over. I saw two small groups walking the bridge, one brought lunch. There are benches here and there, but no two together. Then I drove to the depressive-looking town and parked at a road end. Walked up to the trail, and then all the way to the west side of the bridge and back. The view is better on the west side. A nice walk.

Now the highlight. I arrived ahead of my scheduled tour. Nice lobby, clean bathroom, water refill. A museum with interactive activities on simple physics concepts. An old quad suspension setup in its own display case showing how the mirror is held to minimize disturbance.
Tour startes with a brief introduction in the classroom. Then we slowly walked to the control room, quite a few kids in tow, as young as ~5. We walked by a discontinued laser tube section and the cover. The metal cover is made in sections to take heat expansion into the account, as well as to provides topical access to the laser tube, which is vacuum sealed.
Saw 2 researchers in the control room on this Saturday afternoon. Soon 2 more came in with their lunches. They are rushing to get the final fixing in place for an imminent run. Many charts and diagrams on large monitors hanging on the walls. One plots current earchquakes around the world. 3 times: current local time, GMT, and epoch time.
Last, we went to an overpass, above one beam, so we could see both laser arms, even though we were still fairly low. The midway station (at 2km) looks so far out, that only then, the 4km length stroke me with its physical presence. Beyond this, earth curvature needs to be taken in account. VIRGO in Italy, even though much newer, is only 3km long, so less accurate.
A postdoc from Australian is our tour guide today. She's displeased with the Australian government for its unwillingness to build an observatory, as Australia has a unique advantage to set up one for its large uninhabited territory, and being on the southern hemisphere. She's here only for a few month, lodging in the town nearby with other postdocs, and doesn't drive (wrong side). She visited the LIGO in Louisana before, and said there was once an alligator took a liking to a pond next to the beam created by a down pour. She likes to give tours. I certainly enjoyed her tour.

Stopped at Yakima for gas. First, checked out the city's arboretum, right by the highway (I-82). A large lawn, a small rose garden (non blooming), a winter garden, one Japanese-looking small section with a stone bridge and tiny pond. The visitor center has a classroom, a couple of fish tanks (has a turtle in one). Not too many trees, no labels. The odd part is that it's next to Buchanan Lake, but you cannot see it. I had to almost bushwack through some "mining" warning signs and overgrowth of dead branches to get to the waterfront. It looks very industrious. There's a nicer trail south of the lake, going by Wenachee River.

After filling gas, I checked out a Mexican grocery store called Fiesta Foods. Good price on some groceries, not all. It has fresh-looking tortillas, meats, as well as lots of junk food.

Last, visited Cowiche Canyon. Started at the west TH. Mine was the only car parked there, which made me uncomfortable, because we had a break-in not far from here 2 years ago at a TH (in Naches).
I made a small loop, from the boardwalk of the canyon floor, up along Lone Pine trail to the Summitview trail, then back down on an unamed trail. The canyon floor is nice, as you don't see houses and trash. Once up on the plateau, lots of rusty junk, but better view of distant mountains. Also more flowers. Found good patches of Grass Widows, and Golden Bells. A few white lomatians (not sure what kind), Sagebrush Violets, some buttercup (not sure which kind). Not a flower meca, maybe not time yet.

On my drive back, hit some rain. Tomorrow the weather is worse. Otherwise, I'd make this a 2 day outing. Filled up gas at Cle Elum, and got back to Seattle just ~9:30pm.