Headed out at 3:20pm to catch the lightrail. Got picked up at 4pm. No traffic in Seattle, but congestion around Lynnwood and Marysville on I-5. Not sure what's the cause. Wasted an hour on the road, despite of following Google's alternative suggestions: the alternatives were also choked.
Once turned off Hwy-520, I was pleasantly surprised (even though I half-expected it because of some trip report) that Canyon Creek Road (NF31) has greatly improved since my last visit eons ago. The 15 miles (half paved) forest road still has bumps and holes, but now passable by a regular sedan. 3 other cars at the TH, one of thich is low clearance.
We started hiking shortly before 8pm. On the way saw a band of orange under dark grey sky.
Damfino Lake area has 3 ponds. The middle one may be all year round. All look mosquito-y.
Boardwalk over potentially muddy ground.
We reached the pond at the Excelsoir Pass ~9pm. It's too shallow and small to my liking. We continued towards to the ridge. A tent and 2 chairs took the center stage. Continued over Excelsoir Peak and down to another saddle. Pitched the tent in the ever dimming light. Settled down to watch the sky. I passed out after seeing only one meteor - a shining one.
Total today, maybe 3 miles, 1400'.
8/13, Saturday. Cloudy. One recent trip report on WTA mentioned running water on the south side of Excelsoir. FIrst, I walked south to hunt for water. Didn't find any, but saw 2 nice camp sites (unoccupied). Back to camp, picked up empty water bottles and pouches, and walked back down to the creek we walked by yesterday. I took a shortcut, was cliffed out at one point, but managed to get to the creek much higher than where the trail crosses it.
High Divide is a ridge walk, no tree cover.
Thick clouds today provided nice shade and cool temperature for walking.
The initial walk is not truly on the ridge, rather on the south side, where the better view is.
It's ~4.2 miles from camp to Welcome Pass (drop ~1150' gain ~700'). Passing this brown pond with bear paw prints on the edge.
There's a steep trail going down to Hwy-520 from Welcome Pass, if you want a work-out.
Continued on High Divide, soon on a proper ridge, now going north.
Only one snow patch left, large enough to last awhile. Refilled my water bottle here.
You can see Chilliwack on the Canadia side. No wonder, last night, the sky wasn't very dark.
Took a long lunch break at Keep Kool Butte, our turn-around point, waiting for the sun to shining on the many ponds below Yellow Aster Butte. A few flies.
~1.5 miles, 1000' from Welcome Pass.
All morning, we didn't see another human.
On our way back, we met maybe 6 people total. One ask us where is the next water.
Saw this cool cave. Didn't peek inside to look for its host.
The clouds were burning off, and the sun was shining on the huckleberry leaves.
Not many berries or no berry at all.
Fireweeds were blooming happily. Other flowers were not doing well here.
Back at camp, we picked up towels and water bottles to go down to the creek.
We could see quite a few people on top of Excelsoir.
It's good that we camped on this side, so avoided all the day hikers.
Checked out the pond first, it still doesn't look nice in the day light.
A group was camping south of it in the trees.
The creek had a lot of monkey flowers blooming, and valarians.
Washed and filled water.
Back at the camp with 4 litres of water.
Rest, read my book, hiding in the shade.
Cooked dinner (Mexican refried beans and mashed potatos).
After 8pm, I headed up to Excelsoir Peak to wait for the sunset.
Saw 1 more tent at the pass to the north, and one more with a dog to the south.
The setting sun casted a beautiful hue on the landscape.
Clearer sky today. Waiting for the meteors. I fell asleep, but set alarm for midnight. Counted 14 big meteors. Waiting too long for my 15th, fell asleep. My partner said at 2am, the meteors were going every minute, some times more than one on the sky.
Total today ~13 miles, ~3000'.
8/13, Sunday. Sunny.
Packed up and hiked down.
Started to seeing people coming in.
We got back to the car shortly after 9am.
Made one gas stop. Smooth sailing. No traffic. Got dropped off shortly after noon.
Took the lightrail, but we were all chased off the train at Capitol Hill Station. Had to take a shuttle bus to downtown. Very crowded. It was getting quite hot. I'm glad to be back before it got hot. I spent the afternoon reading a book. After finishing the laundry, I turned off my water heater. The next week, it was going to the 90°Fs.
