Winter wonderland comes to Northern Washington’s Palmer Lake. The snow flakes were flying, and Jack Frost was nipping at our nose. Palmer Lake washed out in the subdued colors of grey, black and white, made it clear winter is here. All was quiet other that the distance honk of Canadian Geese and the ripples of the lake lapping at the shore. The air was crisp and cold, bringing a rosy color to chapped cheeks. The snow crackled and crunched with each step as we gained altitude and snow depth which each step. There were tracks meandering across the trail some identifiable such as the plentiful deer, others raised an eyebrow knowing that there are predators in this area. Out of the corner of my eye I spied a coyote shadowing us up on a nearby ridge.
What a great outing with my sister, Peggy, as she introduced me to snow shoeing. So nice to be out together in nature on such a winter’s day. I loved the snow shoeing and as the snow deepened so did my appreciation of the equipment, thinking back to post holing my way up to Big Horn Peak in California last winter in snow up to my knees in my micro spikes.
The lake and surrounding mountainsides were somewhat shrouded by fog and clouds as the snow came down ever so lightly making such a lovely wintery scene.
Sister Peggy and I snow shoed to an overlook of snowy Palmer Lake
“Off all the paths you take to hike, make sure a least a few of them are snow” – Roger Jenkins
Video of Our Snow Shoeing on PBTA YouTube click pic
Thanks for joining sister Peggy and I while we were ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ up a snowy mountainside in snow shoes and enjoying every minute of the Winter Wonderland. I hope that you will join us for more adventures and you can do so by performing a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you take a look at the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures to many idyllic locations. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the beanie I am wearing in the photo I invite you to SHOP APPARELwhere you will find top quality gear with the logo and mantra. Not only will you look and feel the part of an Adventurer seeking the balance from the hectic and mundane you will be helping spread the word that Epic Encounters in Nature are one of the keys to cleansing the soul.
>8 miles, 2,630’ elevation change, 4 hour duration, rated Hard
Date: 4-18-21
I took this hike, ‘Hiking the Firebreak’, back in November and it was easy to see that the firebreak made a big difference to the Palmer Lake area as the wildfire burned over the ridge and right down to the firebreak. The use of the firebreak by the brave firefighters made a difference. Last year the ground was charred and black, but now with Spring’s promise of renewal the area is literately “Springing” back to life. It was great to see not only the domestic animals, a herd of beautiful horses being sustained by the land, but a strong deer population as well.
On this particular hike I went past the ridge line to a nearby peak. I had wanted to summit nearby Bullfrog Peak, but came to realization that there wasn’t enough time in the day to accomplish that task. There was a climb down from where I was and then up to the summit of Bullfrog and all of that was going to add mileage and elevation change that there just wasn’t time for. Another day…
“Like wildflowers; You must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would .” – Evan Williams
Thanks for joining me ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ to a unnamed peak above Palmer Lake via the Palmer Lake Firebreak. I find solace in the renewal Spring brings each year. The ice on the lake is long gone, winter snow has melted away from all, but the Chopaka Mountain. It is good to see new life rise up from the ashes. Please stay with me for more adventure here at ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Washington Hiking by leaving a COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. You can find adventurous undertakings throughout the West by going to the Menu above. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. You can find PBTA Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.
Btw there is a Father’s Day Special of 30% off all Cotton Tees, just leave me a message with your order to receive the special price.)
A couple days after my adventure: ’Quiet Walk Through a Dormant Land’ in the Sinlahekin Valley I returned to the area. In stark contrast to my first outing, the weather was bright and beautiful. I savored the joys of adventure and discovery through the snowy area this time along Blue Lake with my brother-in-law Dale, an outdoor enthusiast, backpacker and lover of nature.
All of the surrounding mountains and ruggedness of the cliffs were now fully exposed, illuminated in brilliant sunshine. However, the weather did change towards the end of our hike as the low hung clouds once again returned to the valley with weather beginning to rolling in.
We navigated the snow covered back road effortlessly with 4WD, and then hiked the backside of the lake along a snow hidden trail. I was fascinated when Dale discovered bob cat tracks on our trek. Boy, would that have been something to see if I had the chance. Most of Blue Lake was frozen over, but there still was a portion where we saw ducks and geese enjoying the day in ice clear water. A spectacular outing in a beautiful pristine spot.
4WD is necessary to navigate the snow covered country road.
Nature has a way to repeatedly awaken ones senses and speak to the heart – Ray JardineDale takes a snack break with snowy mountains and an icy lake view.
Thanks for joining Dale and I as we found ourselves ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’, at Blue Lake in the Sinlahekin. My brother in law would be the first to tell you, as a busy lawyer, nature is so important to releasing some of the stress and to balance out such a busy life. Replenishing emotional and mental wellness by balancing that connection between body and mind through the healing that nature provides is essential. ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure‘s’ prescription is simple: fresh air, a little exercise, let your mind and indeed your soul be nurtured by the stunning beauty that Mother Nature has provided. You only need to get out and open up your senses. Feel the winter breeze, smell that wonderful pine scent, spy the glint of the sun off of a icy crag, listen to the wild geese honking across the sky, breath it in, breath it out, feel the rekindling. Stay with us as we continually experience rebirth through profound experiences in nature. You can do this by these very simple tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and don’t forget SHARE. If you will browse the menu you will see other special places to gain this fulfillment, neighboring Oregon, or maybe Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona and numerous place across the West. Be mindful that each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. At SHOP APPARELyou will find PBTA logo adventure wear. Let’s get the word out, “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.
Distance 18 miles, 1800’ elevation gain, duration approximately 12 hours of hiking, rated Moderate to Strenuous
Date: June 17-19, 2020
Nestled in the North Cascades Lake Chelan is 50 miles of Summer. At one end it is a respite from the busy, hectic life in bustling Seattle filled with lakeside homes, cabins and condos, ski boats, swimmers and sun bathers. The other end is quite different. Because of the ruggedness of this area there are no roads to the small town of Stehekin at the far end of the lake. The only way to get there is by boat or float plane keeping this area pristine and majestic.
Lake Chelan is as blue as sapphires and the views along the way compare with picturesque scenes of Norway. The long slender lake reminds me of the fjords in Alaska. Lake Chelan’s idyllic shores are heavily forested with green firs, although the area is also recovering from a damaging fire a few years back. Some of the world’s roughest mountain peaks stand as silent snow capped sentinels keeping watch over this remarkable place.
Lake Chelan, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Washington, fills a valley formed by a glacier that cut through the area making it the deepest gorge in the USA, 8,631’, measuring from the top of Pyramid Mountain to the low point of Lake Chelan 386’ below sea level. Chelan means deep water, in fact it is the 3rd deepest lake in America behind California’s Lake Tahoe and Oregon’s Crater Lake.
We boarded a boat at Fields Point, not far from the city of Wenatchee. National Geographic claims this trip is a “must do” taking about an hour through some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. We disembarked at Prince Creek shouldering our backpacks and heading out on this special adventure into the wilderness.
Our trek along the scenic Lake Shore Trail would be 18 miles long and is rated moderate to strenuous with 1800’ of elevation gain. We hiked in mid June, which is not recommended as the Summer months can reach temperatures over 100 degrees, but we had just had some rain and it was unusually cooler than normal, but I will say that even the mid to upper 80’s was quite warm. It seemed we were seldom hiking along a flat plane, constantly climbing or descending. Most of the trail is a couple hundred feet over the lake, but at times drops to within 50 feet of the lapping lakeside. Much of the time you will have a view of the water, and some of the open vistas will take your breath away with the stunning natural beauty of the blue lake, the green forest, hills, mountains, and strikingly rugged snowy peaks.
The vegetation was diverse ranging from ponderosa pine forest, as well as some of the burn area, to dry, hot, grassy and rocky areas. We fording multiple rushing streams and dropped down into green, lush, creek fern grottos. Although we only encountered lizards, a blue grouse, and a deer on our trip the area is also home to black bear, elk, and rattlesnake.
After a long day of hiking at the quick pace, set by backpacking enthusiasts brother in law Dale, and my sister Peggy, we arrived at our camping destination just South of Moore Point. After a bit of bush whacking, in order to find just the right spot, we settled in. Wow, what a place to camp! In the forest, right on a the edge of a little bluff, with a stupendous view of the lake, mountains and peaks. Peggy treated us to a scrumptious homemade camp meal Salmon Curry Couscous. The following day we doctored our sore, blistered feet and continued our journey through this land of wonder ultimately arriving tired yet satisfied at the quaint town of Stehekin.
Crossing log half bridgeIndian Paint BrushPeggy hiking through the ferns.Warning: Don’t Dilly Dally…Oh deer what can the matter be…Diverse vegetation Peggy and Dale making their way across a grassy meadow towards where we will be camping.Dale hikes along historic ruin of rock wall. Peggy and Dale take in the serenity of the moment after a long hot day of backpacking. Dale sets up the backpacking light tentNow this is a view to wake up to…Dale making coffee
Here we are in Stehekin
“Beautiful Lake Chelan! It probably has no equal for beauty and wonderful scenery any where on the habitable glove. Those who come to Chelan are charmed…” – The Chelan Leader 1892Roger, Peggy and Dale on the trail.
It has been said that Lake Chelan’s Lake Shore Trail ranks among the World’s Best, and is certainly a bucket list type of experience. Something to be cherished. Thanks for joining Dale, Peggy and I as we backpacked our way through the wilds of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area while “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure”. Take a moment toLIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE. There is more to this adventure and you don’t want to miss it. Checkout the menu above for other locations to ”find yourself” in, they are all separate sites and thus need to be followed individually. If you like the long sleeve performance shirt in the picture of me and the boat or the face gator with the PBTA insignia then visit SHOP APPAREL and get yours today.
Whistler Canyon Trail near Orville Washington, part of the Pacific Northwest Trail, is actually a 14 mile trail that encompasses an elevation change of 3,776’ and is used by hikers, rock climbers, horse back riders, and just simply nature lovers. This area has all kinds of wildlife such as wild turkey, hawk, eagle, vulture, rattle snake, big horn sheep, mule deer, bear, marmot, coyote, moose, and cougar. There are sweeping vistas of the Okanogan River and Valley, the town of Orville, Osoyoos Lake, and Canadian mountains in the distance.
I bundled three trails in my day hike excursion: Part of the Whistler Canyon Trail, the Frog Pond Trail, and a portion of the Black Diamond Lake Trail.
If you only have a couple hours or so then the Frog Pond Trail might be a fun hike to do. Starting at the Whistler Canyon Trail you climb pretty quickly in elevation then off to your left you will find the sign to the Frog Pond Trail which is a delightful hike through an Ponderosa Pines wooded area with rocky cliffs on both sides. There is a great overlook that is not to be missed with super views of the Okanogan River and Valley. Finally you will arrive at the Frog Pond. When I was there in late August there was no pond only a grassy area surrounded by lovely Aspen, Birch, and Cottonwood Trees. I assume that the “pond” takes on a different look in the Spring.
After enjoying the Frog Pond I rejoined the Whistler Canyon Trail and headed up. It climbs 1000’ in the first two miles. I ventured off to the Black Diamond Lake Trail and went as far as the Overlook that once again had fantastic views, but this time wrapping around a little further north.
I really enjoyed this hike, and hopefully I will get the chance to go back and hike further into this area as the highlands above looked intriguing.
I can testify that there are rattlers in the area. I can testify that there are rattlers in the area. The morning of my hike my Brother-in-Law Dale collected 2 rattlers right outside the garage for me to see. I will post the pics in another post. Frog Pond TrailThe Frog Pond is an enjoyable little hike which is about 2 miles long, takes an hour. It brings you to a delightful little wooded area. There was no pond in August just tree trees and grasses. I am sure it is different in the Spring. From the Whistler Canyon Trail I took the Black Diamond Lake Trail to the Overlook. Not to be missed the views of the Okanogan Tiver and Valley, town, countryside, lake and mountains are great. Overlook View of Orville and Osoyoos Lake
“Leave the road, take the trails.” – Pythagoras
Thanks for joining me “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” in Whistler Canyon. Please give me a thumbs up by doing any or all of the following: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE.
Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure 