>2 miles, 45’ elevation gain, 45 minutes duration, rated Easy
Date 6-17-22
Nice way to be communing with Nature beside a beautiful lake along a ADA access pathway of wild flowers and wonderful trees with views of Rattlesnake Ledge. Well, on the day I was there it was a misty moody Pacific North West day. I only got a fading glimpse of the mountain.
Rattlesnake Lake in the foreground with Rattlesnake Ledge in the background.
There is an exhibition that is interesting if you are so inclined at the end, Cedar River Watershed Education Center.
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Rattlesnake Lake Nature Walk CLICK THE PIC!“So lovely was the loneliness of a wild lake.” – Edgar Allan Poe.
Thanks for joining me at this lovely spot with it’s tranquil lake, the graceful geese, and the misty clouds encapsulating the mountain, all leading to that peaceful easy feel’n that we sometimes seek when the world, with it’s hustle and bustle, gets us down. Nature can take the Humpty Dumpty pieces and put them back together again, something all the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t do. Rattlesnake Lake was a perfect setting for relaxation and reflection, and for me this came right after climbing up to Rattlesnake Ledgewhich was also peaceful, but certainly not easy. I travel all over this great West of ours ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ and striving to bring that inspiration to others. If you mossy on up to the menu you will discover this intention. The menu is categorized mostly by location, but sometimes by activity. While you plan your next escape to Nature also plan out your Adventure Wear. SHOP APPAREL literally and figuratively has you covered, so check it out.The best way to stay connected, so as not to miss out on the next grand hoorah, please LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT and SHARE.
This is a very popular hike an hour out of Seattle, in the North Bend area and although there were hikers it definitely was not crowded like I have heard it is on nice weekends. I hiked it on a Friday and it was a misty, moody Pacific North West type of day.
The Forest was green and lush, the trail was great, but the views from the lower, middle, and upper Rattlesnake Ledge were not to be had on this day. That is too bad as the view was the star of this show. Still standing on the side of a cliff where you see nothing is still sort of exciting when you find yourself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Rattlesnake Ledge Trail CLICK THE PIC!
“There is always an adventure waiting in the woods.” – Katelyn S. Bolds
Thank you for joining me on a ledge starring off into the space. It is hard to have a fear of heights when you are gazing at a blank page. It is a eerie experience to see the rock in front of you and then nothing, just fog. But that is sometimes what it is like when you are ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in the PNW. There are more adventures right around the corner, ( such as the jaunt that I took directly after this hike: Rattlesnake Lake Nature Walk), but be careful on that corner, because although you may not see a huge drop off due to the fog- it certainly doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. Stay with me by doing a couple of things: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go to the menu above you will see that PBTA travels extensively all over this great West of ours. The menu is categorized mostly by location and occasionally by activity. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. My hope is that these description of my adventures will encourage you to find your next adventure soon. Nature can bring Balance into our lives and that is so necessary to our well being, it exercises both body and mind. If you are looking for Adventure Wear, (see my picture), look no further than SHOP APPAREL where you will find my line of top quality hats and shirts with the PBTA logo and mantra.
2 miles, 118′ elevation gain, 1 hour duration, rated Moderate
This wonderful little hike is on Whidbey Island just across a narrow strait from Fidalgo Island. The hike is in the Deception Pass State Park and you will need an Adventure Pass. This hike meanders through a wooded area with gorgeous peak-a-boo views of the water. There are many little offshoot paths to wander around this area. Eventually the path ends up heading to the Deception Pass Bridge that spans the two islands.
Walk in the woods with peak-a-boo views of the strait.
My son Alec and I walked across the Deception Pass Bridge as well as it provided an excellent vantage point with which to view the two islands, the woods, beach and the larger body of water the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
We strolled back along the rocky shoreline admiring the stately evergreens, grayed driftwood, and the blue-green water, where Alec worked on his rock skipping skill.
Alec seeking the perfect skipping rock with the Deception Pass Bridge in the background.
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel North Beach Trail CLICK THE PIC!Good vibes happen on the tides.
Thanks for joining Alec and I on this delightful outing in the Pacific Northwest where we were “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure”. It is a fantastic area. There is more to come regarding our trip to these divine Washington Islands. To be sure not to miss out we invite you to : COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go to the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures all over this great West of ours in search of that Balance that adventurous outings in nature can provide. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Need Adventure Wear? Then checkout SHOP APPAREL where you can stock up on shirts and hats with the PBTA Logo and Mantra.
This is a departure from this Blog’s theme of hiking and other outdoor physical activities in the natural wonder of wilderness, but the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands during our cruise over to San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor was so gorgeous it was an excursion I just had to write about.
My son Alec and I started our day early hopping a Ferry from Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island, to the quaint, charming and enchanting little Seaport of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It was the first ferry ride for Alec and the boat was a great way to travel. We still can’t get over how that many cars can possibly fit on it. The ride over was comfortable and the views of the San Juan Islands were superb.
Approaching Friday Harbor.
I think at some point I saw a magazine article about the tourist spot, Friday Harbor, and had always wanted to check it out. Plus it was a bit of a break in the action from all of the hikes we had been doing. We immersed ourselves in full Tourist Mood. We walked around a little checking out the landing and then had lunch outdoors over looking the harbor. Fine Pacific Northwest seafood was on our menu as I enjoyed a Salmon Reuben and Alec munched down on a Grilled Crab Sandwich. Quote from Alec, “That was scrumptious!”
Alec knuckles the old sea fairing Capt. PNW Native American Totem Arch.
We walked about the small township checking out shops, had some homemade ice cream. We really liked checking out some of the historic old homes during our walk. We topped off our visit with a stop at the Whaling Museum which was interesting before hopping back on the ferry and another scenic voyage back.
Ferry Landing at Friday Harbor. “Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the Self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed.” -Indra Devi
Thanks for joining Alec and I on our excursion. It might not have been an invigorating hike, but it certainly was enjoyable. The natural beauty of the San Juan Islands certainly does provide some of that balance we talk about because it was really something. We will be back to rejuvenating hiking in our next episode of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Washington Hiking so as not to miss anything please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE and FOLLOW. When you go up to the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures all of the West seeking balance through exhilarating experiences in nature, each location and activity is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you want to look good on the trail then checkout SHOP APPAREL for you Adventure Wear needs.
The 2.2 miles loop in Washington Park provides stellar views of Puget Sound and the surrounding San Juan Islands. Besides the water views it has a lush thick forest with big firs, and lots of ferns. It is absolutely beautiful. Still, being someone that wants to get away and really immerse myself into nature I was a little disappointed that I was walking along a single lane roadway with cars going by once in a while. However, about half way through my walk I found the trails and then I was in hog heaven, as this was exactly what I was looking for. Maybe even a bit more as one trail I took me on a tiny trail, slippery with mud, with a steep short grassy hill sloping dramatically to a cliff with a drop either onto rocks far below or into the sound and with no way back. So once it went from sketchy to hair ball, (That is when it also added some scrambling), I said to myself, “this is a view to die for” literally! That is the point were I retraced my steps to a more moderate version on a PNW trail.
I loved the hike on the trails, the loop on the roadway was beautiful as well, in-fact I loved the area so much that after my adventure companion, my son Alec, and I finished we drove the loop as well which was very special too.
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Thanks for coming along with Alec and I on this adventure in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. There are more fun hikes ahead in this beautiful area and beyond. To stayed tuned all you have to do is this: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you explore the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures extensively throughout the West in search of that ever elusive Balance that we seek as an escape from this busy life of ours. I believe profound outings in Nature are the key to this journey. If you like hiking clothing I invite you to checkout my line of Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.
3 miles, 72’ elevation gain, 90 minute duration, rated Easy
My son, Alec, and I joined our host and friend, Margaret, along with her Woman’s Hiking Group, which were nice enough to let us tag along on a nature walk along the waterfront. This spot is known as Guemes Channel Trail. It is quite scenic showing off the gorgeous waterway and some of the captivating San Juan Islands.
The outing stretches from the ‘La Merced’, which is an old sailing ship that nature is in the process of claiming to the West, and to the East is the Ferry Boat Terminal. We parked and started in about the middle. It is a lovely walk along the shore with charming flowering plants and trees.
Part of the outing is through the Ship Harbor Interpretative Preserve. This is an informative nature walk along a path and boardwalk with placards talking about fauna, wildlife, Native Americans as well as early settlers to the area.
Anacortes is so beautiful. What an enchanting place. This was a pleasant and picturesque introduction for Alec and I to Fidalgo Island and Anacortes.
‘La Merced’, an old sailing ship that seems to getting claimed by Nature.
Thought: the tidings Nature brings is lost to us all except those who stand still enough to listen.
Thanks for joining Alec and I along with our host Margaret, with special thanks to the Women’s Hiking Group for letting a couple of guys come along on this pretty Nature Hike. There are plenty more adventures around Anacortes and beyond, so stay with us for more: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu will unlock other special places throughout the West where you might find some respite from the busy, sometimes hectic lives we all live. Each location or activity categorized in the menu is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. For top quality hiking hats and shirts adorned with the Pursuing Balance Through Adventure logo please checkout SHOP APPAREL.
This nature walk, a short hike situated on 37 acres, starts near the Anacortes Yacht Club. The trail meanders through a wooded area leading to Cap Sante, a rocky headland that has wonderful views of Anacortes, the Marina, Fidalgo Bay, the San Juan Islands as well as the Cascade Mountains.
Our friend, a local resident, hiker and lover of nature, Margaret, introduced my son Alec and I to the hike. This outing really gave us a feel for what an enchanting place Anacortes is. From this view point we could take in the town, the lovely boats docked at the Marina, and the bright sparkling blue waters looking out at the captivating San Juan Islands – simply breath taking.
Fidalgo Bay and MarinaLooking out at the San Juan Islands
‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ YouTube Channel. CLICK THE PIC!Let the currents guide your heart.
This scenic little jaunt up to Cap Sante kicked off a week of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’, exploring not only Fidalgo Island, but the neighboring islands as well. It is easy to see how our friends Margaret and her husband Earl fell in love with Anacortes. We appreciate them so much for hosting and sharing this beautiful place with us. This is just the start of our adventure in the NW Corner of the state so stick with Margaret, Alec, and I by doing a few easy things: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. You will find the menu above a great place for inspiration and ideas for your next adventure. The menu is categorized by location and sometimes by activity, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Checkout SHOP APPAREL for all of your adventure wear desires.
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.
Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure 