6 miles, 500’ elevation gain, >3 hour duration, rated Easy
Date: 7-11-22
I explored 4 miles of this hike with family friend Margaret. We trekked through a valley of sage brush dotted rolling hills, some with rugged rock outcroppings and the occasional conifer. Even though it was July it has been a cooler and wetter season, so the hills were much more green than usual for this time of year. Meadows of desert flowers put forth their tender shoots, glorious blossoms of wild flowers such as Mariposa Lilies, a couple varieties of Daisies, and Lupin colorfully adorned our journey. The birds sang, butterflies danced from pedal to pedal, the bees were busy buzzing, as a gentle breeze teased the tussles of wild grasses.
Carter Mountain Wildlife Unit is just south of Tonasket, Washington. It is made up of more than 2,240 acres. The preserve supports wildlife such as golden eagle, black bear, mule deer, cougar, and bobcat. We discovered what we believe to be bear scat on the path so stay aware.
Summer has finally arrived. The sun beating down, the rather hot temperatures along with the lack of any shade was a bit of a challenge for Margaret visiting from Anacortes, where it remains cool pretty much all of the time. So we cut the hike back a bit. When hiking in Summer be sure to wear light colors, a hat, and bring plenty of water. We were prepared In this way, so other than being a little red in the face Margaret soldiered on, and enjoyed her East of the Cascades nature hike through the scrub brush and lilies.
Bear ScatMariposa Lily
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel, click the pic. “No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of no where.” – Sheryl Crowe
Thanks for accompanying Margaret and I into the Carter Mountain Wildlife Preserve. We hope that you will continue on with us ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ which you can easily do by performing some easy tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. Like the Wildflowers that surrounded us on our hike, Nature reminds us no matter how crazy our lives might get, life still finds a way. Wildflowers get trampled, scorched by heat and drought in the Summer, and frost and cold in the Winter, but find a way to Spring back. If you go out and smell the wildflowers, and experience the Adventure of Nature then life will Balance. The menu above is a treasure chest of ideas for your next adventure. The menu is categorized by area and activity, each is a separate website and thus need to be FOLLOWED independently. SHOP APPAREL is the PBTA spot for great adventure wear. Check it out!
2 miles, 200’ elevation gain, 1 hour duration, rated Easy
Date: 6-4-22
Into the Olympic Rainforest we go. What an exciting and alive place. There was so much expectation on the part of my 18 year old son, Alec, and myself of beauty and adventure in this, the rainiest place on earth. We planned on being here a week and to see as much as we could.
We were actually pretty lucky, I feel, as for the rainiest place on earth, there was only one day, which came near the end of our rainforest adventure, that it really rained, and I mean really rained on us. The rest of our time we experienced some sun, some dry cloudy skies and we also experienced mizzle, which NW Washington folks described to us as a mixture of mist and drizzle, okay… Back to the luck part. Many times right after we finished an outdoors adventure and loaded up the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and started heading for our next destination in the Olympic National Park it would rain pretty good. Also, during the night the rain would come down after we were tucked away warm and dry in the rig for the night. So other than that one day, where we got soaked, we were indeed pretty lucky.
Located in the most NW corner of the US Lower 48 States the 922,650 acre Olympic National Park has multiple regions: Rugged Coastline, Alpine Forest, Rainforest, and the drier East side.
We made a couple stops on our way to gain more knowledge of what we were getting ourselves into by heading for the Olympic National Forest Wilderness Information Center near Port Angeles, Washington. We stopped and checked out a large old growth cedar tree transformed by Northwest Coast Tribes into a big Totem Pole.
When we arrived at the Olympic National Forest Wilderness Information Center they had a display of an old wooden cabin that might be typical of this area. Inside the center we found some interesting displays before we spoke to a Ranger whom helped us consider how best to spend this Father/Son – HS Grad time before before Alec leaves for college.
After getting some great ideas regarding our Olympic National Forest Journey, we decided to get in a quick hike, which conveniently began right at the center. The Peabody Creek Trail really shows right off the bat how spectacular and unusual the rain forest can be.
As we started our trek it was so unreal to see there was so much life that it was practically spilling out all over us. The green so vibrant, the damp ground and vegetation so fresh, so earthy. So much life that it was actually growing on top of each other. During our time in this National Park we saw many examples of new trees growing right out of, or on top of a dead one. Also, some trees were just so bizarre in the shapes and the strange ways that they grow. Then there is the mud… the Peabody Creek Trail was not too bad, you could maneuver around it pretty handily, but later we decided to try out the Peabody Creek Loop as well and that was more remote, more wild, and a lot more muddy. Finally we thought better of it when there was a portion that was not only all mud with a few roots, but steep. Adding the portion that we did of Peabody Creek Loop pretty much doubled our little outing. We would have been scrambling up this mud hill, perhaps on hands and knees, so we head back from which we had come.
A great start to this adventure of crazy trees, vines, plants, and green so much green, oh… and a big slug.
“The early summer light steps birdlike down the east slope of Green Mountain, and stirs low mists long the river into flight.” – Tim McNulty
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Peabody Trail Episode CLICK THE PIC!
Alec and I are so excited to bring to you the start of our journey into Olympic National Park. It is stunningly beautiful and a world so different from the desert on the ocean, which is our home of Southern California. “Seems It never rains in Southern California, seems I’ve often heard that kind of talk before, it never rains in California, but girl don’t they warn ya’ it pours, man it pours”, are famous lyrics from Albert Hammond. The song is about the struggle of someone coming to Hollywood to try and hit the big time, but at the same time if you take it more literally it does describe the weather in SoCal. It hardly every rains, which is evident by the horrible drought we have been experiencing for a couple decades, so when it does rain it comes all at once and neither the dry, hard ground or the infrastructure is ready for it and we get flooding. Conversely, in the rainforest “the rainiest place on earth” it mostly rains lightly, but pretty darn often, and if it isn’t raining it is drizzle, or mist, what a local referred to as ”mizzle”. What all that rain brings is an enchanting, bewitching place full of spectacle and wonder, but be forewarned bring your rain gear. Stick with Alec and I on this Vivid Green Escape from reality into the rainforest and you can do that easy enough by doing these simple steps: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go to the menu above you will see that PBTA travels extensively throughout these great Western States while ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in hopes to bring to you ideas and inspiration of how to take the ho hum, busy, work-a-day life that we all exist in, and balance that out with the beauty, and the magnificence of nature, Nature Heals. Each location or activity on the menu represents a different website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my hat in the picture than get one for yourself at SHOP APPAREL.
This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is a large 5,500 acre site. After making our way up a 4×4 trail we parked at Chopaka Lake one of the most famous fly fishing lakes in the lower 48. Actor Tom Skerritt, to name one celebrity, has flown in and fished here.
This hike certainly shows off the beauty of the area. Everything was so fresh and green. Along our route we enjoyed big fir trees, spring wildflowers, as well as nice lake views. The later part of the trek we made our way up some animal trails and even did a bit of bushwhacking to a favorite cliffside perch with stunning views of the valley, river and Palmer Lake.
A Big Foot Documentary was filmed in this area using infrared cameras in search of the elusive creature. They didn’t not find any proof of Sasquatch, and for that matter either did we.
If you make it up to the Similkameen River Valley Overlook mind you step as the grassy hill is deceptive as to just how steep it is and what lies just beyond that grass, which is nothing because it is a sheer cliff. The view is stunning, taking in the surrounding mountains and hills, the valley, the river and Palmer Lake. When you lookout towards the left, from that vantage point, you are looking at Canada. It is a splendid spot to sit, have a snack and enjoy one another’s company.
On the way back we stopped at the famous fly fishing Chopaka Lake and Dale cast his fly out into the lake in hopes of a trout. We saw a nice one in the shallows, but I guess he was not hungry.
Peggy sets the pace, and Marina strikes a pose.
Local Guides sister Peggy and husband Dale cliffside
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Click the Pic!In life, just like on the trail, don’t forget to slow down and take in the view.
Thanks to our local guides Dale and sister Peggy. Nick, Marina, Alec and I took a moment to take the pack off, both literally and figuratively, as we were ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. Stay with us for more adventures, it is easy to do so by fulfilling a couple easy steps: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. PBTA travels extensively throughout the West. If you go to the menu above it may give you some ideas for an adventure of your own. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you are in need of adventure wear, such as that displayed in the pictures by some of our wonderful action models, then I invite you to go to SHOP APPAREL.
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.)
My sister Peggy, brother-in-law Dale and I started out heading for a snowy summit to try out new crampons in the snow. Turns out the hike we chose had much more snow then we expected and would have called for snowshoes. So we opted for nearby choice #2.
Highland’s Sno-Park is a cross country ski trail in a delightful wooded area, with some peak-a-boo vistas of the surrounding countryside, hills, and distant mountains.
Highland Sno-Park was a nice warm up for future wintery hikes. It was wonderful to be out together in the crisp, fresh 26 degree air, listen to the wind in the tree tops, and to hear the fluffy snow crackle with each fallen foot step.
4WD is recommended for country roads during the winter
“What good is the warmth of Summer without the cold of Winter to give it sweetness” John Steinbeck
Thanks for joining Dale, Peggy, and I as we went on a snowy winter trek ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Stick with us like the little boy who was dared to lick the frozen flag pole bythe these means: FOLLOW, COMMENT, LIKE, and SHARE. The Menu above will give you ideas for your next outing in nature to free yourself, if only for awhile, to delight in nature, to dwell on adventure, and revel in the moment of the journey. Each Menu location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. What do you think of the new PBTA Beanie keeping me warm? You can find it at SHOP APPAREL.
This isn’t just any cabin and this isn’t just any lake. So the title “Cabin on a Lake“ is pretty simple, but perhaps poetic just like this enchanting little cabin at Lake Chelan on the edge of Wilderness.
This charming little cabin with it’s exquisite gardens is a life time labor of love. As we rode by, on the bikes we rented, we just had to stop and complement the owner, a retiree who was up on a high ladder putting wood shingles on his Hansel and Gretel cabin in the woods. I have to say he is a master at what he has created not only for himself and his lovely wife, but for every passerby to ogle over. There are plenty of beautiful cabins in the Town of Stehekin, but this quaint cabin is really special. The detail and love he has put into this home in this peaceful and tranquil setting is something movies are made of. The garden is magical, and of course the view of the lake is one of a kind.
We almost feel guilty taking him away from his work, and I was thinking that during the Summer this place has to be almost a tourist attraction and maybe he doesn’t want to be bothered. But he was eager to talk, as was his bride of many years. He loved to speak about the passion of his project, the town, and the area. In fact, we finally had to cut it off and bid them farewell, as we had a Ferry to catch back to the real world. So we said bon voyage to this bewitching ”Cabin on the Lake” and this captivating fairy tale.
What a lovely Gingerbread House on the edge of wilderness on a lake of dreams.
“This cabin in the woods sets a romantic scene. A vision of contentment a heavenly dream. To be near to nature, the sights and the sounds. Feelings of peacefulness and serenity surrounds. I hear the hoot of an owl, the cry of a fox at night. Birds singing their chorus, in mornings first light.” – Deborah EvansMy sister Peggy and I enjoying Stehekin
Thanks for joining Dale, Peggy and I as we checked out things to do in Stehekin and discovered this gem, “Cabin on a Lake” while “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE. The menu has many adventures that you might want to review in your own search for balance. Each is a separate site and should be FOLLOWED independently. Like Peggy’s headband, my shirt, or beanie? They are available at SHOP APPAREL.
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 