Tag Archives: Trail

North Bend, Peak Bagging

Rattlesnake Ledge Trail

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RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN SCENIC AREA

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

6 miles, 2040′ elevation, 1470’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 6-17-22

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’. 

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Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
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“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.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Quiet Walk Through a Dormant Land

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SINLAHEIKEN WILDLIFE AREA

OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS

LOOMIS, WASHINGTON

Activity: Day Hike

Date: December 10, 2020

Just 10 miles from the Canadian Boarder in the Okanogan Region lies the Sinlahekin Valley and this wild area.  The Sinlahekin Natural Area is 14,000 acres that supports a diverse population of birds including grouse and pheasant and it’s several small lakes are teeming with water fowl and rainbow trout.  The area also is home to deer and other animals.  

Those visiting Sinlahekin Natural Area can enjoy wooded areas with Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, as well as various deciduous trees, rolling hills of grassland, surrounded by the steep hills and mountainsides.  There are 8 miles of trail, the Dave Brittell Memorial Trail.   

In the summer this place would have blue skies reflecting on it’s lakes with steep hills and mountains as a back drop.  In the spring it would be green and  flowering.  Fall would be delightful with many deciduous trees bringing color to the landscape, and in winter it would be a wonderland.

I walked 8 miles of this area in between seasons.  Not Autumn, as all the leaves had fallen leaving a earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves hanging in the air. Not winter per se, as there was only a few patches of crisp snow here and there.  The low level clouds hung over the valley fogging the appearance of all but the nearest hills or mountain sides at their foot.  

So my venture was a quiet walk through a dormant land, void of all sound other than the Sinlahekin Creek.  No animals, the lakes were frozen so no jumping fish, or flocks of geese.  I did see a bald eagle investigating a small open water section that was not frozen, obviously searching for his next meal.  Mine was a nice hike in the country, and a time for reflection, a silent time for ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’.

The frozen lake and the low hung clouds let you know that winter had arrive at Sinlahekin.
“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” -Henry David Thoreau

One thing that is great about nature is how it whispers to you while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. On quiet frozen days like this everything seems asleep and at peace, and the experience really sets you at ease which is exactly what the doctor ordered to bring balance from the stress of our real lives, with do this -do that, be here- be there, rush around, work work work. It is nice to have nature heal us with a quiet walk through a dormant land. For more healing through nature and profound experiences of adventure please: COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE and FOLLOW. Please support this site by supporting yourself with a shirt, hat or a beanie that carries the important message for you and all lovers of nature: ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ at SHOP APPAREL. To help you find a special place to find that inner peace checkout the menu to see all the many locations that PBTA ventures to. Keep in mind that each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Highland’s Sno Park

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OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

NEAR TONASKET, WASHINGTON

5.3 miles, 708’ elevation change, duration 2.5 hours, rated Moderate

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 by the 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.

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Whistler Canyon Trail

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WHISTLER CANYON-FROG POND-BLACK DIAMOND LAKE TRAILS

Orville, Washington

Activity: Day Hike

Distance: 9 miles, over 1500’ elevation change, duration 5 hours, rated Moderate

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 Trail
The 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.