Walking the Katwalk

...or at least trying.

What a frustrating weather year this is. Upper elevation trails are still not thawed out. While I always vow that my purpose for a hike is not to get to the end, turn around and return, it would be nice to achieve this one.

I went up Kendall Katwalk on 4th of July weekend but got turned back by a deep waterfall crossing. I didn't feel up to hiking in soggy shoes. This time I figured with a few weeks and warm weather I was bound to have better success.

Saturday I woke up early and had a Birthday Breakfast of Blueberry scones. My favorite indulgence and suitable for this days hike.

I was happy to see several cars when I arrived at the trail head on the north side of Snoqualmie Pass. At least others knew the trail was usable. I entered the woods and immediately encountered blooming Western Coralroot. While the environment was suitable these orchids were not as bountiful as I have encountered elsewhere in the lowlands this Spring.

I hiked along at a good clip, noticing that the Queens Cup was bursting at the seams and spilling down every slope around the trails.

Marsh Marigold liked the wet seepage areas, which were many on the lower portion of the trail.

I made it up to the waterfall crossing in good time and was happy to see usable stones above the waterline. The sky had not yet cleared and low clouds hung in the trees. There was some bird activity and I once again encountered a noisy Gray Jay family.

Between the second and third switchback you cross an old open avalanche slide area. This is Blueberry Heaven, the Holy of Holy.

Last September 27 I posted a report of this hike and showed you the bounty of blueberries I collected. I could have picked more but I was unprepared as far as having a container. I drank down all of my water and used my empty water bottles. I sloshed down from that hike and made my favorite scone recipe. More made it to the freezer and I believe I baked with them until April.

The path to the blueberry patches is along old downed trees. You stand on the logs and pick everything within reach. I am sure one could spend a lot of time in here, but the berries are so plentiful and plump, you get your fill in no time.

From this clearing you can look up and see Kendall peak (on the left) and just make out the green slope of the Kendall Garden (to its right)

The trail does several switchbacks and I crossed and recrossed the same waterfall / creek. I started encountering snow patches at the third switchback. They were well trod but gave that delightful crunchy "squeak scrunch" feel and sound. A treat to my ears anytime, let alone in mid-July.

You exit the timberline and have a last, long straightaway on the trail. Looking back you can see Mt Rainier. This day , in a matter of 10 minutes or so, the clouds burned off, which I captured in pictures.

From here you can see and hear I-90. Even though I had been hiking for 2 hours, it was still deceptively close. The trail winds up the slope following the noses of the foot of the mountains.

The long trial enters the area known as Kendall Garden. A steep open "grassy" slope is alive with plants. I saw Marmots playing around high up the slope. Near my feet carpets of Spreading Phlox spangled with dew

and Red Columbine just starting to bloom. Everywhere there were Heathers of different types. Happily there was little in the way of nasty bugs, only hover flies and a few early butterflies.

I reached the top of the long up trail and rounded what is the north face of Kendall Peak and once again hit frozen stuff. I knew it was the end of my hike, 1/2 mile short of the Katwalk. While this slope clearly had a foot path across it, I didn't feel bold for it. The slope was far too steep, I would estimate 50 degrees? and one slip and I would be gone.

I ate my sandwich, pleased that I had done five miles in 2.75 hours. There was no wind and the weather was perfect, but turn back I must.

I encountered many people on the way up and it was nice chatting with some and being able to give them reports. One large group was heavily laden with camera equipment and all had poles , ice as and even some treads and ropes. I told their leader that I had no doubt that they would have no reason to fear that last snow crossing.

I also met some folks that were horrifically under equipped for such a hike. Clearly not carrying "the 10 essentials" tennis shoes with anklets and a 12 oz bottle of water is not going to get you very far in any hike.

A young boy alerted me to a cool spider. He was chattering away as I approached continued to chatter away as he departed. I stopped at the web he had pointed to and found this interesting spider atop its web in some ferns.

It was in this spot I found Northern Green Bog orchids earlier this month. I was looking at them and I spotted another little spider. I was trying to get a good shot since green on green in green is a tricky combo.

I back dropped the flower with my hand the the little spider immediately took this defensive pose. I am kind of struck that he pretty much echos the size and shape of the blossoms themselves.

So I need to return to this trail in September to restock my freezer with truly wild local blueberries and Huckleberries. I would love to get up to Kendall Gardens a bit later this summer to take in the flowers in their glory.

And actually walk the Katwalk

I just keep missing the moment.

Day Hike: Pacific Crest Trail Snoqualmie Pass

The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Canada to Mexico along the central spine of Washington Oregon and California. There are many people who through-hike the entire length in one go. Some have done it multiple times. This trail, #2000 , is well marked and in major access areas, well maintained. Often there will be excellent signs with mileage information and on weekends, the trails around the Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass area are well traveled. At Snoqualmie Pass the route to the north is more popular and scenic. The hike to the south is a little more easy going.
This hike area is also a good starting point because there is the nice Pancake House at the pass. You can have an early breakfast as an incentive to getting on the road before the crowds.


The trail started near noisy I-90 and by the time you are crossing the open area of the Snoqualmie Ski Area, the sound of cars start to fade. It is a good area for some basic wildflowers. Today there was a surprise, nothing basic about a Ladies Tress Orchid. I found a spot with four little blooms, right by the trail. No more than three inches tall they could be easily overlooked.







There were also tons of Huckleberry plants. Sad to say, however they were a bit on the sour side. I am sure in a week or so they will be excellent. More flavorful were Salmonberry. In the lowlands, Salmonberry don't seem to last long. They are eagerly eaten by Robins and other woodland birds. Here at higher elevation it seemed the berries were perhaps a bit larger and sweeter. They still don't match the blueberries I found last month.


Entering the woods at the top of the ski slope the trail becomes more or less level. The footing was a challenge due to many roots and rocks in the
and there was a fair amount of step up and down using roots and rocks as steps. The understory of the woods was filled with ferns, notably Deer Fern and there was a lot of Devils Club, Oplopanax horridum. Devils Club is a wicked plant. The stout stems and huge 15 inch leaves are lined with long sharp thorns. These thorns were used by native peoples as sewing needles and fish snags. Right now the Devils Club are in berry and their large red clusters really stand out in the green understory.



There were many large trees that had come down during windstorms and they give rise to nurse logs. Nurse log is an important part of the ecology. It holds soil and water. Seeds that land upon it often take root and flourish, gaining advantage of better light over plants on the ground. It is not unusual to see trees with roots that flair showing how they grew around an old, long gone log. The logs provide nutrients to the plants that grow on them.


In this environment many trees sport shelf fungus. These ear like projections are sometimes called Turkey Tails. They served as way markers and practice targets for native peoples. There is some mention that they were ground to powder and used as a body deodorant as well. Here you can see the brackets on the end of a cut log and see the moss and plants that have taken up residence on the log itself.







Further along I saw something I have never seen in such abundance. "Chicken of the Woods" Sulphur Bracket Fungus growing up the side of a large snag. I knew they were edible and I went up for a close look. Yes they were tender and fresh, not hard and woody like the bracket. Happily, three elected to jump into my pack for a ride to the big city.




















At about two miles you come to Lodge Lake. Quiet and pretty I was disappointed there were no birds in residence. I was surprised at the lack of mosquitoes or flies and perhaps that accounts for the lack of frog noise too.












On this easy going trail the distance passes quickly and a handy signpost reading 2 1/2 mile lets you decide if you are content with a 5 mile hike or if you wish to press on. I definitely note that there are a lot of interesting plants that would make this a great hike in June as soon as the snows are melted.



I was able to appreciate the beautiful view to the north as I was coming down the ski slope. In the early morning hours the lights and clouds did not provide such a good vantage.





Returning home I invited the Sulfurs to have a bath in olive oil and butter. They had a little photo op on the plate before joining some Lemon Papperadelle pasta and cream. The map they are looking at is the Delorme I mentioned in my Friday entry. They are looking at the pages for the Snoqualmie Pass area. I guess they were astounded how far they went in life.

They were very tasty and had a light lemony / meaty flavor

a bit like chicken