Category Archives: Washington

Reflection on Lake

Relaxing Snoqualmie Pass out and Back, August 2025

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All good plans are made to be changed and this is one of those. Originally we had planned to hike from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass. However, when we arrived in Seattle, WA from Green Bay, WI the weather forecast called for severe thunderstorms for Seattle and even worse where we planned to hike. Our good sense prevailed over our manly egos and we stayed in the hotel for two days and modified our plan. On this trip were Liam, Carl, Ed, and John

August 16, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 7

Spent last night in a motel. Got up, had motel breakfast and drove an hour plus to hit the trail at 8:45. There was light rain so we started in rain jackets which we removed in 30 minutes when the rain ended. Since it was a Saturday there were lots of day hikers. The Kendall Katwalk presented itself a little after noon, shrouded in clouds and fog just like the previous 2 times I crossed the Katwalk. Our campsite was at Ridge Lake, not the best of sites, but OK. Liam found two trees for his hammock.

August 17, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 10.6 Cumulative Miles: 17.6

It was chilly enough last night that I had to put on socks. We hit the trail at 7:30 under an overcast sky which cleared around noon. The trail had a lot of up and down, fortunately, the last 1.5 miles into camp was all downhill. Ed was out of gas when he and I arrived to camp. John and Liam had tents up and Liam was in his hammock.

We camped on the peninsula of Spectacle Lake where there was a pit toilet. It was quite a climb to get to it but not much of a view. The trail from the cutoff to the Lake was not maintained and there were several areas where one needed to “climb down” the trail. In camp that evening and after considerable discussion we agreed to head back tomorrow instead of taking a zero day. The plan is to only hike about 3 miles tomorrow but to take some of the elevation gain from the last day.

August 18, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 3 Cumulative Miles: 20.3

We knew today was going to be a short day so we didn’t leave camp until 10:30. We camped near an unnamed pond. The trail was all uphill which didn’t prevent us from getting into camp at 1:00 where I spent a relaxing afternoon reading and napping.

August 19, 2025 Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 24.6

We again camped at Ridge Lake – in almost the same tent sites as the first day. Mostly uphill but still got into camp at 2:00. Both Carl and Liam set up their hammocks. Lots of time to share drinks and stories at dinner. We are all looking forward to the Kendall Katwalk and views, which are said to be gorgeous. There was a cool breeze so we all got our puffies out.

August 20, 2025 Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 31.6

Almost all downhill – we were done at 10:30

Mt Adams-August 2000

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Mt Adams-A quick backpacking trip at the conclusion of a business trip.

Backpackers: Ed Tucker, Carl Fisher

August 18, 2000 – Ed Tucker and I are doing a trail at the base of Mt Adams.  We got started at 9:30 am with overcast 50 degree weather.  We hiked 7 miles to Horseshoe Meadows where we set up camp and used a piece of plastic to rig a vestibule in front of our tent.  At 7:30 pm the skies cleared and opened up with the setting sun lighting up Mt. Adams.  This was our first view all day and it was beautiful.  We have seen lots of wildflowers, purple Lupine, red Indian Paint Brush, wild daisys, and a brilliant yellow flower.  The wet cold chills us to the bone.

August 19, 2000 –  It was a good thing we pitched the plastic tarp because it rained or misted all night long.  We decided to day hike today (instead of trekking) in case the weather doesn’t break we can hike out tomorrow.  We hiked to the lava flow – a total of 5 miles one way – and they were less than impressive (maybe it is the weather).  We wore our rainsuits for the entire day.  Weirdest thing – last night when we went to bed the nearby stream was flowing strongly and this morning there was no water.  We had to hike an additional mile to get water.  We assumed that with temp’s in the 40’s at our elevation caused the glaciers higher up on the mountain to freeze and stop the flow.

August 20, 2000 – We woke to a bright blue sky, 37 degrees and no wind and decided to do something different.  We followed a stream out of Horseshoe Meadow upstream to 6800 feet until we reached “The Bumper”.  We kept going higher until we reached some snow fields where we had lunch warming ourselves in the balmy temperatures on the south facing hill.  It is much drier today and my boots, which leaked like a sieve yesterday, are finally starting to dry out.  We have actually seen more women than men hiking the trails.   After lunch we hiked toward Looking Glass Lake.

August 21, 2000 – An uneventful, downhill hike back to the car.