Category: Weather

Upper Hoh Lake Trail

Upper Hoh Lake Trail

The Hoh Lake Trail runs from the Hoh River Trail (the primary access to those climbing Mt Olympus) up past Hoh Lake and on to connect with the High Divide loop at Bogachiel Pass (Olympic National Park). We were camped in Seven Lakes Basin and took a day trip down to Hoh Lake. This was the trail near the top. I was concerned about the clouds … often an indication that the weather is changing … but it stayed clear for the rest of our hike.

On the return hike, I was rounding a rock spur and found myself about 6 feet from a black bear. We were both startled … I’m not sure who was more surprised. But the bear had quicker reflexes and was off the trail and down in the brush and trees before I could even think about raising my camera.

(another image from my Archive folder)

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Above the Clouds — for a while

Above the Clouds

Another image from near the Deer Park Campground in Olympic National Park. This shows the clouds in the valleys looking south into the center of the park. Somewhere in there is the Graywolf River valley and the valleys of Cameron Creek and Grand Creek. When you see weather like this in the Olympics, enjoy the sun while you can. Once the sun rises high enough to warm the valley air, the cloud layer rises. Then you have the tops of the cloud layer joining you and covering you. See below.

Cloud moving up from below

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Fog Coming In

Fog Coming In

This photo was taken on my way up Mt Ellinor (see the previous post) on a day when the weather was deteriorating rapidly. It was a good hike anyway. The funny thing that happened was that when I returned to my car, I found that someone had decorated it with a bagel stuck on my radio antenna. (see below)

And no, I didn’t eat the bagel. (I was a little surprised that it wasn’t attacked by crows or ravens.

Bagel on Antenna

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Clouds and Mt Stuart

Clouds moving in
Mt Stuart with Clouds Moving In

I was on top of the South Summit of Mt Engels when I took these photos. Mt Stuart is the highest non-volcanic peak in Washington State and provides some challenging climbs in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area of the Central Cascades. I prefer not having to carry a lot of ropes and hardware … I took a climbing course long ago, but mostly to know enough to keep myself out of harm’s way.

I’ve always liked the clouds that were coming in. A storm moving through. I was glad it was a day hike.

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Mist in the High Country

Mist in the High Country

This is cloud/fog coming up the Hoh River valley and across the High Divide in the Olympic National Park. In the winter the snow cover is extensive … helping to reduce the amount of understory. This is near Cat Basin, close to Heart Lake … and sits about 5000′ (1524 m). It is beautiful country and one of the most heavily visited areas in the park. (unlike the previous post) Reservations are required for backcountry visitors … the loop runs up the Sol Duc river valley, then climbs up to the high country, along a ridge, then drops back down to the valley and the return to the trailhead.

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