Sourdough Mountain

 

Craig and I went up and over Sourdough Mountain on Saturday. It is a personal favorite for each of us. Part of the North Cascades National Park. Hard—over 5000 feet of climbing in about 6 miles.  The first mile or two is really a grind.  But at about mile 3, you cross a mountain creek, the trees thin, and soon you’re on an open mountainside, with wildflowers all around, and crisp views of the aquamarine Diablo Lake, below. That's Diablo, above.

I like the workout. You know its going to be a huff. Everything feels earned, and then the payoff is worth the effort, especially on a clear day like we had.

On top, there are 360 degree views of the North Cascades---the Picketts, Hozomeen and Desolation, Jack Mountain, Colonial, and countless peaks I can’t name. Craig could. He writes guidebooks and outdoors articles, and is really knowledgeable in all things trail. Check out his 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, which includes Sourdough. A beautiful book, among many he has written. So, besides  chatting, he also pointed out a number of things I didn’t know. E.g. Pierce Mountain is not named after Franklin Pierce, but rather an early surveyor.  

360 degrees doesn't really capture it. That's just two dimensions, this so much more. Unobsructed views says it a bit better.

The day was perfect. HD skies for miles and miles. It seems the snowfields melted earlier this year—disturbing, with all the news of climate change. On the day, I saw a marmot, a couple toads and a turkey.

We went down the Pierce Mountain side.  I’ve done this once before. On a July in Saturday, we saw no one. No one. The Pierce Mountain campsite looked like a great place to spend a quiet night.

On the way down, we spied the Desolation Mountain Lookout, far up Ross Lake, sun reflecting off its roof. The Pierce Mountain trail is a bit rough and overgrown, especially through a burn section. It'd be tough after a recent rain. Most notable to me was the lack of water—dry times, all the way back to the car. The beauty of going down this side was the slower pitch through open field of heather, with long views. I expected to see a bear or two, but alas. Navigation wasn't an issue as cairns were well placed, but I had a bit more trouble once, when there was more snow. Once you reach the trees, the trail is readily identifiable, but before that, caution is warranted, as it wouldn't be too hard to drift away from the trail.

A whole loop can been done, but we opted to park a car at Ross Dam, and one at Diablo, saving us the final 5 or 6 miles. We still had a well-earned 15 miles for the day. My right foot wasn’t all that cooperative, rolling as it does once or twice on the way down. 

A magnificent day.

 

Great Sedro-Woolley Foot Race

I'm not sure how many times I've done this race, but I found a ribbon last week from 2003. I'm guessing that's the first time, and then probably two out of every three years since then.

This year's event was a bit overcast. Excellent running weather, as a finisher exclaimed to me afterwards. As usual, I did the 5.17 mile circuit, as opposed to the 2 miler. Lots of characters dressed up in red, white, and blue. Streets lined with chairs, for the subsequent parade.

I wasn't too happy with my running, but I know I've been slower. 52:20 or so, so 10 minutes per mile, more or less. My lower back is tight, perhaps from years of sitting in a chair at the office, perhaps due to core and weight. I also started a ways back, while conversing with friends, which made for a scramble through strollers and little kids as the race took off.

This is a really fun race, for the smiles and enthusiasm everyone brings. A democratic affair in a republican town, with persons of all fitness levels representing. Great to see all my friends from Skagit Runners, and great appreciation for the volunteers of Woolley, who make this happen, year in, year out.

Happy 4th of July!