Little Mountain

I went up into Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon today. This park has all sorts of new trails, due in large part to the work of Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation and the Mount Vernon Trail Builders.  The view this month includes Skagit Valley's tulip fields, which don't look as big from on top of the mountain. The fields can be made out in the picture above, if you squint.

Turtleback Mountain

I went up and over Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island today. Nice to finally check this box, and get such great weather. The Turtleback Mountain Preserve is the product of conservation efforts by a number of preservation and land trust groups. It offers sometimes amazing views of all the San Juan Islands and Canada.

I did the point to point hike/run, which took me up and over the mountain. It wasn't too long--maybe six miles with detours, with over a 1000 feet of climb. There are various lookouts along the way, including a Waldron Island Overlook, Ship Peak, and others. Very runnable, with some steady climbing. I didn't make it to the Turtlehead, which reputedly has great views--save that for next time, I guess.

All the good things you'd expect on Orcas- expansive views, gnarled trees, paths of moss. Much of the trail is abandoned dirt roads. I only saw a couple people along the way, midday, on a Saturday. Very nice. Thanks to Deb for helping me manage the point to point. Thanks to Craig for his great description in his book Dayhiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands.

Breakfast at the New Leaf Cafe at the Outlook Inn. A late lunch at the Madrona. Home by evening. A very nice and needed day on Orcas.

Blanchard Mountain

I found my way on to Blanchard Mountain on Saturday. So out of shape. The weather was perfect--it felt like May up there.  There is new signage.  It seems like every year the trails get a bit more civilized. I noticed white blazes, probably for the Pacific NW Trail. The roads are improved, as the logging companies are doing their business up there right now. It seemed like some of the woods were thinned here and there too.

Sunday found us out in the Skagit valley, checking out the daffodils. Some tulips are even coming up.

Railroad Grade-Park Butte Trail in February (or The Year It Forgot to Snow)

Dean, Dude and I hiked up to Railroad Grade on Saturday. This would usually be a long snowshoe hike this time of year, but this is the year it forgot to snow. The trail was bare or lightly snow-covered on the way up, until we reached the snow bowl area between Park Butte and Railroad Grade. We did fine in trail running shoes.

We hiked up on to the Railroad Grade, which is a long ridge that climbers take to begin the southern ascent of Mount Baker. The views were world class, with the volcano lightly steaming, and 360 degree views of Glacier Peak, Park Butte lookout, and numerous other lesser known peaks (though Dean knows their names). Truly a great day for hiking.

We were able to leave at 10:30 AM from Mount Vernon, and were home before dark. Love that. The Sno-Park is closed, and it doesn't appear that a sno-park pass ($20+) is needed. The area is closed to snowmobiles. Some folks were camping in the bowl, and we saw about 10 people coming off the summit, some 5000 feet above.

Down low, the daffodils are blooming in the Skagit, and I hear rumors that some tulips are already up too. I know ours in the yard are pushing up. Spring is coming early, it seems. Meanwhile, the east coast is snowed in. Weird weather this year.

Fragrance Lake On A Rainy Day

A rainy day is all right sometimes. We're getting flood stage river alerts this weekend, with the Skagit high on the banks. There's no snow in the mountains, as events are being rescheduled and skiers are warned about rocks and brush.

I just had to get out this morning. I've had far too hard a time finding time in the past month or so. Hiking and running trails refreshes the spirit, and gives me that balance I need. I just plod along, checking out things--lichen, a woodpecker, puddles.  Lots of puddle stomping today.  I saw a few runners out there, presumably training for Chuckanut.

The trails are familiar. I can hike them in the dark, probably w/o a light, though I'm sure I'd trip on a rock here or there. My fitness changes, but the trails, not so much. They will dry up later, but the rain makes everything that much more real. 

Best of 2014 Runs

2014 saw a precipitous decline in my running, across the board.  I ran less, I ran shorter distances, and I ran much slower. And this for a guy who was never all that fast to begin with.  

Oh well.  There's always next year. There's also always room to smile, and be thankful for the good things.  I've seen enough life to not take anything for granted, and notice all the moments. There's joy in the little things. And frankly, my running and trail life do not live in a vacuum.  2014 was a terrific year for me, just not so much as a runner. I'll set some goals, and go from there.

So, here's my Best of 2014 Runs/Hikes list, with limited weight given to the rankings, although #1 and #2 were easy choices. 

1.         Kauai

It doesn't get much better than Kauai. We got married, on the north shore, with friends and family watching on. The wedding and reception were simply magical--everything we could want, and the memories are great for everyone. The week after was filled with outdoor adventures, including a five hour boat ride with dolphins and whales along the Na Pali Coast; a helicopter ride to the other 80% of the island, including Waimea Canyon and the Coast; kayaking on the Wailua River with several friends and hiking to waterfalls; surf school in Hanalei; and my daily routine of watching the sun rise over the ocean. So good.

2.         Easy Pass to Colonial Creek

This 25 mile run across the North Cascades National Park is about as good as it gets.  I think this was my fourth time on this point-to-point route, and I struggled.  I rolled my ankle near Fischer Camp, and basically had to walk the last few miles. So worth it, as the natural beauty of this area is heavenly. Thanks Allen and Rich for sticking with me.

 3.         Ptarmigan Ridge

I did a full day hike up Ptarmigan Ridge, up by Mount Baker, all the way to the Portals.  I saw a bear, lots of goats, a variety of birds, glacier green lakes, and more.  The picture above is a bear, though a lanky one which might be mistaken for Bigfoot.  Afterwards, I hung out with friends Dean, Ruth and Al up at Heather Meadows. Got pretty sun burnt that day. 

4.         Cutthroat Pass

I was up on Cutthroat Pass twice this year—once for the Cutthroat Classic trail run, and then a few weeks later with friend Rich.  Great trip-- we took our time exploring the ridges above the pass, getting a good view of the PCT headed north.  I've been on the pass many times, but have never really looked around. Pizza at the end of a long day was well earned.

5.         Boston Fun Run

I ran a short Fun Run in Boston along the Charles River in June with friend John.  Big city running is always a quick way to get a sense for a place. Managed also to catch a great game at Fenway and tour the stadium; have a great Italian meal on the North Side, with canolis; and hiked the Freedom Trail with Deb.

6.         Baker Lake 50k

My favorite ultra was my only ultra for the year.  It was hard.  It took me four hours to get to the turnaround, and I was beat by then.  I turned around immediately, so there could be no doubt I’d bring it home.

7.         Nookachamps Half Marathon

The 2014 edition of this Northwest tradition had some of the worst rain at a race I can remember.  Cold, windy rain. Builds character, I'm told, but at my age, I'm not in need of much.  This race is five minutes from home, and lots of friends show up, so I'll probably keep toeing the line. Nice to see the trumpeter swans, when they're out there.

8.         Run Ridge Run 25k

Great to head up to Canada with Rich and see Gary and Linda and come in last place on this beautiful technical course.  I was just a wreck, tip-toeing over slimy, slick roots. Heavy rain before the race gave way to clear skies.  The course is on the Diez Vista course, with plenty of climb and technical running. Sure to be a good one in years to come.

9.         Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area

I made a few different trips over to the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area with Seth, Rich, Deb, and others.  Near home, this is a great place to find some birds, some nature, and some quiet time. I love this place.

10.       Windhorse Half Marathon

This run benefits Mongolian children.  It is a simple out and back on Bellingham’s Interurban, and it was just the right thing for me on the weekend I did it.

So, as usual, not everything got into the list.  There was our annual full-moon snowshoe trip up to Artist Point, which went great this year, in 40 degree weather.  I ran a few other half marathons, including the Woolley Runs and the Seattle Half Marathon.  I also put in a number of shorter races, including the March Point 10k, Loggerodeo, and the Fall Fowl Run.  Aaron ran the Fowl Run with me, for his first 10k, and placed in his age group. In all, I did at least 12 events, which is my annual goal. I also DNS'ed a few races--I need to stop registering way in advance for races.  I'll probably actually run less events going forward, and focus more on trail time.

I also managed trips to Washington D.C. (work) and San Diego (friends). Deb and I came to call this the summer of baseball, as we attended 8 or so games, including games in San Diego, Boston, Seattle, and even Everett. Even Derek Jeter's last game in Safeco. Maybe next year the Ms can improve a bit, and so can I with this whole running thing. 

OK, on to 2015! Good things, good things.

Seattle Half Marathon

I did the Seattle Half Marathon last Sunday. I have the medal to prove it, and my legs still hurt a bit. I'm downright bothered by the precipitous decline in my amble. Then I'm not bothered.  Then I sign up for another race, after a few weeks of non-training.  It's time to break this vicious cycle of inactivity.

The Half is a first for me, after having done the full a dozen times or so. I liked it. The course feels a little more natural than the full, which carries on over the I-90 Bridge to Mercer Island and back.  As far as half-marathons go, I suppose this course is challenging, with significant hills at Madison Park and through the Arboretum. You still get the I-90 tunnel, views of Lake Washington, the Cascades, the Olympics, and the volcanos. You get it all--it's a good course.

This year's edition featured sub-freezing weather and clear blue skies. Pretty nice to be able to see Mount Baker, my hometown mountain. Not so cool to weather the cold.  I had a bad bronchial cough afterwards, and I may or may not be under the weather this week.

My favorite part of doing the half was to have Deb with me. She got up early with me, we shared the coffee and the drive, and she got me home in one piece. Usually I head down to this on my own.

Next up is Deception Pass.  I'm not ready for that either.

Footnote:  I did the Fowl Run a couple weeks ago. Aaron's first 10k!, and he came in second in his age group. Always a good event.  I'd like to say the training helped me with the Seattle Half, but I'd be lying.  Thank you Skagit Runners!