It's been a year or two since we've done our favorite summer hike. Four years, in fact, I see upon consulting my records! Goodness, where does the time go? We were in Quebec one of those years. In Oregon one of the others, I believe. Still, hard to believe that last time we went (for Daisy's birthday) she was only turning 13! A baby!
We had the sense to go up really early—while it was still dark. It's the only way to get a parking place by the trailhead nowadays! And it was soooo hot at the end of July, this was really the only way to make hiking bearable. We were in the shade most of the time and it was very pleasant!
Daisy, Junie, Goldie, and Teddy were the kids who wanted to come this year. They are a good group! No complainers among them. In fact, they encouraged me cheerfully on when I was VERY TIRED. (I was getting sick or something, because I had a terrible stomachache for the first half of the hike! Then it got gradually better, thankfully!)
We've seen frost in this meadow before. Not this time! I don't think it got below 65 or 70º even before the sun was up!
I loved the look of the sun gradually lighting up those mountains
Elephant-head! I think this was the very last stem of it.
There were hardly any columbines blooming either. But these few were pretty.
A sampling of wildflowers:
Yay! Made it to the overlook! This is as far as we went this time. I used to always bring little snacks to eat when we got to this point, but I didn't this year, and I think everyone was a little disappointed. Next time!
Daisy trying to ignore Junie
Lake Catherine
Junie held out her hand to this poor chipmunk and made him think she had some food for him! He was sadly disappointed! (But I'm sure if she had, she would give.)
Heading back down
In case you're worried—they did, in fact, drop Daisy after this shot was taken
They seem to get sillier as they get more awake
The usual picture-taking rock. But very silly.
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