Old Sauk Trail hike

Postponed on Father's Day due to weather, we went hiking this Saturday. The weather was questionable in the morning, but I convinced the family it wouldn't rain. We went to the Old Sauk River trail just south of Darrington off Mountain Loop Highway. Most of the mountain trails were damaged in the severe weather last fall and winter, but this is a lowland trail which is still in good condition. Many of the trails we have enjoyed in the last two years are now closed and inaccessible for various storm related reasons. The Sauk River has caused some minor modifications in the trail's alignment in recent years. The trail leads towards the river from the trailhead and then follows the river with many river viewing locations along the way. Drew led most of the way excitedly calling out every time he could see the river. The boys tried salmonberries for the first time. They liked the orange berries and pointed out all the ripe ones along the trail. We found a geocache hidden in a stump just off the trail. We found a spot that had access down to the rivers edge to stop for a snack. While we were stopped a group of kayakers went by on the river. We also saw a pair of Harlequin ducks swimming and feeding nearby. It turned out to be a beautiful day with sun shining brightly on the water most of the hike. We stopped at the local grocery store in Darrington for a post hike ice cream snack on the way home. Click on picture below to see more.

Old Sauk Trail, June 23, 2007

Alta Lake Camping Trip

It's been awhile since I've posted, so I must not have done anything significant since I finished our master bathroom. Last weekend, Garrett and I went camping with Garrett's best friend, Kaelen, and his dad Mike at Alta Lake State Park (approx. 30 miles north of Chelan in central Washington). It was my first time visiting this park and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a very nice park and there was hardly anyone staying there last weekend. The highlight of the trip was hiking to the top of a bluff overlooking the lake. The top of the bluff is approximately 1000 feet above the campground. We capped off the weekend by watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3 in Leavenworth on the way home. We had so much fun, that we have decided to make it a yearly trip. Click on the picture below to see more photos.

Alta Lake, June 2007