27 April 2017

Hiking to Marmot Pass

Marmot Pass Trail, Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Here I am. FINALLY! On the trail to Marmot Pass. All the Olympics hiking books are raving about this Hike. Seabury Blair Jr. says: The Hike to Marmot Pass is the champagne walk of the Northeastern Olympics. And Craig Romano: If for some terrible reason you are only allowed one hike in the Olympics in your lifetime, this should be it. I love the name: MARMOT PASS. They say, though, that Marmots are not up there any more. Does not take the Charm from the Name. 1067 meters (3500 feet) Climb. Very long climb. The Agreement IS: Minimal stopping. Minimal photoing. Until we reach the Pass. Otherwise... we will never get there. On our way back, photoing is allowed. As Much as we Wish. So, Here It Is: MARMOT PASS !

Marmot Pass: Into the sub-alpine world

Marmot Pass: Chamerions. Pinkishly edging.

Marmot Pass: Closer look

Marmot Pass: Craggy Cliffs. Up there with the Clouds.

Marmot Pass: Sub-alpine. Meadows. Cedars. Fir Peaks.

Marmot Pass: Flowering

Marmot Pass: A glance behind my back

Marmot Pass: In stride. Almost There!

Marmot Pass: There! Olympic Mountains are smiling. Welcome to our World!

Marmot Pass: Holding their own. Where Avalanches reign.

Marmot Pass: Meadowy Softness

Marmot Pass: Embraced

Marmot Pass: In Equilibrium

Marmot Pass: On Descent

Marmot Pass: Look Down. Warmth. Beaming.

Marmot Pass: Over There. Their Home.

Marmot Pass: Farewell, Mountains!

Marmot Pass: Back in the Forest. Mossy Decorum.

Marmot Pass: Lush. Green.

Marmot Pass: And the Trail

Marmot Pass: And the Water. Streaming.

Marmot Pass: Big Quilcene joins the Play

Marmot Pass: Joyfully splashing

Marmot Pass: And Singing

Marmot Pass: And Sparkling. Into the Late Afternoon.





14 April 2017

A Butterfly on Early Spring Day

Fells Reservation, Massachusetts

Mourning Cloak is looping in the air. Transmitting the joyful feeling of an early, warm and sunny, spring day. Lands on a near-by log. Capturing the whole attention onto herself. For a Moment. And then flies away.

Fells: Lands on a near-by log

Fells: Capturing the whole attention

Fells: Mimicking artfully



11 April 2017

Not so Easy Here

Mink Lake Trail, Olympic National Park

These Fallen Trees! Removing them from the trail here is a whole different proposition.

Mink Lake Trail: Unblocked

Mink Lake Trail: A hiker's toolkit won't do here

Mink Lake Trail: Done! Passable!

Mink Lake Trail: Who is the bypasser?


08 April 2017

With a Little Help...

Fells Reservation, Massachusetts

This fallen tree has been blocking the trail for over a month. Nobody from the DCR crew seems to be passing by. Everybody is using a self-made bypass. Looking each day more and more as an official trail. And something about that does not feel right...? Pjer always carries a hiker's toolkit with all the useful and other tools. He has it ALL. Shall we do it? Need I ask? He is working. I am photoing. Cut. Remove. Cut. Remove... DONE! Passable! Plants can now recover what belongs to them.

Fells: Blocked Trail. Shall we do it? Need I ask?

Fells: Removing

Fells: Cutting

Fells: Removing

Fells: Cutting

Fells: Done! Passable!






04 April 2017

First Sign of Spring

Fells Reservation, Massachusetts

Fells is drowned in water. Vernal Pools popping around. The Trails are streaming. Gurgling Choruses permeate the space. The snow is melting. First Sign of Spring.

Fells: Melting

Fells: Soaking




Fells: Streaming

Fells: Cascading

Fells: Gliding

Fells: Dripping

Fells: Overflowing

Fells: Floating

Fells: Meditating





















Fells: Detouring

Fells: The trail. First sign of Spring.