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 !

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.

Not so Easy Here

Mink Lake Trail, Olympic National Park

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

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.

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.