Mt. Pilchuck Outlook, Oct. 20, 1991 - Connie, Butch, Abby & Jentry |
Not daunted, knowing that we were closer to the top than to the bottom -- we continued on! When we looked up at the outlook on the top & saw the size of the boulders that we'd have to scramble over, Jentry was Not happy! The gaps between the Boulders were very wide & Very deep in many places! Fine for people, but not for small Beagle dogs!
Never a bunch of quitters -- we began the scramble! Finally -- Jentry & Butch came up with the idea of putting Abby on Jentry's back. Jentry -- (Who has hiked since she was able to walk -- cutting her teeth in the Colorado high country.) was undaunted. Abby was Determined! She put her paws over Jentry's shoulder, crouched low to Jentry's back & hung on. We used to say that she was the most "defiant" Beagle in the world & there was no way she wasn't going!
Guy, Michael & Jeremy |
Butch hiked up again with my brother Jim & our niece Nora in July of 1996, but I haven't been up higher than the parking area since.
Just so you don't think that I've given up hiking -- I've hiked up to the summit of Mt. Sanitas outside Boulder, with my brother - twice now. Most recently Aug. of last year. I knew that Mt. Philchuck was roughly a "Mile-High". I also know that Denver is called the "Mile-High City". It's fun to look up at the summit of Mt. Philchuck & think that Boulder's elevation is roughly equivalent.
Boulder from Mt. Sanitas - Aug. 22, 2010 |
One mile = 5280 ft.
Mt. Pilchuck - 5340 ft.
Granite Falls - 391
Elevation gain - 2166
Mt. Sanitas - 6863 ft.
Boulder, CO - 5430
Elevation gain - 1357
Interesting to compare -- certainly more challenging for me to climb Mt. Sanitas, short, steep climb & I'm not used the elevation. But Mt. Pilchuck offers a longer climb & more gain!
Stunning view.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't start the hike until after 3 p.m. Came down by the light of my cell phone! Was worth it!
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