To the Creek~

Through the big woods~

I'd been wanting to ride down to the creek for a while - it's about a 12-mile round-trip - the shortest way I know to get there.  At the trail-head, I was surprised to find several rigs already there.  The day was overcast & muggy.  Going through what's left of the big woods - is always so pretty.

Coyote Ridge Trail~

We ended up on the Coyote Ridge Trail - overgrown but passable.  All the blow-down had either been cut, or had ended up on the ground - easy to step over.

Candy Flower~

The little tiny Candy Flower was in bloom all along the sides of one of the trails we were on.  The southern trails don't see the use the the one's higher on the mountain do, since the trail-head was moved years ago.

On the trail~

 During last years trail-clearing party - we'd worked on several of these trails & they've stayed in good condition.  Not that there isn't plenty of work that needs doing this year!  Winter weather was harsh, lots of wind & plenty of clearing to be done at the upcoming work party on Sat.  So far, only eleven people have RSVP'd - the usual group of hard-core dedicated riders who continue year after year to make giving back part of their schedule.

Through the young Cedar Trees~

I love the section through the Cedars - it's amazing how much they've grown just since last year.  From what I've been told, the tree farms are planting more Western Red Cedar - they see it as the next big cash crop.  It takes so much longer to grow to any size - that it will be interesting to see how many years these trees stand.  (If I'm around to see it! :-)

At the creek~

We were both glad to get to the creek for our lunch break.  Farah loves standing in the water & yawning :-)  On the rocky shore, I took off my boots & waded in, while Farah again attacked the reed canary grass growing along the shore.  I wonder if I could count her hours?  :-)

Low flow~

The creek is down, no surprise there, amazing how quickly the snow on the Cascades has melted away this year.  The Glaciers were melting off last season, so anything that accumulated this winter, didn't have the usual base.

Our route~

We headed back & only took one wrong turn to find the trail we wanted.  We had to make some time, since we had a Traildusters meeting in Everett.  As we galloped up the hill, a little bunny came out right in front of us!  Farah slowed & put her head down as he hopped as fast as he could for almost 100ft. before turning off on his bunny trail :-)   Back at the bio-fuel field - a large, nice, healthy looking Coyote was standing off in the trees.

Once home, I had just enough time to give Farah an overdue bath!  We were both soaked by the time Butch pulled in the drive! 

Stellar October Day~

 From a foggy morning - by noon the sun had burned through & it was a sparkling, clear afternoon!  Saddling Farah - my new cinch with roller buckles is worth it's weight in gold!  (I'd been fighting with the beta latigo on the Stonewall & brass flat ring on my Bork cinch.)  As with everything I've ordered lately - Distance Depot was out of the 26" length, but it was worth the wait!

Looking through~

As we got up onto the trails, the one that goes south - that had been overgrown with alders, had a two-track through it - trees knocked down.  We took it & got to the gate with the "For Sale" sign.

More trees down~

 On the far side, it was obvious that during the months since we'd been here - plenty has been going on.  Trees that were behind the Native Growth Protection Area had been knocked down.

More clearing~

 Riding down the paved road, we could here construction & the sound of heavy equipment.

New street sign~

 Now we have a "real" name for our trail :-(   People will be living here in no time...  It's the only way we can access the southern trails - not that much is left of them...

Construction Trailer & trucks~

 Continuing on, we made the turn that would take us out & to the power lines.  Once there, I turned south & we took the first trail off to the east.  It was a favorite & we called it;  "Cloverhill" where the creek runs through & used to be stock full of Salmon.

At the very low Little Pilchuck Creek~

 Still water running, but oh so low - especially for the time of year when we used to find it running close to full.  Continuing west, as I expected the trail that turned north - was still blocked.  It did though go further east & we took it almost half a mile, until we reached this blockage.

Blocked Trail~

 We turned back & it is just so beautiful out here!

Trail west back to the power lines

 Such a totally stellar afternoon!

Trail down to the creek~

 Once we were at the creek, it was so low that we followed it a way south to this beautiful area~

More of the creek~

 A little further, the footing got very mucky in a hurry, there were deer prints - sunk deep, so we turned while we could.

Huge trees along the shore

 I enjoyed every foot of this trail - looking for mushrooms, nothing edible - though I have to wonder why when this area is so rich & lush.

Back into the sun~

 On the power lines, we turned south yet again & to the second trail heading east - the one that goes to the large wetland system & another creek crossing.

Second trail heading east~

 I was really surprised to see fresh hoof prints - shod, on this trail.  I have no idea who's found the area, or where they're coming in from?  A few feet from the creek I saw something white on the ground & found this sign in a plastic sleeve.

 Here's the crossing where they've been trying to keep a "bridge" up.  I didn't see any sign of what had been taken out?  The old logs have been there forever & the 4x4 is whats left of the newer bridge that I've never seen in place.  It was obvious that ATV's had been through on the trail.  Trees cut off, branches cut etc. 

No bridge

 Here we took our break, Farah found some nice grass.  Back again to the power lines.  It had taken us a while to do this exploring & the sun was getting low.  I just LOVE the light this time of year!  The long, golden shadows & blue, blue sky.

Looking north~

 We went back the only way we could - through the houses.  One of the men was burning a pile of trash, Farah hardly took any heed.

The For Sale sign from the development side.

 It was a relief to us both to get around the gate & be back in "our" neighborhood!  Big sigh from us both :-)  We went ahead & rode behind the woods that are between this area & our neighborhood.  All was quiet - but for how long?

Farah in the sun~

 I keep thinking about all the natural water in this area.  Just before we left the development a Snohomish County car went driving through.  Private property is just that & can be sold for whatever, but when you see area's that were never a wetland causing all the issues that we have with the Whitehorse Trail, then see rampant development over an area that IS A REAL watershed & headwaters of several creeks - all I can think is why?  Why?

Mt. Pilchuck

 Just the very tip of the mountain was showing over a cap of white clouds!  Just a gorgeous day! 

Hearing the sound of someone mowing, we got to our gate & realized that it was Butch!  Home, mowing & starting the huge yearly project of raking all the leaves from our Big Leaf Maples!   We did get some color, but they're falling fast now!

Out from Home~

Water coming off the big wetland~

I hadn't ridden since the 5th & was having withdrawals!  I'd hoped to have a working saddle by now & of course couldn't get up the get-up & Go to ride in the 90 degree heat.  Since today was supposed to be the cooler of the next couple days, we headed out.  I used Linda's saddle, with the new gel seat pad that I'd picked up.  Even though I could still feel the rock hard seat under it, I was amazed at how well it worked!  Just enough cushion to keep my seat bones from hurting!

At Little Pilchuck Creek

Walking up the big hill to the trails, I felt pretty good.  The neighbor who's yard we ride through had cleared all the way to the fence, wiping out our little trail, empty bags, branches, etc. littered our way.  We got through - but now I need to go visit & see if we'll still have our access.  They are such nice people I'm sure we will.  The afternoon just kept getting warmer...  with the humidly climbing as we entered the woods.  It took a LOT of blackberry cutting!  They've loved the heat & rain from last week - growing feet in days!  I didn't plan to make any time & we couldn't.  At one point, Farah stopped, then turned her head to her side.  I looked down & saw where one vine I'd cut was hanging off the back of the saddle & on her side!  Such a good girl :-)

The hill between us & home~

On our way to the far end of our range - we saw just a tiny break in the bushes that looked like a trail?  We dropped down off the road to take it.  It dropped again, but was passable.  Within just a short way - it came to an abrupt end - at a huge dug hole!  Very strange & I decided that I didn't like being there!  We turned back & Farah leaped the short hills to get us up & out!  I started feeling the heat...  feeling sick...  I'd taken an electrolyte, but after I'd started, not before.  I was drinking my water too, but it wasn't helping.

Pilchuck, dry, dry, dry~

For whatever reason, Farah has gotten scared every time we've come out here...  Since she'd been so good the entire way - it surprised me.  From the clear-cut, looking back at our trail I could feel her heart pounding!  Our trail back, in the shade. looked dark & ominous - but I couldn't see a thing moving.

You can just see a tower up Jim Creek~

She'd walk a step or two, stop - look - then walk again.  Once we were back on the trail, she wanted to trot & I was up for that - more wind in my face.  I let her stop for a couple bites & she settled more, finally hitting her we're out of here walk!  By the time we'd reached the new beaver pond, I had to get off & lay flat.  Just slightly recovered, I remounted & didn't get off again until Pat's when I had gates to open.

Our route~

I continued on foot up the hill & home, so very happy that Butch was ahead of me & took Farah.  Shower & collapse for an hour to recover enough to finish up dinner & sit out to enjoy the evening.  Whatever it is that does this to me - it's not gotten any better, even as my fitness has increased...  No Fun...  I did get an email from Jackie, that the re-furbished Stonewall is on it's way!