The sun was shining early this morning. I'd hoped to ride with a friend, but the timing didn't work out. I'd been wanting to check out the Cloverdale area on the Whitehorse Trail for a while, so figured today would work.
Notice anything?
Catching up on a few things at home, I left a little later than I'd originally planned. With Farah unloaded, I reached up for her headstall to realize - to my dismay - that I'd left it at home! No extra in the tack room of the trailer. I always figure that if someone breaks in, I don't want to lose anything good. Only the second time I've ever made that mistake! The day was darkening, rain on the way - so no time to go back home for it...
Lots a knots!
Fine then! I had two lead ropes & she's been doing so well in her hackamore - maybe she wouldn't notice the difference :-) We started out & she was a perfect angel. A nice trot, little canter - all was well. I had to put the knots in the lead ropes to keep them from dangling almost to the ground.
By the time we were at Tin Bridge, it was starting to mist :-) I say mist - really - rain! I'd promised Farah her lunch there - the grass is usually growing lush & long by March.
Dead trees now falling~
It was sad to see the bleached bones of the old dead trees, now on the ground from the wind & wet. The cattle were in their pasture, otherwise it was very quiet.
Checking out the cattle!
Even after her times at Cow Penning - Farah still does not like cattle! Something that we'll work on one of these days when the opportunity presents itself. She was really enjoying the freedom of the halter & being so darn good! I hardly had to touch the reins all the way.
Rain moves in~
Seeing the rain move in over Mt. Washington, I was really, really sorry that I'd left my rain jacket in the Bronco. I'd recently washed it, waterproofed it & yet didn't put it on the back of the saddle like I almost always do!
Trail Closed!
I had not been informed that this section was officially closed. I knew it was being surveyed & the Japanese Knotweed sprayed. It's a horrible invasive & takes a while to eradicate.
Survey Marker~
The surveyors have been busy in this area, with the original railroad ballast removed in places & adjoining property owners encroaching on the trail easements - the set-backs have been ongoing & numerous. I would love to see it open - now that the bridges are decked. At least as far as the Hwy 530 - where the safest way to cross it is still under discussion.
We were getting wet & turned back, picking up the pace. Then - before I knew it - Farah was running away with me! I asked her to slow - which was about all I could do, but no - she went into overdrive! The wind caught under the bill on my helmet, it blew back far enough that the chin strap was choking me. I was pulling back as hard as I could - tried to turn her head, but with the halter - that was all in vane. Her attitude was; "Sit down, hang on & let me REALLY show you what I can do!" :-) As she slowed, which I knew she would - she was roundly cussed out! When I downloaded our ride, her top speed showed at 26.8 - definitely fast!
Dean wanted me to wait to mid-March for this years vaccinations. Once home, I called & got her on his schedule for Monday. Usually I dread that - but this time I'm kind of looking forward to it :-)
After the grand-kids left with their parents, Butch & I decided to go ahead & hike the Whitehorse Trail. We started at Haller Park & walked over the Trestle. Looking up - we were thrilled to see the Osprey now in place!
Osprey sits atop the Haller Trestle
Many thanks to Sarah Arney, for spearheading the effort, the Arlington Arts Council & our own Centennial Trail Coalition for contributing the funds to help with the purchase & mounting for the installation of the beautiful Osprey. What a wonderful work by artist Dan Brown that is now permanently perched on top of the Haller Trestle!
We headed to Resilience Arch & admired the new bricks that are much higher quality with deep etching that will hold up to the elements. From there - we were on the ballast rock of the old rail line.
On the Trail~
Such an absolutely gorgeous day - walking along the river was so enjoyable. We were about a half-mile out when we saw bikes coming toward us! At first I thought it had to be horsemen - I'd Never seen bikes on this trail! Too much heavy rock! But no - it was indeed two men on bikes!
All the way from Darrington!
I am literally 100% sure that these two are the first to have traveled this trail point-to-point! With only three bridges left to be decked, they had those to detour around on the highway - which was challenging. Otherwise - it was the rock that made the journey a long one!
Slide Area
Our next surprise - the area of trail that was impacted by the small mud slide, was completely cleared away! (Using the word small, in comparison to the horrible slide that is foremost in our memories.) Not at all small when it comes to the man hours that it took to clear all the broken trees & mud away. Many thanks to Snohomish County Parks & our hard working Park Rangers!
Views of the Stillaquamish~
Throughout this part of the trail, it's easy to take your time, take in the fresh air & appreciate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Almost to Cloverdale~
Butch wanted to continue on to Cloverdale & see the new survey work. I'm hopeful this is preliminary in preparation for the repair & completion of this section, so critical to everyone looking forward to enjoying the west portion near Arlington.
Interior of the barn roof~
We met the property managers of this amazing place, originally part of the tree farm properties. Then operated as a nursery - at least the year I first went through this area. It was a thrill to be invited in to see it. The owner has future plans to restore the barn which already sports a new roof!
Up in the loft - was the surprise of the day :-) Just too crazy fun & can you imagine the sound - especially with the wood acoustics of the barn? The remaining old barns in this area are such an asset to our rapidly urbanizing landscape. Private property owners wise enough to know this & preserve them - deserve our thanks.
North Fork of the Stillaquamish - toward Arlington
Beautiful from either direction~
In sight of the Arch~
I didn't have my GPS, so still need to check my records, but should have the distance recorded from a ride. Round-trip was probably about 7-miles :-) About half way back I thought of a quote from "A Knights Tale" - Chaucer:
"To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who
has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on."
My feet were speaking volumes by the time we got back to the park :-)
