Farah needed a ride, I did too! Bracken is the shortest drive - so that's where we went. It's hard - when I have so much to get done - to take the time to ride. The whole while I was thinking about what I should have been doing at home.
Our rig back at the parking area~
Farah was threatening to spook at about anything... Getting ridden once a week is not her thing! I circled her, then had her back up - which is how we took this photo. We have our somewhat standard loop now, through what is usually the muddy trails. Even with all the rain - the trails had held up well.
Dogwood Blooms!
At the shelter, I was surprised to see the dogwood blooming! Either it's a late blooming variety - or the wonderful late summer weather we've been having fooled it into a second bloom.
Mr. Bear~
Distracted... As we headed down the hill toward the river - something big & black caught my eye - moving down the lane about 150ft. ahead of us. For only one second, I thought it was a big dog, but as it ambled along, there was No doubt it was a bear! I pulled Farah up - got out my camera & took the photo. The wind was blowing right at us - I was surprised Farah had very little reaction? What to do? He was between us & where I wanted to go! As he moved forward - we followed - I started singing & by the time we were going past the fence - he had disappeared into the bush.
Such a truly gorgeous day - we went over Tin Bridge. Now, there was a bitter sweet quality to the crossing, the realization that it might be one of our last times across.
No more bales~
This year, the field of my Green Valley was cut & put into the round bales - a change from last year.
Looking at the new section of trail~
The trees that were taken out are still waiting to be hauled away - but the ecology blocks are off to the side, which opens a short section of the trail. As I regretfully resigned my position as the Centennial Trail Coalition Chairman - at the last meeting - I heard of the success of the
History on the Centennial Trail
event. The most common question asked; was when the Whitehorse would
be paved... I had wanted to attend this event - I could have maybe
changed some minds - but life got in the way.
Compaction~
Recently Parks released this information on the trail usage. "Over 12,000 people annually are already enjoying the trail, but when it is fully ready for use the projections expect almost 15 time as many visitors per year. Part of the future of the Whitehorse Trail builds on the expectation that Snohomish County needs to be ready for a 25% growth by 2035. As noted above, the most consistent question from people is about the surfacing plan. The proposal plans to put down a compacted surface adequate for ADA use."
As you can tell from the photo above, compaction for ADA use is hard - very hard - but certainly not as hard as paving.
Soft~
The softer, somewhat sandy surface that was of course my preference - won't happen. We are in desperate need of a BCH person willing to take over as Equestrian Representative for the Coalition. There are also upcoming changes proposed for Lord Hill - & Joan too, is in need of help & support. If no one steps up - the rolling stone - already covered with moss - will be rolling on paving - as more & more of the area's once designated for horses could be lost.
Current surface~
The leaves are already starting to fall & the smell was incredible. The most optimistic plans now are for the Whitehorse to open about this time next year. One of the things I'd hoped to do - was to ride it point-to-point :-(
Farah~
Farah picked up on my melancholy mood... She's watched as we've been cleaning out the barn, all the people who've been visiting - strangers, friends & family. A big change is in the wind for us...
Dripping sap~
We headed back, we got in Farah's little run - but thinking of that Bear - I didn't let her hit her higher speeds. I know I've been bored - if I dare say that! Having ridden these trails for so many years, as riding partners came & went... Looking so forward to seeing fresh areas, riding new places & having new friends to ride with!
Post Script~ This ended up as my last ride as a Washington State resident. It was beautiful, it was fun & it was fitting~
Yesterday, when I was driving west on 84th toward Marysville - I was the only car on the road. That doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to! Up ahead I saw a logging truck start to pull out - loaded with the logs from my trails :-( Sickening...
Today - with higher temperatures on the way - I had to squeak in a ride! Normally, I would have ridden out from home - no longer... Bracken it was~
In the cool of the shade~
Only a couple trailers in the parking area & we ran into two ladies riding out as we were going in. Harvey Creek was our first stop. Even before she took a drink - Farah was yawning :-)
In the creek~
We did what's become our usual circuit that gives us just over ten-miles, unless we take additional detours or short cut back. It was warm, but with a nice breeze that kept the bugs away.
Once a beautiful trail~
Deciding that I'd like some fresh blackberries, we took the hill down through them. No luck there - the weather has been too warm & dry for the second crop. At the bottom, we took what was a beautiful trotting trail - one of the best here, until the tree farm did some logging. The deep track from the Excavator was never repaired.
I've posted photos & information on these two horrible invasive weeds several times. If you take time to read the link - you will understand the importance of eradication. It's such a shame that Snohomish County doesn't have the funds to do more... Private landowners could help - but most don't.
The knot-weed is in full bloom - it's really beautiful stuff - too bad that it's SO invasive! Roots that can go 90 feet deep! What's worse is to see it gaining a foothold - spreading over a larger area of the shoreline than it had even last Summer.
Farah's windswept profile~
Even if it's not one of those long beautiful manes, it is thick!
Farah's sleek profile :-)
We'd already had our lunch at Tin Bridge, I didn't want to go out into
the hot sun for the trek to Cloverdale. There is good news though! Last Sunday, Butch & I stopped to see the progress on trail.
The Whitehorse!
How sweet it was to see the infamous Hole no longer an issue & the trail has been pushed through! Rumor was that the hole was declared a wetland - if you can imagine that! The area was dry. A large amount of work now completed - since I'd been here on July 20th. Post~
The Hole is to the left~
The slight re-route did make a little curve through here. We walked all the way to the end of the work area. The blackberries have again closed off the trail - just since I rode all the way through last June. Post~
Where the trail will continue~
Today, we walked along the river bank so I could take a photo of Tin Bridge. The river is really low, probably near the same as it was this time last year.
Tin Bridge~
We went all the way under the bridge, there was shade there after all! I looked up to see what was left of the branch that had been stuck here since the first time I took Farah over. Post~
Stuck under the bridge~
Just as we were leaving, I looked down & found a large bolt that had fallen off the bridge! It weighed at least 3 lbs! I contemplated trying to fit it in my saddle bag, but instead started carrying it. I love rocks & have quite a collection - always looking down while walking in rocky areas.
My next find!
How could I miss this?! Some type of man-made brick - but the incredibly interesting thing - was the chunks of marble that were embedded in it! I have to wonder where it came from & what it was? I did some checking & was surprised to find that marble has been mined in Washington.
Upstream - North Fork of the Stillaquamish River~
Now, I'm carrying a 10-pound brick & the rod & bolts from the bridge! After we climbed back up, I decided to hide both until Butch & I can hike in on foot to collect them! I want to give the bolt to Parks - the bridge might need it :-)
Upon reading the Herald Article about the continuing work on the Whitehorse Trail near Trafton, I wanted to ride out & see if anything had changed since our last visit. This has been the spot that I've lobbied to get completed since the bridges were decked.
It was a truly beautiful day, warming rapidly - with enough of a breeze to keep it comfortable. Every time we trudge out on the rock, I think of how very nice it will be once the loose rock surface is mitigated. I'm hoping that it will end up being something similar to the surface of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.
Farah halts!
I saw the dust up ahead before Farah did! She was moving right along - looking forward to her grazing time during our lunch break - when she realized something was up.
Punching through!
I can't tell you how excited I was to see this happening! Finally - after what has seemed like a very long wait - work is beginning on the Arlington end of the trail!
Excavator at work~
With trucks coming & going, all the noise & dust, Farah was still Determined to have her lunch! Pulling me right past the huge root balls below & over to the tall grass.
Roots of two huge Big Leaf Maples~
I let her take a few bites, but it wasn't our usual peaceful spot & our presence was slowing the trucks down, so we headed back.
Over Tin Bridge
Once over the bridge, we stopped again - I ate my lunch & Farah was happy to graze before we started back. I was anxious to get home & share with Butch the latest news!
At the project~
It's still pretty strange to have my husband arriving home earlier! It hasn't even been a week & Butch is still adjusting to a 20-min. commute :-) I wanted to see the changes at his project, he wanted to see the changes on the trail! On the way, we stopped at Nutty's Junk Yard Grill for a hamburger & shake!
Rock going down~
We parked at Cloverdale & walked down to the trail. Things were quiet & it was such a nice evening. It's incredible how much rock it's going to take to re-build the old rail bed.
Further on~
The hillside is being graded & all those organics have to be removed.
To 115th~
This work goes as far as 115th, from that point on - there's another year's worth of brush to clear to get to bridge #702.
Very old signage - where the trail will continue~
Below is how this section looked June 3rd of last year.
Trail from 115th - heading to Bridge #702
On that ride, we made it through & across Hwy 530 to the Cicero Bridge that had just been decked & was yet to open. Post~
Where we went through~
The Google Earth image above shows clearly the area of construction now. We walked on through to the end of the grading work. Butch & I had hiked out this way from Arlington, Sept. of last year - Post - wondering how much longer it would be until we'd be able to reach the next of the bridges! (I still remember the day Diane & I were stopped by a bridge with a rotting deck after having fought our way out from Tin Bridge.)
Looking back toward Cloverdale~
At theStillaquamish-Sauk Tourism All Action Team Meeting I
attended this Monday in Oso, I again had the opportunity to talk with
Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Tribal Council Vice Chairman J. Kevin Lenon. Kevin is a fellow
horseman, who's working to establish a parking area at the east end of
the trail. He shared the translation of Whitehorse - so-bali-ahli.
If all goes well, the trail will open March of 2017. Parks has published a Whitehorse Regional Trail project page that will be updated as projects are completed & funded. In the Herald article, there's mention of a bike event already planned. Horsemen in the Darrington/Arlington area are also making plans for a large group ride - to celebrate the trails opening! On the Whitehorse, unlike the Centennial Trail - Equestrians will be able to enjoy the entire 27-mile length! Parking is still a major limiting issue, but plans are still in negotiation for a parking area big enough for trailers at Cemex in Arlington. We hope to leave from Arlington & ride east to the Darrington Rodeo Grounds. Stay tuned!
Cool, cloudy, so a good day to do my due diligence. I drove to Haller Park in Arlington, to ride the north end of the Centennial Trail. I was so mad to see the tagging on the Trestle... All these years, such a beautiful bridge & fools have to deface it. Crazy how much time & effort it costs our hardworking Rangers to clean up after these idiots...
Haller Trestle heading north~
I walked Farah across, there were people playing in the river on both sides & underneath - I saw no point in risking a spook - since she was in one of her moods.
Looking west, Highway 9 crossing the Stillaquamish~
The views from the Trestle are so pretty - any time of year. The flow of the river is down, but not as low as last year.
Looking east at 530 crossing the Stilly~
Farah was acting foolish & I get so tired of it. When she's looking for things to shy at - it's far from relaxing. The sides of the trail were freshly mowed, which made for perfect footing!
Picnic table gone?
I'll have to ask why both the picnic tables are gone from this nice little area. I was disappointed here too, trash lying about. Though it doesn't look it at this point, there's a lot of branches down, some shrubs that could be cut back & some pick up work done. Since tp paper littered the ground - I'd be wearing gloves :-(
What happens to BAD horses!
After Farah refused & threatened to spin at a rock - yes - a rock that she's passed twenty times before... I got off & had her butt moving in a circle so fast that my head was spinning - all the while smacking her with my stick on her rump. As we saw the gate above - I explained that it could happen to her! : -)
Ready to cross Hwy 9
By the time we got up here, she had finally settled down. Even riding defensively - we were making really good time & both of us had a layer of sweat from the humidity.
Over Pilchuck Creek~
Here too, people have found a way to access the creek & were down in the water enjoying the warm, if cloudy afternoon. A few people were out on bikes, most very pleasant - but one guy who thought he had the right-of-way on the bridge. He soon found out that a horse can take up pretty much all of the width if they have a mind to!
Horse path mowed too!
We saw a pile of bear scat in the center of the trail! So, either the bears up at Victoria do come down this far, or there's more in the area near the creek.
At the Barn~
All the beautiful native plants that were put in as part of the landscaping are being overrun by invasive weeds. The little strawberries are working to cover the ground ahead of them! Most of the trees & shrubs are doing fine & we watched Red-winged black birds flying in & out of the cattails.
From the unimproved to the trail~
I rode up the unimproved part of the trail & we stopped for our lunch break. There was plenty of tall grass for Farah to graze on. I thought about riding up to Hwy 9, but it was pretty overgrown. Butch was picking Ben up on his way home from work - so I wanted to get back at a decent time.
Butch has taken on the task of painting new mileage markers on the paved portion of the trail. The design of the stencil is our trail logo - the mileage numbers will be in the center. It's much larger than we'd envisioned - soon we'll be out one evening getting mile #1 positioned & painted. Before that though - the mileage points have to be marked.
Looking south from the barn~
We checked out the barn before we left, just a few cars were in the parking lot.
New sign~
I like the new little sign as you head down the trail - cute & so true! I didn't see one single piece of trash in the area - with trash receptacles provided - there's no excuse.
Coming back to Pilchuck Creek~
The day hadn't gotten any brighter - pretty quiet on the trail for a Friday afternoon. We were moving out about 9-10mph most of the way - so it didn't take long.
Ramp at the Quarry ~
The ramp that is almost between Farah's ears, will be the access from the new parking area to the Whitehorse Trail once it's completed. That will be such a boon to horsemen - since it will have trailer parking spots.
From the Whitehorse Trail~
I rode a way down the Whitehorse from the Arch to see how things were progressing from this angle. It's looking promising!
I thought I'd filmed all the way across - but I goofed up. We were almost across by the time I realized it & turned the camera back on. It still gives you a glimpse of what it's like. I'll have to do another next time.
Google Earth view~
I couldn't resist seeing what our crossing looked like on Google Earth :-) I guess we can walk on water!
Farah enjoys the pasture~
We covered almost 16-miles round-trip. Once home, Farah got a bath & we both got soaked :-) I turned her out & stood there admiring our girl. I'd thought about going to Renegade - it's been a few years - but our weekend is full-up! Hard to believe that the Fourth is almost here!
