Sky High~

2802' - Above it all~

A long time coming - how I'd missed being up here~  Our route to Stimson Hill goes up Mt. Washington.  With the heavy logging & truck traffic, it's been impossible to get even close during the week.  It's fun to have a partner for this ride - since it's long & difficult.

Charlotte had the time - so we made a plan to meet at the MHC & just see how far we could get.  It was a hazy, cool morning & as usual we were the  only ones there.  It was super to see Fancy again!  The mares recognized each other & Farah was So happy to have Fancy as her companion for the day!

The End of the Trail!

We took the usual forested trail out, the one that has always gone past the quarry & still did my last visit here in February.  Before we'd even reached the spot where the trail turned to go by - the trail disappeared.

Clear-cut & Mt. Washington

 Slash from the logging everywhere & deep in spots.  No sign of where the trail had been.

New View of the Quarry

We did some hunting - I got off & looked for a way around - we came out to a newly made & rocked road.   Now, I knew we would be able to get out.  The way around the end of the gate on the power line - is now treacherous, narrower than ever & getting soft - with a nasty drop off the edge if a hoof were to miss the footing :-(  Past that!

On our Way!

Gunfire alerted us to a group firing off high powered rifles - luckily at a shot block - which put the four of us on edge.  Both mares just dug in - attacking the first levels of the climb with minimal effort.

Mt. Rainier on the Skyline~

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day, moderate temperature, light breeze & at least the haze wasn't so thick that we couldn't see Mt. Rainier.

Charlotte & Fancy - from Mt. Washington

We took a short break after the first long, hard pull~

Connie & Farah, Mt. Pilchuck to the left~

I'd told Charlotte that I could find my way over to Stimson & that was our goal, which put a lot more climbing ahead of us...

View south from Barbara's Bench~

Before long we reached just over 2,000 ft. at Barbara's Bench.  We both had to climb up & get photos!

Toward the North with Victoria in the distance~

It's such a unique feeling - to be able to see over to where I ride so often & admire it's rise above the surrounding country.  From this viewpoint - 500 ft. higher than the highest point there.  We were still going, up & up.  Soon coming to an intersection that gave us a choice of up or down.

From Stimson Hill - Whitehorse~

At ten-miles, we decided to go on another mile - then if there were no views, turn back.  About half-way up this hard pull, here came two hikers with walking sticks.  They stopped, raised the sticks over their heads - Farah instantly 180'ed :-)  They explained that they'd hiked in off Cedarvale Loop.  We went for the views!  I did this ride for the first time New Years Eve of 2013, but we'd taken a lower fork.

The Whitehorse Trail from 2802 ft.

 What a thrill to recognize the Whitehorse Trail, my Green Valley & Cloverdale Farm below us!  The line of trees in the upper third, of the right side of the photo above, is the trail.   We stopped just short of the break-spot where Joyce & I had rested another time (post) we went exploring this far - right at the apex of the climb. 

Victoria's peak~

Heading back, we were on foot, talking away - when I realized that we'd taken a wrong turn!  Joyce & I had gone that way in 2013, exploring the lower road, but it wouldn't get us back to the MHC.  Luckily, I caught my mistake before we'd gone too far out of our way.  I programed my Garmin to take us back to start - & it did a fine job of telling us when a turn was coming up.  Once back, it read;  Returned to start :-)

Our route~

It was, as it always is - an impressive ride.   Twenty-two miles, total elevation gain of 4,131 ft. & high point at 2,802.  Moving time;  5hrs. 40 min.  Total time 6 hrs. 40 min.  Average moving speed 3.9 mph.  Both mares impressed us as much as the ride.  Farah learned so much from going out with an experienced, professional, exceptional mare.  I wish we had the opportunity more often.  She was so good all day, until on the way back, when she shied twice - while we were doing a good trot.  I should have turned her back etc., but by then - it was almost 6 p.m. & we all had dinner waiting!

Dreamin'

I wanted to ride today & would have ridden with someone - if anyone - had wanted to ride with me.  But since I'd been wanting to get out from home all week - today looked perfect.  I love what trails we have left, especially so - when the landscape is coming alive with buds & blooms!  The birds were singing & flirting between the trees :-)  I must have been Dreamin'  though - since after the last big wind storm, I should have realized that the chances of getting to where I wanted to go - were - well, slim... 

The first one was hung up~

 No problem getting past the first one, nicely hung up between two trees.  Farah is still in her non-stop spring cycle - we had a couple discussions by the time we'd reached this point.  I've never seen things so wet & the trails were slippery too. 

Trail to the development gate~

 I didn't plan to go this way anyhow, it would have been jump-able.  Instead we went the usual way that takes us to the power lines.

Not looking good~

 I love this section of trail, we usually trot or gallop it.  Today though - the view was not good...  Farah easily jumped the first smaller one, but the next was huge!

Big Tree~

 Not only wide, but long - the root ball on the far side of the creek & wet area.  The top, hung up on the hillside & continuing up the hill unbroken.  I decided to try to clear enough limbs that it might be possible to take Farah up the hill, maybe find a place to get over the trees, then drop back down.  I'd done a lot of tossing, got up the hill quiet a way - just to realize that the ground was so soft, wet & littered with debris that it just wasn't work the risk.  As I was jumping back down - I slipped & caught myself just before making contact with the sharp end of a broken off limb.  Stupid & getting impaled would not have been fun :-(

Here you can tell there was a gap between the two trees~

 Farah was perfectly happy to be grazing, while I worked!  The grass is always greener don't you know?  I think she could have jumped them, but a mistake might have resulted in a hoof going between the two trees.  Instead, we did the wise thing & turned back.

I finally got bucking rolls last week from Gary Winckler.  Butch installed them & they work great!  No one had the black leather needed for the base of the rolls, but it will darken over time.  I kind of like the little bit of accent. 

Can't identify this one?

 There were many of the above Shrooms, sprouting up all around the area near the Cottonwoods. 

Salmonberry~

 The salmonberry blooms were glistening with rain drops...  The air was so full of negative ions - smelling so fresh, clean & springlike!

What is this?

 I don't care how many things you desensitize a horse to, there's always something :-)  We were coming down the edge of our neighbor's yard, on our little trail, when Farah stopped cold to check out the yellow float.  The wind had blown it from the yard, over to the trail.

Rain over Mt. Pilchuck

The sun was out most of our ride, it felt so warm!  But every now & then, a big dark cloud would roll overhead, the temperature would drop & we were drizzled on more than once.  One of our shorter rides, but the weatherman is promising that next week we'll enjoy days & days of sunshine & warmer temperatures!  Overdue I say!

Snowline~

Fresh snowline below Three Fingers~

Saturday - a truly stellar day - again, Murphy's Law struck!  I had a commitment to attend a trail planning meeting in Darrington.  The Forgotten Children's Fund fundraiser was held at Rhodes River Ranch on the same day.  BCH held a pack clinic & a Draft Horse pulling contest was scheduled to end the day.   We drove up & met Linda, who also wanted to attend the meeting.  We had lunch, then Linda & I drove on to Darrington. Butch took in the Clinic & wrangled us a reservation for dinner - we had perfect seats for the Draft Pull! 

Yesterday, I took Farah for her vaccinations.  When I went up this morning - she greeted me with her head over the stall door, ready to go.  Once we'd made the drive & I was in the saddle, I could tell she was a little under the weather.   After her little run-away episode last week, it was sort of pleasant to have her so mellow today :-) 

Cow Parsnip

 We left about noon, sun breaks & a wind that came & went - again making maybe 50 degrees feel much colder.  I even wore my gloves.  So nice to see the tinge of light green, buds bursting open, Salmonberry blooming & even the Cow Parsnip!

What's that sound~

 It was really quiet, the sound of the wind of course, but that was about it.  We'd seen three rigs in the parking lot when we left, plus several cars parked off to the side.  Even so, we only saw one hiker with his dog when we were trotting up the hill to the top.

View from the climb~

 We took our usual lunch break at the Monument.  Farah's neck is stiff, when she tried to lower her head to graze, she pawed in frustration - but finally, taking it slow - began grazing.

Mt. Washington

 I know that logging is an industry here & I was riding on a tree farm after all, but I have to say;  watching as the DNR land on Mt. Washington is clear-cut, makes me sick.  Such destruction of habitat...  Sad for the wildlife;  Coyotes, Bobcats, Deer, all the animals that appreciated that habitat.  Many streams flow down the mountain & from what I've seen, only a narrow buffer along the bank is left.  It doesn't take long for the wind to take those trees down too - leaving the streams without shade.

Having ridden to the top & beyond - I know first hand that there were some beautiful older stands of timber.  Now, it looks as though there will be no trees at all... 

Mt. Pilchuck

 I love this view of Mt. Pilchuck, looking at the mountain's north side.  Our view from home is of the west side, which presents itself as more of a peak.

Heading back down~

We did no galloping today, no head shaking, no spooking or displeased neck curls...  What we did do, was quite a bit of slow for Farah trotting :-)  She wanted lots of loves & I provided lots of peppermint treats :-)  Once home, she did go down for a roll, but it wasn't with her usual gusto.  A friend gave me a box of apples, she enjoyed a couple with her dinner :-)

Chronicle of Change~

New baby lambs at the neighbors :-)

We left from home.  One of those changeable, very early March days that brings sunshine & showers - within minutes of each other!  Both of us happy to be out - I love the fresh air March brings.

Looking southeast~

Living in Colorado, as a kid - I will never, no matter how hard I try, get the love of higher places & elevations out of my system :-)  I have to stop & admire the views each & every time I'm here.  Just a few miles away now, is heavy traffic - congestion & all the things that we moved away from the cities to avoid over 25-years ago now...

A new house under construction~

Through the last of the remaining buffer - we can see the new homes being built - to move yet more people into this area. 

Farah listens~

 Farah stopped to listen to what was going on.  Even she, knows that changes have happened & more occurring daily - those trails over there - are gone.

Cathedral Grove~

Our Cathedral Grove, is now coming to ruin.  With all the woods being cut nearby - the winds are moving across areas of the forest where they were blocked before.  Of course, when - not if - this property sells, I'm sure they'll be cut & everything bulldozed.

Almost to the power lines~

Here too, the strong wind storms of the last year did their damage to the young alder.  Alder can't take the winds anyway & had their start years ago at the edge of the cleared area along the power lines.  Still - I've never seen so many broken off.

Flowering Indian Plum

The flowering plum are just one of my very favorites!  White lace against the green mossy background of the woods.  Decoration for the wedding of Spring!

Looking south along the power lines~

On a clear day - I can see Mt. Rainier from here - today - the clouds were moving in quickly & the wind felt chill.  I went from a long sleeved shirt to my jacket about here.

Development

We did take the trail that used to form one of our loops to check on the houses.  I didn't feel like riding through today.  People are moving in almost faster than the homes can be completed.  Can you just imagine? 

Salmonberry~

The Salmonberry add their bright pink to a now gray day!  Buds everywhere! 

Mt. Pilchuck

The clear-cut logging going on behind Granite Falls has destroyed the view of the lower hills below Mt. Pilchuck.  Makes me sad to see - but the almighty $ rules.

My view to the South~

I haven't looked up the name of this peak - but it's a stunner!  This view gives you an idea of the roll of the Cascade foothills.  Another piece of forested property was cleared in the last week or so.  The noise from Hwy 92 & Getchell can now be heard from most of the valley.

Hence, the title of this post - as I look back on my rides, the change has crept in so fast!  I wish we'd had blogs way back when we first moved here & started riding in the hills behind us.  I do have a few pictures, but wish I'd had the foresight to take more, with a better camera.  The last, large open space - so diverse - is under it's final siege & I'm the unhappy witness to it :-(

Farah was just great today - we enjoyed each others company.  I let her stop to eat several times - after all - when faced with a smorgasbord, that's what I'd want to do :-)

Simply Stupid~

A week ago Monday I came down with the start of a cold.  I'd worn myself down driving 2,800 + in nine-days.  Then, volunteered at the Tractor Supply Grand-opening in Monroe for the BCH - exposing myself to the public.  I tripled up on my Del-Immune & by the end of the week, thought I had it kicked.  Not...  Woke this Monday with so much congestion in my lungs that I called my GP & went in!  He was shocked & they entered me as a new patient - I hadn't been in since 2012.  Thankfully my lungs were clear - he told me to stop at the pharmacy for sudafed (yes I had to sign) & Ibuprofen. 

Well on our way~

I did all that!  Waking today - to sunshine coming in the windows & with the congestion mostly gone - I decided that of course I could ride!  It had been over a week & that is way too long!  Saddling up took more effort than I expected - Farah is finally starting to shed, but we got it done!

Farah's worried look~

Not wanting to overdo - I thought that our short loop would be plenty.  I dressed in warm pants & a thermal shirt.  First, I was cold, chilled but OK.  Farah wanted to do some trotting & by the time we'd reached the power lines, I was hot!  Way too hot & sweating under the thermal pants.  I wasn't feeling very good either...  Farah could tell & had a worried look...

Looking south~

Oh well, I'm stubborn & could see no good reason that we couldn't continue on - go up to the apex of the loop & start back.  As we broke to the open, our friend the Red-Tail Hawk, flew away from the woods & perched on one of the towers.  As I tried to get the photo, I about fell off Farah - feeling very dizzy.  I was so thrilled that he sat long enough for me to get his picture!

Red-Tail Hawk

 Then the cold chills hit.  I'd gone from sweating to freezing in minutes.  Still stupidly stubborn, we continued on to the top of our loop, where I dismounted.  I decided the only thing to do - would be walk & try to warm up.  I walked & Farah followed, putting her nose in the middle of my back to herd me along.  The walking did help, but I knew I'd have to remount to make any time getting back home.

Washington Red Cedar draped in moss~

By the time we were back at the new Beaver Pond, I was felt like I was paying double for my bullheadedness.  I had to remount to get through where the bulldozer had torn things up - Farah was sinking in 6".  The vertigo was terrible, every step she took I felt like I was going to fall off...  Soon though - we were back at the top of last hill & it was a relief to be able to walk again.

Pilchuck covered with fresh snow~

The extra time I'm taking with Farah to work on our calmness really helped today.  She only got excited twice & when I backed her & asked for her head to go down - she responded & again walked like a lady.

Once home, I could hardly unsaddle.  By the time Butch arrived - it didn't take him long to realize what I'd done :-(   Especially since I spent the evening violently ill...  Today - I'm going to take it easy!  Easy I say!

Calmness~

Mt. Pilchuck~

It was truly a stellar day!  My last day on the road & first day home yesterday - with the dark gray skies & pouring rain...  I was beginning to wonder if I had imagined how much I love this state?  But today - Washington redeemed itself!

Here we are :-)

New goals for a brand new year.  I had plenty of time driving across a few of our big, wide, western states to mull over where I want to go & what I want to do with my mare.  I think I've mentioned before, it's time to take a few steps back - both physically & mentally.  We've done a lot & there's a lot more I want to do.

The beautiful woods~

What we're going to work on is calmness.  I've been a type A for so long - always, it seems, on the run & I know Farah has picked up on this.  She on the other hand, is a type A mare :-)  Both of us have the issue & I hope to change the dynamic.  Maybe my upcoming birthday has something to do with this too - but most of the riders I know, put safety first when riding.  As I started breaking safety down into components - it seemed to me that calmness should be the first thing that could contribute greatly to safe riding.

Young buck?

We'd just gotten up onto the power lines when we spotted this beautiful young guy.  Pretty sure he's a he - because he was very gutsy!  The doe was long gone, but he stuck around & seemed fascinated by us.

Ice on the Wetland

I've been told that it was bitter cold while I was gone & the remaining ice layer proved that.  Every time Farah's energy escalated, we'd stop - stand - then move on.  Several times, both of us took a deep breath.  Once when she tried to burst up the hill & buck - I really put some grab on the hackamore.  Worked Great!  We walked most of the ride.

Heading back~

Going home, is usually one of her issues.  If we turn onto a different trail, that's fine - but if we're on the way home, she gets excited & used to chomp her bit.  Now that the bit is gone - the energy is still there.  I never like it - especially when we're on the paving & a steep downhill ahead of us.

Before I dismounted~

I dismounted, we've been practicing backing up three steps then dropping her head, leaving it there then moving forward.  She will usually try to drag me along if I'm on foot.  That's going to stop.  Today - the minute she moved ahead I stopped her, backed her & asked her to drop her head.  I think we probably did that about ten times on our way to Pat's.  Through Pat's yard & both gates, more of the same.  By the time we were heading up our hill, she was walking like a lady.

Three Fingers~

The days are already so much longer!  We were home just after 4 p.m. & there was still plenty of daylight left.  I finished chores & looked up to see the glow on the big mountain.  I walked up behind the barn & took the photo above.  Almost a new year rite of passage!  Oh so good to be home & So good to be back in the saddle!  A saddle that works at that!