First hike of 2021

I am hugely grateful to be 51 and happily climbing mountains.

St. Helens foothills

Forty years later it’s amazing both that there is so much life here, and that I can still see the devastating effects of the volcanic eruption.

Forest Park is teeming with fields of flowers and so many bright colours!

We would be hiking the Cherry Orchard Trail that also begins near Lyle, and I knew ahead of time that I would like it.

I was deep in the forest at this point and had no panoramic views.

We want to do things for the first time together. Is that sappy?

That lake – a beautiful little 2.5 acre lake – was the busiest mountain lake I have ever seen.