Snoqualmie Point Trail

A favorite close-to-city trail, which winds through the woods along a ridgeline and feels more foresty than other trails near Seattle. There are moments where the trees open up, framing views of the Snoqualmie River valley on the north side of the ridge and Mount Rainier on the south side, and moments when the trees enclose you in a mossy, ferny, quiet space. First photo is from a hike in April, after a welcome late-spring snow dump. The snow turned slushy by mid-morning, but it's a pleasure to slog through Gore-Tex-defeating wet snow on a sunny spring day when you're on your way back down the trail with dry shoes and socks back in the car. Second photo is from February, when ice crystals like blades of grass formed at the side of the trail where water collects. Each little stone and piece of soil had its own miniature column of ice suspending it, and the whole phenomenon was completely camouflaged until you stepped to the side of the trail and heard the most delicate crunching sound. I also like this trail because it's a little quieter and less traveled than others on the I-90 corridor. Much as I enjoy my fellow humans in general, any hike on an empty trail is delicious.

Picnic Point, Lynnwood WA

There are a lot of spots around Seattle where little streams enter Puget Sound, including this one. Sketch is from a photo I took in December; air temps in the high 20's, windy, generally a toe-freezer, and not a sea-run cutthroat to be found. I tried to capture the wintry blue-ness. Apparently in the winter the fish are either in or out, and they were out. Repeat a few times in January and February. Now I've seen this water in different moods and different tides, and watched this stream meet the currents of the Sound in different conditions. Now the fickle Northwest spring advances, the stream will swell, and the cutthroat will be in.

Trout-icure

Spring! Sandal weather's almost here!