Field Trip 1 - Seattle Naturalists Intro Natural World Course - Carkeek Park
Thu, Apr 20, 2017
A lovely evening ramble around Carkeek with 10 aspiring naturalists.
A lovely evening ramble around Carkeek with 10 aspiring naturalists.
Great midweek hike to the ledge with beautiful views, then up to East Peak for a nice spring conditioning hike.
A rainbow, a really big north to south rainbow. And a little rain for a most pleasant walk along the lake and a quiet neighborhood.
We went up Mazama Ridge yesterday, instead of to the ridge east of Castle as had been planned, due to wet avalanche potential.
A rare visit to Falls Creek Falls and majestic winter views of Willis Wall on the northern aspect of Mount Rainier.
A very enjoyable scramble on a nice day with good views. Students did well with challenging conditions (lots of unconsolidated snow on steep terrain).
Knowing that cornices would prevent us from reaching the summit, we embarked on this trip anyway, knowing that the lake and ridge run are gorgeous.
Weather dry, cool underneath canopy of trees, trail moist but not muddy/wet, did not scramble to base of falls. HAZARD: a washout about 20 yards across was almost impossible to traverse.
Seattle Student Scramble of Sat. April 15, 2017: The snow continues to accumulate and remains unconsolidated/posthole-y. Accordingly, this was a snowshoe trip all the way from bottom to top to bottom again. There was no snow suitable for practicing ice ax arrest, glissade, or ice ax in-balance snow travel, but the students gained considerable experience with placing their snowshoes on steep terrain and were able to ably perform the snowshoe equivalent of plunge-stepping. This trip qualifies for a Snow graduation credit for all students. Thanks to Bill Borom for the assistant lead!
A successful hike to Lake 22 despite compact snow on the trail.
A pleasant snowshoe trip up the Jolly Mountain Rd to Sasse Ridge.
Another great Seattle Stairways walk, our 11th of 25 planned. Left TH at 6pm and returned at 8:30 with headlamps including a bathroom break in Northgate Mall. Top feature was the Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel behind the Mall. And, as ever, the company. Quieter streets on the return but the initial descent into the TCrk waterway is dramatic. All streets, walks, paths and stairs were in good shape. Many crossings unguarded by lights, signs or zebra strikes -- full attention is needed.
A great group and favorable weather and snow conditions helped us achieve the summit
