Our "Mountain Loop Experience" - July 19, 2008

Mom Update: Last week I enjoyed two bike rides with Larry, swam three times (including one time in a lake with three other nice gals, trying out my wetsuit for the first time--wonderful!), and ended the week with a challenging (for me) hike!

Last Saturday, we drove the Mountain Loop Highway for the very first time all the way from Granite Falls to Darrington! This highway was seriously damaged in 2003 and was re-opened briefly last October for the first time. Then it re-opened this year for the first summer opening in five years! In the past, Larry and I had never got around to driving the complete loop--maybe because we didn't care for dusty gravel roads (the road is not paved past Barlow Pass). We still didn't actually drive it, because Rosanna drove all the way instead! (Great job, Rosanna!) Also, our Mercury Sable has a cabin air filter, and it really did work! Even with the climate control set on vent, we couldn't smell the dust!

We stopped at Barlow Pass, and Larry and I went on a hike.

This trail was supposed to be easy, but it was actually very rough with lots of switchbacks. The starting elevation is 2,400 ft., ending elevation is 3,200 ft. We used our trekking poles (Larry got another set recently). I highly recommend using trekking poles for hiking, especially on steep, rough trails. The brand we have is Black Diamond, and they are one of the best.

Almost there!

At the summit--"Barlow Point Lookout"

Views of the South Fork Sauk River and Sauk Fork-Stillaguamish River valleys

Time to head back... Scenes along the trail heading back

Time to stop for dinner!

Larry barbecuing hot dogs!

White Chuck Mountain