Hannegan Meadows (Ruth Mountain)

Burgdorfer suggests in his 100 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes of Washington that Ruth Mountain “is a magnificent touring objective.” I’ve thought so for years since I first found my way into the Hannegan and Chillawack Valleys. Yet, Burgdorfer continues, “This tour should be attempted …only in ideal conditions.” While we did have the stable snowpack he refers to as ideal conditions, this weekend was far from ideal weather wise.

Still, we’d planned on it. I was hopeful and HOPE is a word I could use for a mountain sharing the same name as my mother who has recently finished her radiation treatments for breast cancer.

The road was clear to just a few hundred yards from the trailhead where a one deepish patch exists. We were surprised by the considerable melt-out of the trail since these guys posted their TR. With glacier travel gear, avy gear, and overnight gear, it was the heaviest load I’d carried yet this season. Needless to say, I was a bit miffed that I had to carry my skis too. Skinning was far from practical until the last 1000 feet to the pass. Precipitation was on again off again all morning sprinkling seasonal flora with diamond droplets on the bursting buds. Lower elevation trillium showed their nodding heads, avalanche lilies pushed up in fine form, and bleeding hearts (leaves and flowers) were just beginning to expand (as hearts do). Dog toothed violets were a bright spot to the gloom of the fog and rain.

We were slow going in the intermittent glop. Snow was so saturated that even when we started skinning we frequently had to kick steps. Small sun cups were pock-marked with recent rains. Visibility was seriously limited; we could hardly make out the sky from the snow. Ruth was elusive. Hannegan Pass became clear for a split second and we headed up that way to make camp. These two middle school teachers were asleep before 8:30 with plans to look for the peak at first light.

By 5:30 AM I had already heard two rain storms pound the walls of the tent. I could hardly see the trees nearby when I peaked out for a look. Thus, we safely canceled plans for a summit push. Over breakfast the sky brightened and Sean’s altimeter barometer spiked up drastically. Twenty minutes later we were socked in again, barometer falling.

We took to a few nearby (and visible) ridges for the skiing we came for. Turns were smooth and juicy. Above Hannegan meadows we ran a line that hardly had to beg to be yo-yo’ed. We dropped our loads in the meadows below and skinned up a few hundred feet for some super fine spring turns.

Again, any day in the mountains is a good day. JOM=25% over the 5+ miles.

Ruth Mountain: another time, Mom.

Zoo Field Trip

Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it. I do believe it's true. Wo-oo-oo! Where else can 150 6th graders navigate their own destinations, research endangered species, discover solutions to threatened habitats, purchase a hippo pet carrier and a meter long stuffed snake, beg me to come look with them at bats in the nocturnal house and the details of a jaguar's spots, see a Kookaburra slurp down a mouse, use math skills to estimate sizes of cages and enclosures, and exhibit, themselves, the tell tale elements of spring for any animal species.


Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo.

Bike to Work Day, May 19, 2006

Another fabulous BTW day in Seattle! This year I mounted my new digital camera to my handbars and rode with my finger on the trigger most of the journey. Some of the photographs are wacky; others are interesting. More than 10% of the staff at my school rode and more than a handful of students (including many of mine) rode to school as part of the Bike to School day aspect of BTW day. Get out of your car and ride safely! 

Dusk Patrol at Alpental, May 17, 2006

I got off the bike at 4:30 pm and waved to my neighbor working in his garden. At 5:00 when I came down the driveway with my skis over my shoulder he said, "You've got to be kidding!" With temps soaring in the city in the 80's I could only sort of see what he was getting at.

A bunch of half-naked, tank-topped, sun-soaked city folks spilled out of cars parked at the base of the Armstrong Express. Cass, Rodger, Elly, Kelvin, Jeremy, Ari and his partner, and I stood in the alpine shade beside the babbling creek and quickly got cold. So we quickly got moving.

A sundog light up the sky. Two four footed friends (Kona and Keller) led the way skinning up Sessel. Snow was firm but pliable, not at all icy under the day's 72 degrees last I had checked the telemetry. Warm air and heat pockets persisted as we climbed and soon removed that extra layer we'd donned at the bottom. An early party of folks carved past us just before we topped out at the saddle and the top of the quad. Thinking she was now alone, we must have surprised Rainier. She was blushing in the most beautiful way. Cass and Rodger gained the side hill looking for a better view and descended with a few fine turns. We waited until the alpineglow faded from across the valley and Cass extracted himself from a thigh high hole until our ski descent.

The turns were simply lovely. Watch for the creek opening and other thawing hazards/treasures (Kelvin found a cell phone!). Cass thinks there is enough snow to last for at least one more Wednesday night Dusk Patrol. I don't think he's kidding.

more photos here

Rattlesnake Ledge

There are no rattlesnakes here. Just off I-90 East of North Bend, this City of Seattle Public Utility Property is so named for the grassland meadow that was once here. The early settlers heard the grass shake in the wind and they likened this bit of botany to the slithering serpant.

Alas, no rattlesnakes here. But on Mother's Day, every one and their mother and cousin was there. Really. And plenty of dogs.

Janice and I got a late start and headed into the hills for a little hike. Up the 2 miles and change, we actually managed to find a higher ledge lookout and some piece and quiet for our late lunch. This view shows part of the Snoqualimie Valley and the destination point for the hords of other hikers.

Get out there. 

Bike to Work Month Commute Challege

BTW kicks off. I'm the team captain again and a fearless cheerleader of bike commuting. Our team consists of 10 teachers; 5 from my school, 5 from a high school. Day two and already we've logged over 100 miles. Our team name: No Teacher Left Behind (the steering wheel)

Check it out here

Crystal Fest

Company, corn snow, creativity, and lots of sunshine.
a fabulous day!