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Baby Todd, you are one lucky boy! You were born to a family of hikers, mountain bikers, skiers…mountain lovers! Adventure awaits! Naturally, your first trip to the mountains would come early…
FIRST TRIP – 9/27/14
Artist Point & Bagley Lakes
Mt Baker, WA
On September 27th, when Todd was 5 weeks old, we felt ready to take on a long car trip. We were itching to get out into the mountains, so we drove to the end of the Mt Baker Highway (SR 542), to Artist Point, elevation 5210 ft.
(By the way, this is where you access the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail. Check out these spectacular pictures of Mt Baker and Mt Shukshan, from the route.)
Todd does great on car rides of any length. He falls fast asleep! I’m not positive, but I think this trip took about 2.5 hours each way.
Once we arrived at the popular destination, we pulled out some chairs and fed the boy. Mt Shuksan was in the clouds.
Fueling up
Eric & Todd with Mt Shuksan in the clouds
Todd & Eric
We walked along the stroller-friendly nature path, to views of a partially clouded Mt Baker. I don’t think Todd opened his eyes to look.
Elisa, Todd & Mt Baker
Some nice people offered to take our picture, with Ptarmigan Ridge in the background. I’ve hiked that trail before, and we also once did a backcountry ski trip along that route.
Family pic with Ptarmigan Ridge in the background
Eric and Todd with Mt Baker in the background
We took our first family selfie. No one smiled…
First family selfie
Mt Baker from Artist Point
After we topped off Todd’s tank with some more food, we drove a short stretch down the road to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. Another stroller-friendly path greeted us.
The stroller-friendly Bagley Lakes trail
We tried to show him the columnar basalt, but all he would do is sleep…
Columnar Basalt
Sleepy Todd
Pictures of Bagley Lakes…
One of the Bagley Lakes
Another of the Bagley Lakes
Clearly, Todd’s first trip to the mountains was memorable for him! He slept the whole way home, too.
Todd with Table Mountain in the background
By the time we left, the clouds over Mt Shuksan had lifted…
Mt Shuksan
Saturday, August 24, 2013 – Mountain Biking
This was our second time riding the Crystal Mountain Trail #1163, to the top of the Crystal Mountain ski resort.
The first time we rode there was July 31, 2010. That was one of those picture-perfect days! The views of Mt Rainier are not to be missed!
Despite having a summer strung together with days and days of clear skies, the weather on this particular Saturday was not so cooperative. It was raining when we left the house. At the trailhead it was dry, but cloudy. We saw initial glimmers of blue sky as we climbed the forest, but by the time we arrived at the top, the fog was thick! And, Brrrr!!– it was not warm! Our fingers got cold on the descent.
We drive here via Enumclaw, WA and Hwy 410 (Chinook Pass Hwy), which follows the White River. Turn off Hwy 410 at Rd #7190 (Crystal Mountain Blvd) and find the trailhead for Crystal Mountain Trail #1163 adjacent to Sand Flat Horse Camp. It is located about 2 miles short of the the ski resort itself.
This trip is a relatively short, “out-and-back” ride for us. We turn around at the top of the Mt Rainier Gondola/Summit House. Note that Trail #1163 does continue down from that highpoint (6872 ft) to intersect with other trails.
In a nutshell, this trail simply goes up and up and up for about 3000 ft. Consider this climb “interval training” because you won’t stay in your Zone 2. The tread is basically smooth, with some sections of jagged rocks (not too many) and some sandy patches. It’s quite rideable throughout. The descent is screamin’ fast!
CLIMBING THE FOREST–> Switchbacks through trees and open slide paths of huckleberry bushes.
Ascending forest – August 24, 2013
Ascending forest – August 24, 2013
Blue skies on July 31, 2010
CLIMBING CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RIDGE–> At times, the trail hugs a steep sidehill. It’s not too “airy,” but you do need to focus in couple places. The trail up the ridge also traverses a wide wildflower meadow.
From the ridge, the BIG view is Mt Rainier. The White River is quite impressive as well.
Ridge climb – July 31, 2010
Meadow – July 31, 2010
Mt Rainier from Crystal Mountain Ridge – July 31, 2010
Eric – July 31, 2010
White River & clouds hiding Mt Rainier – August 24, 2013
White River & Mt Rainier – July 31, 2010
Looking east – July 31, 2010
Elisa – July 31, 2010
Elisa – July 31, 2010
ENTERING THE CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA–> Singletrack trail is replaced by a rocky road on the final uphill traverse to the top of the Mt Rainier Gondola and Summit House.
Headed toward the Northway Chairlift – August 24, 2013
Aster & Fireweed – August 24, 2013
Eric wearing his #NSNG technical tee – August 24, 2013
Looking into the ski area – August 24, 2013
Crystal Mountain ski area map – August 24, 2013
THE TOP–> Views of fog!
Mt Rainier Gondola & the top of the Rainier Express chair – August 24, 2013
If you don’t want to power yourself to the top, you can pay $20 to ride the gondola.
Here is a link to the Crystal Mountain Summer Map. Note that this map calls the north section of the Crystal Mountain Trail #1163, “Northway Trail.”
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TRIP STATS: (Using the Bike Tracks App for iPhone)
- Total Distance = 11.6 miles
- Total Vertical = 5991 ft (climb 3053 ft, descend 2938 ft)
- Elevation = 6849 ft highest, 3818 ft lowest
- Time = 3 hrs, 39 min (start 11:10 AM, finish 2:46 PM)
MAPS USED:
FOOD CONSUMED ON TRAIL:
- Water + 1 SaltStick
- We didn’t even eat one huckleberry although the bushes were packed!
Freeheel Vegan 