To Cle Elum and Beyond!

This past Sunday we decided to ditch the overcast skies of the Seattle area and head for some hiking among the eastern slopes of the Cascades where the sun was shining. As with most of our trips to the east side of the mountains we passed through the town of Cle Elum. And, as with most of our passages through Cle Elum we stopped by the Cle Elum Bakery where we enjoyed a Maple Bar and Maple Pershing.

The pastries gave us the strength to power through the town of Leavenworth and to the Lake Stuart trailhead. We didn't reach the trailhead until noon but since it was the day after the summer solstice there would be plenty of daylight for our hike to the lake and back. Soon we reached the crossing of Mountaineer Creek and made our way up some rocky switchbacks.

The trail became a gentle roll as we reached a meadow with views of the Stuart Range.
After one more set of switchbacks and crossing over some summer snowbanks among the trees we reached Lake Stuart nestled below snowy Mt. Stuart.


As usual the hike back to the trailhead was quicker and we made it to the car with daylight to burn.

Catalina or Bust

Earlier this month we traveled to Southern California for a Catalina camping trip with Emma and Paul. On Friday afternoon we hopped on the ferry to the island and then rode the shuttle to Little Harbor where we set up camp and explored the area before settling in by the fire.

The next morning we awoke to find a buffalo roaming through the campground. In the 1920's some buffalo were brought to the island as "extras" for a movie. Once the movie finished filming the buffalo were allowed to remain behind and expanded their number.

After the buffalo visit and some breakfast we decided to hike a little ways south to a nearby beach. All along the trail the cacti were showing off their orange and yellow blooms.

Soon we reached our destination, where we found some breezy shade and had a midday snack.

After lunch we continued our trek and ventured further into the island's, making a loop back to camp. As we reached a high point we surveyed the land before us and spotted a herd of buffalo between us and the campground. With a little of patience the buffalo moved on and we were able to pass with out the threat of a stampede.

Before long the campground at Little Harbor was in sight below us.

After breakfast on our last morning we caught the shuttle to Avalon, the main town on the island. Our return ferry wasn't until early evening so we spent the afternoon wandering the town's streets, eating fish and chips, having fruity drinks and shopping for taffy and fudge.

Before we knew it we were on the ferry and reluctantly returned to the mainland.