Sunday, January 6, 2019

Scabland Ramblings

I had hiked around Fourth of July Lake with the hiking group I belong to but I wanted to explore more of the area.  I scoped out 3 smaller, successive lakes to the SE of the approximate mid point of the lake.  I decided to go for it since this area is only open from the Friday after Thanksgiving until March.  Oh, and I intentionally got lost...

Early morning light over Fourth of July Lake



Cool shaped 2nd unnamed lake I hiked to

Small 'cave' made of basalt











Buck rub




As you can see I love big trees, dead trees ie snags, B&W photos and wide open landscapes!  The desert like environment of the Channeled Scablands is ideal to hike in the winter; no ticks, no rattlesnakes, no heat and, for this day at least, no sun.  The bottom screen shot is my route and the bottom is where I got lost.  When the sun finally peeked out I knew I had succeeded in getting disoriented so I pulled out my compass and 'found' myself.  Truly, a great time all by myself on the first day of the new year!

Hike Around our House in the Snow

This little walk up to the "viewpoint" has been our favorite since 1984 when we moved here. The panoramic shot is from the top of the viewpoint.   Also my favorite and the largest Ponderosa Pine that is now dead but still my favorite!









Hike Along Rimrock in Palisades Park





Late December Hike at Mineral Ridge; Eagles too









Tieton River in October...









Mini Hike at Latah Creek and James T. Slavin

Stromcrow hiding letterboxes once more....