Happy hump day everyone!
I arrived in Seattle at 1 AM Tuesday morning and got home around 3:30 AM. Ouch. But I still woke up before 9 AM and was excited to head up to the top of the Mount Baker Highway and get in a short hike with my dad!
The drive is about 1.5 hours to the top, Artist's Point, but it's extremely worthwhile, as I hope my pictures show. We decided to hike up
Tabletop Mountain. It's a short, 3 mile round trip hike, but it goes up 560 feet to the summit of the mountain, so it's a nice little bang for your hiking buck. Plus, since you start at more than a mile above sea level, it's good cardio conditioning!
We ended our hike with a late lunch at
Milano's, tasty Italian food located in the foothills of Mount Baker. If you ever make it out this way, I highly recommend a Milano's feast to end your day of hiking or skiing!
Of course, after barely any sleep, hiking at a high altitude, and a late and large lunch, I crashed hard at 8:00 and was in bed by 9 PM. Granny alert!
Anyway, I'm going to keep the rest of this post heavy on the pictures and light on the words. Because when you hike in the Cascades, pictures are really all that's necessary. Well, besides water and snacks, of course. And layering since it can get chilly up there.
Okay, so you need more than pictures. I'll just stop typing and let you enjoy the beauty of the North Cascades!
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| Tabletop Mountain from Artist's Point |
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| Mt Shuksan approximately 9,000 ft (on the right) |
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| Along mountainous trails in the Northwest, you'll often find cairns (fascinating history) |
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| Our mission: reach the top. |
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| You can just see Baker Lake peeking out in between the mountains in the background |
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| Mount Baker - a 10,000 ft volcano! |
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| We did it! Summit photo opp required. |
Do you hike? If so, what's your favorite place to hike?
Absolutely breathtaking pictures. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't come back to NYC. ;) I've never been "legit" hiking, but I'd love to go to the Adirondacks one day.
ReplyDeleteI want to go to the Adirondacks, too! The pictures I've seen look like it'd be a great place for hiking.
DeleteBeautiful pictures! Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWe do have places to hike here in Ohio but nothing like this. Wow that looks like a great place to hike. Those look like photos from a travel mag - Amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom! The Northwest is such a beautiful place in the summer. And the winter... when it isn't raining!
DeleteYour photos are stunning. When I first read the title of your post, I thought you were talking about Tabletop Mountain in Cape Town, SA. That is also a beautiful place to hike!
ReplyDeleteMy trainer just went to South Africa and hiked Tabletop -- her photos were incredible!
DeleteWow, this is drop-dead gorgeous! You're so lucky!
ReplyDeleteI know! Thankfully the weather was clear enough that we got great views!
DeleteHow incredibly gorgeous! I am going to have to check it out next June when I run the Rock N' Roll Seattle!
ReplyDeleteYes, you'll have to explore the area! The San Juan islands, Olympic Peninsula, and North Cascade National Park are all fantastic. Feel free to email me for suggestions!
DeleteI want to be THERE!!!! Look so amazing.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking! I need to go there!
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