The Washington State Chronicles

The Incredible Adventures of Karen C.

Tolmie Peak

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Tolmie Peak was -- by far -- one of the coolest hikes of this summer. I'd have to say it's one of my favorites. Ginger and I went on a Saturday, and left fairly early in the morning so we could get up to the north western side of mountain in time. Wanting to get away from the jam-packed areas of Longmire and Paradise, we decided to head up to Mowich Lake and "get out of town" so-to-speak. Even though Tolmie Peak is a fairly popular hike, I was surprised at how little traffic there was on the trail. We came across several people, but not nearly as much as we had expected on a Saturday.

The cool, clear, azure waters of Mowich Lake looked very inviting as we started our ascent, and the day was already warming up nicely. Hiking through lush, alpine forests, we were lucky enough to spend most of our trek in the shade. The hot summer sun streamed in through the trees and heated the forest floor, producing intoxicating scents of berries, pine needles, tree sap, and wild flowers. It sure was buggy though! Despite the fact that we sprayed ourselves several times with bug spray, they just kept on bitin'.

The jaunt up to Lake Eunice was fairly easy going, with a few ups and downs, and little switchbacks here and there. Eunice was gorgeous, and our destination was in sight -- the Fire Lookout of Tolmie Peak. So we took off for the steep switch backs up the ridge and across the scree. Once we had reached the top, we bounded eagerly over to a viewpoint at the edge of the cliff. We couldn't believe our eyes! Not a cloud in sight -- we could see all the way to Puget Sound across the valley, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, and the Olympics all from the top of a 5,939 foot peak! I felt on top of the world in that wide, open, fresh air with the mountain so close I could practically reach out and touch it.

After relishing in our epic journey to the top of the peak, we made our way to the fire lookout and had lunch with a nice chipmonk who sat in our laps. It was very hot on top of the peak, and being all sweaty from our hike, we quickly came to the conclusion that a swim in Mowich Lake was a MUST DO before we set off for home. We made our descent quickly so we could jump in the lake, and boy...was it ever c-c-cold!!! It felt so good though after a long, hot hike. One quick dunk was pretty much all we needed in the snow melt lake, so we dried off, took in the scenery one last time, and headed back home. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. :) Thanks for going with me Ging! I'll remember this day for the rest of my life!

Check out the video below for the full account of Ginger's and my adventure! :)

Carter Falls to Narada Falls

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I was anxious to set foot on this trail again. Having done the trek up to Carter Falls and then Madcap Falls as a child, I was practically jumping out of my hiking boots at the chance to see how this trail had changed over the years. And boy, had it ever. When I was in the fifth grade, I remember hiking alongside giant pipes that ran the length of the trail which were the remnants of an old hyrdo-electric system. You can imagine my surprise when these same pipes loomed twenty feet above my head, due to the Paradise River washout.

This hike is completely uphill until you reach Narada Falls, where we then turned around and re-traced our steps. The hike back down is steep in some places, but overall realitively easy-going. The weather was great...the forecast had called for rain, but surprise, surprise! Mt. Rainier once again decided to make its own weather. Starting out near the Cougar Rock Campground, we crossed the Nisqually River right away and set out up the hill towards Carter Falls. With the Paradise River to our right, we had the soothing sound of running water to keep us company on this otherwise quiet hike. We heard little more than a few birds chirping, and the trees creaking in the wind.

You can't miss Carter Falls -- the roar of its falling waters alerts you to its location long before you ever reach sight of it. A sign notifies you that you have reached your first destination. Carter Falls is set far back, and can sometimes be hard to see with all the trees in the way. There are a few good viewing opportunities, but never a full, clear shot of the falls. Just a few short steps up the hill lies Madcap Falls, which is unmarked. It pales in comparison to Carter Falls, and practically looks like just another dip in the river compared to Narada. The only clue you have to communicate that you have reached the falls is a wooden guardrail, which allows you to get up close and personal to the rolling falls.
After Madcap, the trail offers little scenery (besides the Paradise River) to entertain you until you reach Narada Falls. However, that doesn't mean that the trail is boring. Quite the contrary! The forest is lush, the smell intoxicating, and lots of little wild flowers pop up here and there. Mule deer are often spotted along this trail, and Ginger and I had the privilege to see a doe and her two baby fawns. They were so adorable with their little white spots! We tried our best to be quiet and catch them on film, but momma wasn't having any of our business and quickly shooed her fawns down the hill and out of the area. Oh well, maybe next time. :)

We knew we had reached Narada Falls when we heard it about 0.2 mile away, and the fact that there seemed to be an increased number of people on the trail. Ginger and I had been alone practically the entire hike, but what did we expect going to a tourist heavy location? We stopped to take pictures of the falls and a few videos before heading up to the Narada Falls parking lot to have lunch. Please be careful during your ascent to the top of the falls. The mist constantly washes over the area, causing the rocks to be slippery, and the ground to remain fairly wet. Ging and I sat on the rock wall of the road bridge over the Paradise River, eating our sandwiches in silence. We couldn't believe the amount of people that flooded the parking lot and general area. I guess that's what you get when a stunning waterfall is easily accessible via the road up to Paradise. I watched in horror as several people went down to the banks of the river, filled up their water bottles, and just starting drinking the stream water without treating it! Ginger and I thought that was fairly common knowledge, that you should always treat your water, but I guess not to city folk. I shouted over the roar of the falls to one lady, "You know...you really should treat that water!" I don't think she quite understood what I meant, because she responded with, "Oh yeah! Isn't it such a treat?! It's so good for you!" I looked at Ginger and rolled my eyes, muttering that she was going to pay for it later when she was throwing up out the window on her way back down the mountain. Although the Native American word "Narada" translates into "Uncontaminated" you should still always treat your water. Better safe than sorry.

After being thoroughly annoyed by the tourists, we set off back the way we came. We were eager to get back on the quiet trail, and away from the hussle and bustle that we come up to the mountain to get away from. :P

Watch the video below to see more of our hike! :)

The Grove of the Patriarchs

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The Grove of the Patriarchs is -- quite simply put -- a magical place. There is a feeling of serenity and tranquility from the moment you set foot into this massive thicket, where all sense of time seems to be lost. Gazing upon trees that have existed since the Middle Ages, I couldn't help but feel humbled and small. These trees have a way of healing the soul, and captivating the imagination. There is an undeinable stillness in those woods that demands reverence, and if you sit still long enough, you can actually hear the massive trees creaking and groaning under the weight of their old age.

This is hallowed ground. Period.

These ancients have stood for more than a thousand years, and what I wouldn't give to climb up into their lofty branches and listen to the stories they have to tell. I'm sure they would be many -- if only they could speak. I think of warriors, and knights roaming the woods, where these magnificent trees sprung out of the ground, merely tiny, little sapplings. How many forest fires have they seen, frightened that they too might be burned to the ground? They stood and watched as people came and went, ripping down and building up...

Yet, they still remain.

If you have not yet had the pleasure of being in the presence of these massive giants, mark it as a destination on your list. This is a must do. It's an easy 1.5 mile, leisurely stroll through the woods, with a suspension bridge crossing over the Ohanapecosh river. This river is gorgeous on a nice day. The water is so clear, you can see right down to the bottom of it's turquoise blue waters and view all the tiny little pebbles and rocks, which look like jewels in the sunlight. The bridge is fun to cross, as it bounces up and down with each step you take, but please -- obey the park signs and only cross one person at a time. The bridge is very stable, but we want to keep it that way.

This is a great place to take the family for a day of fun. The Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead has a good amount of parking spaces, a bathroom, drinking fountains, and several picnic tables to choose from if you decide to have lunch there. This is, however, a very "tourist-y" location, so if you don't want to be around a lot of people, I would suggest taking another hike. But, it is very worth it, and it only takes an hour.

I'd also like to take a moment to remind you all of proper trail etiquette. Of course, as with all popular destinations, you're going to run into a number of people who either don't know, or don't care. Please, be reserved and quiet so others are able to enjoy their surroundings -- unlike the jerk we had to follow who was shouting the entire time. Also, I'd like to thank whoever spit their gum out on the trail, which eventually found its way to the bottom of my shoe. Hopefully you all caught my sarcasm there. Not only is chewing gum non-biodegradable, but it's a pain in the butt to clean up. Yes, the flavors and the sugar decompose after awhile, but what remains is the gum base, which is (in it's basic form) rubber or plastic. Great! >.< So, please don't litter. Especially in a place as sacred as this. Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. :)

Check out the video below of this mystical, and very enchanting place:

Steven's Canyon

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Situated in the south-east corner of Mt. Rainier National Park, Steven's Canyon boasts an incredible number of waterfalls -- five to be exact -- so if you're into searching for crashing water, you've come to the right place. Two of the falls are unnamed, the other three are Maple Falls, Sylvia Falls, and Martha Falls. Make sure to bring two cars for this one, like we did, otherwise face twice the hiking time. We left one car up at our destination, Reflection Lake, and drove all the way down to the Box Canyon Picnic area to start our hike.

From the very beginning we were accompained by the sound of rolling water as Steven's Creek flowed down the canyon toward us. Not even 0.6 mile into our hike we stumbled across the first falls, and crossed Steven's Creek utilizing the foot bridge. Realitively easy going for the next couple of miles, we weaved in and out of the heavily shaded forest catching glimpses of the creek as we explored the canyon floor. It was quiet, and after pushing ahead of the other hikers, we had the trail all to ourselves. Lots of beavers must live on that river, because we must have seen at least three or four beaver dams -- but never the actual fuzzy creatures themselves.We took a quick stop at Maple Creek Camp, which is one of the numerous back-country camping sites you can choose to stay at along the Wonderland Trail, and trekked on.

From there, the trail took a gradual ascent along the ridge, and before long we had reached Sylvia Falls. We stopped to pose in front of the waterfall, and scarfed down some power food. Once again, we hoisted our backpacks over our shoulders, and pushed on. Fighting our way through stinging nettles and devil's club we slowly climbed up the ridge, and in no time at all we were hiking parallel to Steven's Canyon Road on the other side of the valley.

The climb was steady, and steep -- full of stairs and rocky stream crossings. All of us were famished by the time we reached the fifth, and last waterfall on our journey. Martha Falls was impressive, and quite a bit larger than Sylvia Falls. We had to shout over the roaring water just to hear each other! Stopping at Martha Falls for lunch is a great idea. You can sit on the log bridge that crosses the stream, or on the stairs across the way. No matter where you sit, the cool mist of the falls will wash over you -- which feels amazing on a hot summer day, let me tell you. After lunch we packed up, and hiked on.

The sound of rushing cars alerted us that we had reached Steven's Canyon Road, and we crossed carefully. Continuing through the woods we finally came to a snow covered area near the road. Trying to stay on the trail, but not really being able to see exactly where it was, was a bit scary. Even scarrier still, was when Samm's foot broke through the snow, and her whole leg sank down into a hollowed out cavern under the ice! All was well, though, after we cautiously crossed the thin snow pack, and Samm's mini panic attack had passed. We so badly wanted to finish the hike the way it was supposed to be, by taking the side trip down to Louise Lake and back up, but there was still far too much snow in the area. Rather than risking it, we decided to stay safe on the road and hiked back up to frozen-over Reflection Lake to complete our quest.

After 6.6 strenuous miles of uphill trekking, we were exhausted. But, it was all worth it when we were able to look out and down across the canyon we had just ventured out of. Our sense of accomplishment was high, and we were already talking about tackling the trail once again, after the snow melted off.

Steven's Canyon...you kicked my ass! :P But, I'd do it all again in a heart beat. What a journey!

Check out the video below to view our epic quest. Thank you ladies for coming along and being champs!

New Camera!

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Sorry I've been away for so long, folks. We've been having some fantastic weather here in the Pacific Northwest, and I've been taking advantage of it while I can. We've had such a short hiking season this year, and there's still snow melting off the trails up near Paradise. Normally at this time of year, all of those trails are hikable...so needless to say, I've been a busy, busy bee!

Since I last wrote, I have had the privilege of hiking Steven's Canyon, Comet Falls / Van Trump Park, The Grove of the Patriarchs, and Carter Falls to Narada Falls. I will write individual blogs about each hike, hopefully within in the next week or so. I have a few days off coming up, so perhaps I can do some much needed catching up on the site. :)

Steven's Canyon was epic. That's the only word to describe it. 6.6 strenuous miles, uphill, passing five waterfalls, from the bottom of the canyon floor...all the way up to beautiful Reflection Lake. There was pain (in the form of blisters), exhaustion from the steep switchbacks, breath-taking views, crazy river crossings, and even a scary point when Samm almost fell through a snowdrift that had melted out from underneath! But we came, we saw, we conquered, and our sense of accomplishment had never been stronger. Sadly...my pictures and videos did NOT make it. Well, some of them did, but more than half of my pictures and clips were lost for some unknown reason. I was so bummed because it didn't save any pictures of the waterfalls, or vids of them either, and all my cute photos of my friends and I on the trail were gone.

You can imagine my surprise the next day when my mom scooped me up and took me down to our local Fred Meyer and said, "Pick out a camera!" I could hardly believe it, and I was so excited and so thankful. I instantly went for the Sony Cybershot 14.1 mega pixel 4x optical zoom camera -- the camera of my dreams.




You can't even imagine the clarity that this thing takes didgital pictures and videos with. It even shoots in HD! :D I'm so anxious to put together a slideshow for you guys so you can see what a difference this camera has made. I'm still learning about all the little things it can do, but for straight out of the box it's pretty easy to use. And talk about lightweight! This thing shaves ounces off of the old camera I was using, and I barely even realize it's in my pocket out there on the trails. Thank you again, mom, for graciously buying me a new camera. It's incredible!

I also bought a Buff!!! This thing is the coolest thing since sliced bread, I'm tellin' ya. Not only has it kept me cool on hot hikes, and warm on cool hikes (like bitterly cold Comet Falls), but I've found a variety of uses for it outside of the hiking genre. I use it ALL THE TIME when I workout at the lake with the girls, and I can't wait to take it camping with me in August. I also purchased another one and gave it to my brother for his birthday, and he absolutely loves it. If you don't have a Buff...I suggest you go order one now. :P


Campfires and smores have been a thrice weekly event in our household over the last few weeks, ever since we got a new fire pit. Ginger and Samm came over for a night of sitting around the fire, telling stories, and making smores. I think the general consensus was that we needed to have A LOT more campfire nights. LOL! I love the smell of wood smoke, and there's just something about fire-gazing that seems to captivate all of humanity. Maybe it's because it brings us back to our roots, or perhaps there's a connection between the dancing flames and our optical nerve endings...in any case, it sure makes the mind wander doesn't it?




Check back soon for my four blogs on the hikes I've taken. I'll have them posted shortly with pics and videos!!! Until next time...stay safe out there. :)

Getting lost is FUN!

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I'd like to tell you all a little story. Another fun-filled, epic account of a blissful day in the lives of Karen and Ginger...


...It all started with a leisurely stroll up the mountain to spend some time in the lodge...

Many hikers -- like myself -- anxiously wait out the cold, winter months for the Paradise Lodge to re-open. Why? For one, it symbolizes the beginning of the spring/summer hiking season. Secondly, the lodge is an enormous hub where those with common interests can sit down after a long day's hike at one of the two harths and swap stories. It's a great place to meet new people who are into the same things you are, and the coffee isn't half bad either. You can stay in any one of the lodge's 121 guest rooms, eat in their formal dining hall, or grab some coffee from the Tatoosh Cafe`. The host at the Inn's front desk will gladly hand over a board game, you need only ask. I like to take a chess board up to the dimly lit upper level and nab a table next to the rafters. The lodge is only accessible four months out of the year, and during the rest of the year, you might just miss it altogether if you're not looking. Most of the time it's covered in white fluffy snow! So if you haven't already checked out the lodge, you'd better hurry in...time is running out.

(Inside the two story lodge)

(Nothing beats lounging by the fire with a hot cup of coffee)

(Paradise Lodge and the Tatoosh Range)

After Ginger and I studied all the cute hiking boys, I mean...took in the ambience of the mountain lodge...we took off back down towards Longmire.
Or so we thought.
We decided to check out a scenic view road that we had seen coming up to Paradise, and veered off to our left. We kept wondering when the road was going to loop around back to the main street, but it never did. We started to get a bit suspisious when we came across a series of lakes and waterfalls...and then it dawned on us -- we were on Stevens Canyon Road headed to eastern Washington!!!! WHOA THERE HORSIE!!! We finally turned back around somewhere near the Box Canyon area, and headed for home. Although we were set back a whole hour, it was well worth it -- as the views were absolutely stunning. Once again our trip inspired our next hike, and we will be attempting Stevens Canyon later this week. Check back soon for my blog on that trek. For now, I leave you with my slide show of our spontaneous adventure. Enjoy!

Eco-Friendly Products

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Drizzly days like today in Washington are common -- yes -- but, so are the moods they evoke in me as well. These misty, cold, dank, dark days just make me want to curl up next to the fire with a hot cup of coffee, and my battered, dog ear cornered, marked up, highlighted copy of a Falcon Guide. Longing to be "out there," but permanently stuck indoors due to the weather, I often find myself planning my next trip. Or making lists of the gear I eventually want to possess. Or dreaming about how I can further protect the natural world I so cherish.


Over the last rainy week or so, I've really put in some research hours into learning about some super nifty products, and the companies who make them. I think it's really awesome to see individual companies addressing the issues we (as a human race) are having to deal with, while providing functionality as well. Now, I realize that these products I'm going to be talking about are all over the map, and some don't even have anything to do with the outdoors, but they all share one thing in common. They're functional, and good for the environment. Which, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I'm extremely passionate about. 

So, without further adieu...here are the top ten products I am most excited about. :)

Number one is the Guyot Designs Fireflye wide mouth bottle cap. Now, I know what you're all thinking, "A bottle cap?! What use is that?" But the Fireflye is soooo much more. It has three, ultra bright LED light strips that are water-tight sealed in a seperate compartment, and when turned on with the push of a button, turns your water bottle into a very practical lantern. You can use it upside down, or right side up because the internal workings of the LED lights will never get wet. Three AAA batteries are all you need to get your Fireflye up and running. It even has a few different settings, including a nightlight feature. Have your water and your light source hanging from the roof of your tent! How cool is that?


Next on my list of super cool, eco-friendly inventions is the new, 100% compostable SunChips bag made completely out of plants. I'm sorry, but when I first heard that they were going to release this product on Earth Day 2010, I just about jumped out of my seat with excitement. If SunChips can design a bag that completely breaks down in the environment...why can't ALL the chip manufacturers follow in their footsteps and do the same? Can you imagine the amount of land-fill waste that would be eliminated if every single chip bag on the super market shelf was biodegradable? Big props go out to the geniuses who came up with this design.


Third in the count-down is Burt's Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint & Rosemary Body Bar. First of all, as an actual user, let me tell you how invigorating this soap is. The peppermint instantly cools and refreshes you while the fragrance wakes up your senses. It's also peppered with rough almond flour to exfoliate your skin, and it's made out of all-natural ingredients so you don't have to feel bad about what's washing down your drain. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the packaging is made out of pressed powdered stone. It's absolutely, 100% bio-d. Just toss it in your normal garbage can, and let mother nature do the rest!


Coming in fourth is the stunning new line of cleaners called Green Works made by Clorox. All of the products in this line-up are amazing at doing their job while still staying natural and chemical free. But, what I'm really excited about are the Natural Compostable Cleaning Wipes. Ever since cleaning wipes were introduced on the market I've been an avid user. They're quick, convenient, and germ-free, unlike ordinary sponges. However, I couldn't help but notice how much waste I was creating every time I threw one of those wipes away. Now I don't have to compromise my health for the sake of the environment. The Green Works wipes are made out of wood-based fibers, so now I don't feel so bad when I toss them in the trash, and I can be confident that I'm not using any harsh chemicals on my surfaces.

Fifth on the list is the EcoSneaks "Bio-D" line by SimpleShoes. I've been a HUGE fan of SimpleShoes ever since I bought my first pair of Satire sneakers over a year and a half ago. EcoSneaks uses all kinds of natural, recycled, and organic materials to make their shoes, and now they've beefed up the soles of their shoes with a bio-d additive. Basically, you can throw your shoes away, and they'll turn into dirt in about 20 years (which isn't really a long time in the grand scheme of things). But why would you want to? EcoSneaks are super comfortable and last a looooong time. There's hardly any signs of wear and tear on my sneaks, and SimpleShoes actually has a customer who blogged about how he was able to wear his shoes for TEN YEARS before he finally had to throw in the towel!!


The number six slot goes to Guyot Design's TapGuard. Fitting snugly into any standard wide-mouth bottle, the TapGuard almost overextends itself on practicality. Slip the carbon pouch into it's holder, press the TapGuard into your water bottle, and presto! you have great tasting water from your tap. This product is great for many reasons. First, you can have the luxury of bottled water taste from anywhere, including the drinking fountain at work. Secondly, it helps to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles tumbling into our landfills. It's made with food-grade silicone so it's a snap to clean and disinfect, and you don't even have to remove it to fill your water bottle.


Number seven goes to show you that you don't need a lot of cash to go green. For under $20 you too can own an Energizer Simple Charger complete with two rechargable AA batteries. I nabbed one of these little suckers after I had a rather disappointing (and not to mention emabarrassing) mishap out in the field. I was trying to document my first experience on the Kautz Creek trail when suddenly my camera's batteries died on me. I vowed never again to leave for a hike without fresh batteries and a pair of back-ups just in case. I didn't want to keep buying batteries, though, and polluting the earth in the process, so you can imagine my enthusiasm when I found these rechargables. The Simple Charger charges both your standard AA and AAA batteries, and has the added bonus of being able to juice up 9Volts as well. I use mine to charge up my AA's in my camera before any trek, and hey...you can use it to recharge your AAA's for your Fireflye! ;) 


Number eight on my list is the Buff. Yes, you heard me right...the Buff. I honestly believe that every hiker should own one. It has so many uses, it practically makes my head spin. Coming in a wide variety of colors, materials, and patterns, the Buff is a long, tubular, seamless piece of microfiber. You can use it in hot weather to keep you cool, and cold weather to keep you warm. Wear it as a wristband, neck scarf, headband, mask, hair wrap, hair scrunchy, bandana, beanie...the possibilities are endless. Use it wet to keep you super cool on really hot days, or use it to pre-filter any sediment in your water when you fill up at streams (don't forget to actually filter your water though!! LOL). The Buff even comes in UV and insect repellent fabrics, and the company gives you the option for no packaging when you check-out, thus saving waste. Looks good in my book. :) 


Number nine weighs in heavy for me because I'm so honored to live in the Puget Sound area of the Northwest. Bartell Drugs has created a line of unique re-usable bags to inspire their customers to keep their home clean for future generations. 100% recyclable, each bag holds just as much as three to five plastic bags. I'm pretty much hooked on the super-cute vector design, depicting my favorite mountain of all time -- Mt. Rainier.


And last but definitely not least is the Natural Jute and PER Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat by Barefoot Yoga Co. I loooove me some yoga, and I love the way jute feels under my feet. This yoga mat is 100% bio-d, so feel free to toss it once it's lifespan is up. But I guarantee you won't be throwing this mat away for a long time. Barefoot Yoga also sells a wide variety of other eco-friendly yoga mats, as well as yoga blocks.


Well that's it. Thanks for checking out the products I'm uber-stoked about. Hopefully my next entry will be of an actual hike, instead of a rainy day activity. :P I've got some neat places planned for this summer, and Eagle Peak is definitely a challenge I want to defeat before the season is over. Look out Mt. Rainier!

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