Return to the High Cascades

Because we had enjoyed ourselves so much when we were in the Cascades, we went back on Saturday for another hike with our friends Parapluie and Fisherman. The hike we made wasn't too long, the day not too hot, and we enjoyed eating our lunch under the shade of a big tree between short hikes.

Although it was the same walk, the scenes had changed as different flowers bloomed, some had grown more impressive.

The walk basically follows a ridge and dips between deep forest, open flower-filled meadows on steep slopes, and interesting rock formations. If someone is so ambitious as to climb to the top, they get a spectacular view-- so I have been told. I have yet to go to the top; and this time, since I had twisted my knee in Arizona and again in our pasture, I wasn't about to risk it as coming down could have sent it back to where it had been. Definitely not on my agenda for a fun summer.

It made me think how much fun it would be to start doing this hike say the first of July and repeating it every week for a month as each time there would doubtless be different vignettes to enjoy.

The birds and insects make the most of this glorious feast also although their motives are more about their own survival than appreciating the beauty although who knows. Maybe they do both.

When I am there I always think how wonderful it is, all of this in one place, the show these flowers put on for themselves, for their survival, but that people built a safe, easy trail to allow someone like me to see it all. The beauty, wonderful array of flowers and colors warrant a poem. Too bad I am not a poet.

The flowers range from those that love the sunshine to those that bloom in the shade. Their colors are everything in the rainbow.

More photos have been added to my Picasa site for those who are fans of mountain wildflowers.

High Cascade Wildflowers