Beckler Peak - Day Hike

Beckler Peak's highest elevation point is at 5063 ft with a 2263 ft elevation gain. On Saturday the 28th, we started out on the trail around 10:30 AM. The start of the trail is pretty wide and roomy, but that doesn't last long. Just when it starts to feel like the hike is getting pretty intense you come to a wide opening that gives you a view of the beautifully surrounding mountains. Taking a break at this point revives you to keep trucking on, up the mountain. The weather was absolutely perfect for this hike. The sun was shining and it was perfect for shorts and a tank. We ran into a few snow patches near the top but nothing that required gators or pants. Once we reached the top of the peak there were 360 views of the surrounding area. Absolutely breathtaking! We cracked a beer and enjoyed. I could have sat there all day. There was a family that made it to the top and one of them was wearing a University of Michigan t-shirt. Happy to see Michigan represent at 5063 feet in Washington. Since we only had one beer to share between 3 of us, we got pretty thirsty for more and decided to head back down for beer and burgers. On the way down we had some fun with snowballs fights and building snowmen. Check out the fotos: 


Hope you weekend was as amazing as mine!

My brother from another mother (jesse) and I at the top of Beckler Peak.

Top of the peak

jazz hands are always acceptable in nature.

one of the views on the way up.

chugging beer, dino-style.

this makes me happy.

path on the way to the top of the peak.

our snowman, johnny 4-balls.

stoned sperm whale. 

Little Si

Christmas Eve was the perfect day for a family hike. We drove to the trailhead of Little Si for an early morning hike. The trail was packed with families and children also enjoying the sunshine and beautiful weather. The ground was wet and muddy but no snow all the way up to the top. The highest point was at 1576 ft with incredible views. The fog started coming up just as we sat to enjoy our victory beers. 

my brother, sister-in-law and i 

my beautiful parents

incredible view

Mt. Pilchuck

Saturday, December 10th my brother Cody and I headed out of Seattle around 7:30 am to conquer Mt. Pilchuck in Mt.Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. The drive there was a little foggy but we had our fingers crossed that the air would clear so we could see the incredible view from the hike. We were unable to drive to the trailhead due to snow and ice conditions so we had to park and walk. The walk was approximately 30 minutes to the trail head. The skies ahead looked nice and clear. This hike was unlike others I had been on. A nice open, clear view throughout the forest with the sun trying to peak through. The climb was steady until about 2 hours into the hike. The snow cover increased but was packed down pretty well so it made it easy to walk along without snow shoes. As we continued to climb up the visibility became less and less and the snow began to fall. The vertical climb seemed to become steeper and steeper as we neared the lookout tower. Finally, we reached the top as the snow started to fall heavier. Inside the tower we took a break to eat our sandwich and rest up. After about 20 minutes we opened the door up to start on down and the snow was falling faster and the fog a little heavier. Unfortunately, we had no views of the surrounding mountains or forest. The hike back down took about a third of the time it took to get back up. Sliding down from trail to trail made the trek so much more enjoyable. We ran into about 4 other groups heading to the top around 1 pm. We were unsure why they were heading up so late in the day especially since the visibility was so bad. After approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes and 5,340 ft we made it back to the trial head safely. Enjoy the photos below.. 

Our view from the trailhead.

on the way up

At the lookout tower.

Beautiful shot of my brother over looking the cliff. 

Sliding down the mountain. We felt like we were 12 again, riding the 'laundry shoots' in our back yard. 

Whiteout conditions on the way down

Drinking fresh water from the waterfall. 

Thank goodness this wasn't us.