Trees to be Found
Time to make up for lost time. Barely more than an hour from home, the Middle Fork Snoqualmie has been a quick option for easy hiking here and there, but I've mostly ignored it. Although it's undeniably beautiful, I'd written it off as too heavily degraded by timber harvest, invasive species, and high traffic. Instead opting to drive farther for more secluded pockets of wilderness and bigger trees. This was foolish.
I took a gander out there again in late February, looking to see some snow on the mountain peaks, but not wanting to fight the throngs of people up in the pass seeking the more hands on experience. Although the snow level was a higher elevation than I'd hoped, I got my wish to see it on some far off ridges. But the trip highlight was an unexpected discovery of some hefty old trees that had somehow been spared by the axe, leaving me itching to come back and delve deeper.
At home, I poured over the internet searching trip reports and satellite imagery for more hints of surviving old growth. Incredibly, there was much to be found. With some willingness to struggle through the off-trail thicket, there are supposedly real giants out there. I'll be back soon.
A chance find 200 ft off trail. Couldn't tell for sure that it was such a behemoth until I was standing underneath it. My guess is 8-9 ft diameter.
Back on trail, the stumps took center stage. This doug fir was probably 5-6 ft diameter.
I climbed on top, thinking a selfie would help put it into perspective. It did not.
These worked a little better, but really you just had to be there.
At the top, the forest opened up for some beautiful valley views. With some nice cloud entertainment!
Got my fix of distant snow-covered peaks.
Tried to befriend a raven. No luck.
Got my plant fix as well. Stag's-horn clubmoss, always a cool find. Plus osoberry and salmonberry starting to flower.
And some views from the valley floor on the way out!
