Gold Creek Trail Snowshoe 2011

Group [L-R]: Danelle, Matt, Brenda, Brandon, Andrea, Andrew & Libby

Towno got a bit tangled.

Andrew, Libby, and Brenda.

Towno, Brooke, and Andrea.

Brandon would like a general caution to be noted regarding trying to walk backwards in snowshoes.

Matt had fun trompin' around!

Amazing how Towno can stretch his paws! Built in snowshoes!

Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day: looking up to Rampart Ridge.

Matt and Danelle.

The Hoard: Andrew, Brenda, Libby, Brooke, Brandon, Andrea, Towno, Matt, and Danelle.

Beautiful day!

Packing up after lunch. Towno shakin' off!

There couldn't be a more noble dog. Goofy, but noble!

Andrea and Danelle.

Keechelus Ridge Snowshoe

It's still full blown winter out here (in the mountains) so we're not too late to get in some more 'shoeing. We headed out past Snoqualmie summit to hike up to Keechelus Ridge.

With puppy in tow (or is that backwards?...who's walking who?) we must always remember his poop bags.


Townsend laughed as we strapped on our snowshoes. His are built in! It was funny to see his paws spread out for the whole trip. hey...it helped!


Just sniffing around. He loves trees.


Stay still for a picture?...I don't understand.


Now where exactly are we? Where is this ridge?


Taking a break


Guys! there's something down here!



Family photo:)


We finally made it up to the ridge.


There were some great views....but nothing compared to a clear day.


We all took a break. Brooke and Andrea munched on snacks. Townsend munched on branches.


Total elevation: 4469 ft.

It was fun getting out on a nice sunny-ish day.


Beautiful self portrait.


Back down the ridge and toward a warm car.

mt. hood

While visiting Portland for Brooke's conference this past week, Townsend and I took some time to escape to the Cascades. This was his first hike/snowshoe, and you would think a 15 week-old puppy would get worn out on a 5 mile hike...but this pup totally proved me wrong.

Setting off.


He took some time getting used to the snow. He ate plenty of the ice chunks...


and found some interesting objects along the way.


Isn't this supposed to be a little higher?


Finally, we were on our way.


We hiked out along Tillapus Lake at the base of Mt. Hood. This is the view looking up at the (clouded over) mountain.


I enjoy getting out in the winter. Fortunately it was a beautiful 50 degree day!


I love how green this state stays even in the winter.


Townsend and I, about half way through our hike.


Isn't he handsome?


We had a great hike and saw some awesome scenery. I guess we can call this trip successful.


Did I say he wasn't worn out after the trip?....yeah. He pretty much passed out the second we got back in the car.

Kendall Peak Lakes

went up into the cascades today for some snowshoeing. the snow was hard and crunchy [cascade concrete], but we felt a lot of freedom in the crisp cold mountain air.



we've had a spell of fog, so the lower elevations made our photos look a little antiqued.


not all snowshoeing is a walk in the park.


the art of nature is supremely beautiful. i don't think an artist could mix a shade of blue like the packed snow and ice revels in it's crevasses.


this is flocked tree nation.


perspectives are sometimes skewed. we wandered up to the 'little' snow covered three foot tree. after the snow melt, we would discover that we would actually be looking at the top of a twenty foot tree.

taking a break for cookies and frozen rivers...


and re-gloving.


the remaining half of mile of trail to kendall peak lakes laid of the other side of this blown out river bed. we could of crossed it, but were content in just basking in the beauty of the frozen ice.