Fragrance Lake #48
I have not done any hiking lately because the weather has been absolutely crazy...wind storms, rain, hail etcetera. Plus every weekend we have had something going on. But today I had no work and L had no work, B had to work and the kids had school. So L and I went hiking! I arrived at her house and I told her to surprise me about a hike, because I had no clue on what to do. We climbed into her car and decided to go to Fragrance Lake. Years ago we hiked to Fragrance Lake when H was a little guy and Miss A was a baby, and we did not go all the way around the lake.
We parked at the upper Larabee State Park parking lot. As you can see from the picture below we had the whole parking lot to ourselves, there was only one other car there besides us, so the crazy weather helped in keeping everyone away. It was slightly raining and windy.
We parked at the upper Larabee State Park parking lot. As you can see from the picture below we had the whole parking lot to ourselves, there was only one other car there besides us, so the crazy weather helped in keeping everyone away. It was slightly raining and windy.
We left the car and headed to the Interuban Trail that runs along Chuckunut Drive. You can see the road in sections along the way.
The trail runs along the fence of Larabee State Park.
The Interuban Trail is very flat and very wide, and the whole section that we were on was gravel.
The Fragrance Lake Trail for us started on the right side of the intersection.
The fencing was a very tight fit to get through. Definitely can't fit a bike through it.
This section of the trail was pretty flat. But looks are deceiving.
I like burls, I think that they are the coolest thing ever.
And trees that remind me of a sling shot.
Here the trail quickly started to climb.
There are numerous switchbacks along the way.
I tried to get a picture of how steep the trail is, but the pictures don't do it justice.
This is so cool, makes me think of some alien life form.
Another view of it.
This tree made me think that the bark was melting off.
A flat section!
We stayed to the right of the "T", and decided that we would do the view point on our way down.
A little stream crossing.
This was down on our left side of the trail.
So pretty.
The trail is very well maintained the whole way.
A section of the trail that is more open.
Hello!
This part of the trail was foggy, and it started to drizzle. If you don't live in Washington, we have numerous names for rain.
Seriously what is the point of a bench that is so low to the ground? Or is it a diving board to jump into the sword ferns and down the drop off?
Fungi....does anyone know what this kind is called?
Make sure to stay right!
Found a nurse tree, well actually you can't miss it.
We decided to stay to the right.
I have not seen the painted rocks on a trail before. It was kind of fun to spot.
This is the spot were we turned around years ago.
Such a pretty view.
I am a tree among the trees!
A bridge of any kind is always fun to cross,
no matter the size.
L spotted the salamander eggs, they are the little white things on the ball.
Anyone want to do some climbing?
There were quit a few bridges along the trail, this was the last one around the lake that
went over a wetland. Skunk cabbage is so smelly, but I think it is pretty.
I think that this is my favorite picture from the entire hike. Burls are cool, and then to be covered in this kind of moss equals amazing.
Don't forget to stop at the view point!
It is a very short distance away and worth the view.
See what I mean? The trees were bending down from the wind, but you can't really see that in the picture.
Currants are so pretty.
Saw this tree almost back to the parking lot.
Even with the bad weather we had an amazing time, the trail almost to ourselves (we only saw a handful of people.). Plus the 5.4 miles and about 1100 feet elevation gain was nice for us to start our training for the Pacific Crest Trail this summer!
Until next time!
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