[Click on photos to enlarge.]
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| Western trillium (trillium ovatum) |
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| Bleeding heart (Dicenta formosa) |
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| Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) |
New spring leaves created a bright green canopy overhead.
They really were that green! Trails are well-marked and
maintained by volunteers.
maintained by volunteers.
Though most of the trails took us through forest, this one overlooked an open area that was once a clay pit.
We crossed this narrow plank over a creek in single file.
Thank heavens for the sturdy railing!
Lunch break at Coal Creek Falls.
Here's our route.
Here's a little history of the park and a reminder of the Cold War years:
In the 1950s and early 60s, two active Nike missile sites were located within the park’s current boundaries, in order to protect the Puget Sound region from potential air attacks. Eventually, these sites were decommissioned, and in the late 1960s, King County took over ownership of the land that would later become Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
More info about this park (a colorful brochure) HERE
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Your photos are excellent. They make me feel as if I'm in the forest with you. I love the smell of a forest and the absolute quiet that isn't really that quiet once you get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your Spring shots as we slide slowly into a Sydney Autumn.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brona Joy and Margot. For me, part of the fun of hiking is taking photos of all the beauty I see around me. I love the feeling of using my muscles to get me where I want to go, too, even though sometimes it's a strain. With this group, I can walk by myself and enjoy the quiet or hike along with someone and have a nice conversation. It's been such a wonderful new interest for me, and I'm looking forward to more adventures.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I always have my camera with me.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots! I love the ones with water, especially. Thanks for sharing...and enjoy! And thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos and that bleeding heart is simply stunning. I have always been taken with the delicacy of that flower!
ReplyDeleteThe trillium is stunning. I love Bleeding Hearts too, but the one's I have seen are two colored. I am envious of your hikes. I do not think my feet and ankles would take me 8 miles. In fact, I know it! Enjoy! Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteGrammajudyb: I have two types of bleeding heart plants in my backyard. One has pale pink blooms (like the one in the photo) and the other has a bright pink heart with a white "drop." Based on what I saw on my hike, the pale pink one is native here.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow...I am just drooling over your photos! Looks like a fabulous hike through a gorgeous area! I really MUST get to Washington one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your adventures - enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Sue
Book By Book
Spring flowers. Cool bridge. Waterfall. What a perfect hike.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great walk. I love the close ups of the wild flowers. I am always slightly shocked that a lot of the children at my school have no idea about the names of flowers, even the more common ones.
ReplyDelete