Friday, August 24, 2018

Skookum Flats / Tipsoo Lake #Hike - #SaturdaySnapshot

Sometimes when plans have to be changed, the alternative ends up being just as much fun! Yesterday, the senior center had a hike scheduled for the Tipsoo Lake / Naches Peak Loop area of Mount Rainier National Park. However, as our van neared that elevation, clouds of smoke billowed in from wildfires raging elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Here's what that looked like. (Click on photos to enlarge.)



We did take the easy walk around Tipsoo Lake, and I captured the eerie scene. The temperature was 39 degrees! 





We all agreed it wouldn't be healthy to take a strenuous hike in smoky air (and besides, we wouldn't be able to see the beautiful scenery on the Naches Peak trail) so we went to a lower elevation and hiked on the Skookum Flats Trail.



Cleaner air, warmer weather, and a new trail for me. Sometimes things work out just fine!

If you're curious about the spectacular views from the Naches Peak Loop Trail, you'll find photos from last autumn's hike here: Naches Peak Loop Trail








Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 
To participate: 
Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

10 comments:

  1. I wondered about you hiking on Mt. Rainier given the smoke from the fires, but it sounds like your group found a great alternative!

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  2. We did, and we all enjoyed that beautiful forest. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

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  3. You're brave to hike at all in smoky areas. You got some great photos, especially the "eerie" reflective one.

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  4. The wildfires have kept us all fearful this year, as always. Great shots, though, and you got out safely.

    Thanks for sharing, and here are MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOTS

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  5. Judy, we weren't in the smoke for long. Our walk along the Skookum Flats trail was smoke-free.
    Laurel-Rain, we're lucky that we haven't been threatened by fires close to home. I can't imagine how scary that must be! We have had a lot of smoke, however, from Oregon, British Columbia, and eastern Washington. We're all hoping for rain.

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  7. Looks like you had a great alternative! Good pictures. I found a typo in my first comment so deleted. Ouch. That is what comes of not previewing.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by, Colleen. The group had a great time.

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  9. What a cool place. Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I love fog. It's hard to drive in these conditions, but it's wonderful.

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