Whistle Lake, Anacortes Forest Lands

This is a pretty lake and the hike around it is easy.  Probably about 3.5 miles with a little upward climb on the back side.  Pretty rocky balds and nice secluded places to sit and eat lunch.  Lots of kids, young adults, and families swim in this lake.  The young adults leap from the rocks and land in the water 20 or 30 feet below.  It looks fun, but I wouldn't do it.  There is also a flat area that looks like an old parking lot when you first get to the lake (taking the left branch).

I like this lake for the reflection shots I can take while hiking around it.  I use these for my paintings.  See www.nancycanyon.com  There are beautiful reflections of alders, rocks, lilies, and Madrona trees.  Just the sky reflection and the wind ruffling the surface is spectacular.

The last time I hiked, I slipped on a mossy rock and went down on my right hip.  It was a dumb fall...I didn't have my poles and I wore my running shoes that had worn smooth in the heel...bald shoes.  From now on, I'll wear my hiking boots.  I think doing Pilates has strengthened me enough to give me bulkier muscles.  I hit just right, not to injure my bones.  Lucky me.

This lake is an easy to find.  You head into Anacortes, circling around the round-about, going straight up the hill away from the water.  When the road comes to a T...take a left.  Take another left at the cemetery entrance.  Follow around the cemetery and keep going to the end of the road. You'll see a sign for the turnoff to the left.  Follow the signs to Whistle Lake.
Enjoy,
Nan

Whistle Lake on a still day.

Where the kids jump off the rocks.

Beautiful lilies!

Madrona tree overlooking lake.

Church Mountain

The last leg of the climb is pretty steep, but doable.

I made it thanks to my REI poles and Pilates!

A friend and I climbed to the top of Church Mountain the last week of July. The turn off to the trail head is just past the utility sheds up Mt. Baker road.  The hike climbs at a reasonable rate three miles up to the meadows and another two miles (steeper) to the top where the lookout used to reside.  We set up camp in the meadows.  I rested a while, then climbed the rest of the way.  It's an amazing view, 360 degrees of mountain tops, distant valleys, the San Juan Islands.  Breathtaking!

I feel this climb to be a big achievement for me as a sixty-two year old.  I know lots of folks are stronger and have more stamina than I, but making longer and more difficult treks is helping me to grow stronger and to feel more confident.

Right now I'm having a astrological transit that's activating my Aries sun.  I believe the ram energy is wanting to climb.  I want to be at the top and look out over everything.  I'm even dreaming about standing on pinnacles and observing the land below.  Very interesting energy.  I suppose there is another way...looking a photos perhaps.  But Aries is a physical sign, so working the energy is a good idea.

We camped in the meadows where a stream ran through, tumbling down a waterfall where it disappeared into the woods.  To the west, where we set the opening of the tent, we had a perfect view of Mt. Baker.  To the east, beautiful rocky ridge in a c-curve.  Amazing. 

We heard marmots, picas, ravens, Douglas squirrels, flies, and mosquitos.  We saw no bear nor mountain goats.  Where we hung our food in a tree, a marmot was spotted.  Other than that, it was a quiet night with the exception of a little wind.  Perfectly clear with stars that you could dream on.  And in the night, the tent lit up.  I woke, thinking someone was outside with a lamp.  It was the moon rising...phenomenal.  

If you can get to wilderness, do.  It will rejuvenate you in a way that restores the soul.

Peacefully yours,

Traveling Nan   

Fragrance Lake

I've been hiking this summer, getting stronger, making it to the top of local peaks: Church Mountain, Yellow Aster Butte, Sky Line Ridge.  Shorter hikes have been good to, for instance, Frangrance Lake or Alger Alp both have a decent elevation gain.

Getting back into hiking has been important to me for several reasons.  For one:  It proves my strength as a woman over 60.  Another reason, achieving a goal builds my esteem. You know what they say:  Why do you climb the mountain?  Because I'm proving something to myself.  I can do it.

If I were to recommend a workout to a woman my age, or any age, first I'd say do some Pilates. Pilates will build your core strength and keep you steady on your feet.  Then walk every day.  Then, plan some short day hikes.  Something that you can do easily...say three miles around a small lake.  Here in Bellingham there's a local walk around Lake Padden that is about 2.9 miles.  It's stunning year around...though plan on some mud in winter and spring.

Then get the right gear.  Hiking poles have helped me immensely. I need them on the downhill to protect my knees.  Also, with Pilates, my arms are strong.  So using my arms to help my legs is easy.  I'm sore the next day, my feet, my back, my legs, but it's okay.  It's only about a week of soreness, and Ibuprofen or  Arnica helps with pain.  Buy good shoes.  And rain gear and tops that aren't made of cotton.

Now, most of us don't want more pain.  But with steady workouts, pain lessens with repetition.  The more I workout, the less I hurt.  I'm strong now and a climb, though difficult, sweaty, hard breathing, I'm doing it and loving it.  Getting to the top is worth it.

Old growth cedar stump!

Path around Fragrance Lake

Path around Fragrance Lake

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