Would this be the year that I actually make it all the way to the Portals? After our backpacking trip this week we decided to do a good, long day hike today. We had tried to get to the Portals last year and nearly made it, but turned around just short of going up the last stretch. You can read about that trip HERE.
We got an early start today, leaving our house at 7:30 this morning. We left the parking lot for the trail by 9am. It was a beautiful, clear sky day for hiking.
The wildflowers were still plentiful.
We were surprised by how many snow fields we had to cross today. The snow was soft and the footing was good, so no issues crossing them.
We saw many goats today, 9 along the trail towards the Chain lakes/Ptarmigan ridge junction. Then we saw around 30 near the little lake along the Ptarmigan ridge trail.
The photo below shows our destination. The Portals are on the right below Mt. Baker.
A closer photo of the Portals. We would be hiking to the left one. Right to the end,
but first another snow field crossing.
and about a 1/2 mile up to the top.
Walking along the spine of the Portal trail.
Mt. Baker
Looking at the Portals.
Our proud moments on the top.
At the Portal
A perfect day, I will always remember.
Endomondo stats:
total miles hiked - 12 miles
minimum altitude - 5006 feet
maximum altitude - 6472 feet
total ascent - 2503 feet
total descent - 2694 feet
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