Pine and Cedar lakes Trailblazer hike

Today's hike was a bit of a mystery. We all got emails from our chief correspondence person "Ginny" telling us our fearless leader "Pat" wouldn't be at today's hike as he has a sinus infection and has a shoulder issue in need of PT. I was disappointed because I haven't been on a Trailblazer hike since September's Heliotrope/Hogback hike. I've missed our group and our leader. So our task for this morning was to pick a hike and hopefully someone would step up to lead the hike. 

I came with a list of possibilities but was eager to hear what others thought would be fun for the day. We talked about some and thought they might be better for another time, so I said "what about Pine and Cedar lakes". I picked it because it is about the distance  we like and it has a good ascent, so we would feel like we had put in a good day's hike when we were done. It's also an in and out hike (basically) so we would have to work really hard to get lost hee hee. 

That would be all Pat would need to hear that his flock had all gotten lost in the woods.

We took a vote and agreed our destination would be to Pine and Cedar lakes.

Marjan took on the task of leading all 14 of us up the leaf covered trail.

As we walked up the trail I spotted this little babbling brook and thought it sounded lovely, so I took a video. 

Enjoy -

https://youtu.be/0k0FRbYrkd4

As we walked on to Pine lake the lush fern filled forest gave way to a bare forest in comparison.

Our first peek at Pine lake.

A cute out house sign attached to the bog board trail to the camp area at Pine lake. We walked to the camp area and since it was still early we decided to head back to Cedar lake for lunch.

Marjan waiting to lead us to Cedar lake.

Our nice lunch spot complete with log benches.

Thanks to Barb for taking this picture - 

After lunch we continued walking around the lake.

Instead of going back to the main trail the way we'd come, we took the view trail. 2 of our group went back to the main trail instead of going up the trail, they wanted a gentler return. When we got to the viewpoint there was a great view of Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters covered in a new blanket of snow in the distance.

We all made it back to our cars safe and sound. It sure was nice to be back with these friends once again.

Godspeed Fearless leader "Pat" may you join us again soon. 

Endomondo stats -

total miles - 6.50

minimum altitude - 229 feet

maximum altitude -1765 feet

total ascent - 1867

total descent - 1877