Heliotrope Ridge hike

 Today's hike was to Heliotrope Ridge. I'd been on this hike nearly 30+ years ago for the first time, then with the Senior Trailblazers twice: once we went to the Ridge in 2015, you can read that post HERE and the next time 2016 we went up the Climbers route, the Hogback. You can read that post HERE.

Anyway for today's journey. I was hoping we'd get some clear weather since our last couple of hikes have had limited views. It's not too much of a wish for cool temps is it? Cool temps help our dog and keep the creek crossing lower. We got all of my wishes!

Beginning of hike photo.

Signing in at the register, along with our adventure dog Scoutina.

Sights and scenes from the trail.

This creek runs under the bridge in the above photo.

Our first long distance mountain view. I was so excited to see anything so of course here's a photo.

Creek crossing.

Scoutina loved all of the water on the trail.

A photo of the creek crossing without husband or dog.

First view of the glacial moraine.

This waterfall is part of the creek we had just crossed over a few switchbacks below.

Another creek crossing.

More long distance views.

First views of the Glacier and Mt. Baker.

Mt. Baker

Paintbrush

A larger creek crossing.

Heading to yet another creek crossing. These last two crossing were the largest and fastest flowing. My husband did a great job of finding safe places to cross. We didn't care if our feet got wet so we didn't rock hop, we just plunged in and walked across them.

After making our way up to the ridge we finally got our closer up views of Coleman Glacier.

Heading back down after our lunch break on the ridge. More sweeping views.

Waterfalls were plentiful.

Monkey flowers

Back to our crossings.

My husband and our adventure dog "Scoutina".

Finally found a heart rock on the trail.

I always have to stop and admire the big old trees.

The view of the backside of that same tree. It had grown over a log which had rotted away. This open gap wasn't visible on the other side of the tree.

We stopped on our way down to sit for a bit and Scoutina found just the perfect stick to chew on.

Creek crossing warning sign at the trailhead.

Loved the colors on the bushes at the parking lot.

As we were beginning our drive out we were treated to this view💓

Trail rating: Moderate, but I would assess it as Moderate/Hard

Total miles hiked: 6.3 miles

Total ascent: 1686 feet

Boundary Way/Cowap Peak hike

 We chose Boundary way/Cowap peak as our hike this week, because we were just at this parking lot/trailhead last Thursday for our hike to Damfino lakes to Excelsior peak. I wanted to finish out this trailhead and do a hike I haven't done in 10 years. The last time I did this was October of 2014. You can read about that trip HERE.

Today's hike began as I said in the same parking lot. Our dog Scoutina patiently waited for us to ready our things for the hike.

Mandatory beginning of the hike photo.

Signing in at the register.

Last Thursday we continued straight for Damfino lakes, today we turned left towards Boundary way.

Many Boletus mushrooms were along the trail.

We reached the trail junction for Canyon ridge, we continues straight for Boundary way/Cowap peak.

We went through a nice opening with some ponds that didn't have much water in them.

The rock area where I always look for Pika or Marmots.

Our first view of our destination.

The open meadow was full of Fireweed and some other lingering flowers. 

We saw some Marmots in this meadow area.

The junction for Boundary way to the right, and Cowap peak to the left.

Looking out at the view before we headed up.

Time for the last up.

Finally after our climb we made it to our destination.

I'm standing on the trail at the top (at least as far as we went) in the photo below.

and a little closer.

Here's a photo from the same spot I'm standing at in the above photo. This photo below is from 10 years ago on a much better weather day and one with a view.

After a nice lunch break we began our downward journey.

Back to the meadow

and the Marmots

and the Fireweed.

Looking one last time at a place of memories, 10 years ago and today💓

We did see a Pika in the rockfall area on our return!

It's in the center of this photo, it blends into the rocks pretty good.

Making our way past the junction. I really took this photo of the signpost and the sign on the tree, but now I'm admiring the tree roots at the turn onto the Canyon ridge trail. 

It was a day of few views, but the views of that past trip 10 years ago are in my heart to stay.

Trail rating: Moderate, but I would call it Moderate/Hard

Total miles hiked: 5.35

Total ascent: 1424 feet