Pine Lake, Raptor ridge Trailblazer hike

 I've been trying to figure out when to join the Senior Trailblazers on a hike again. My senior center membership has been paid for awhile now, but for one reason or another mostly health issues, or finishing my summer bucket hiking list, I haven't felt ready to join them. After attending a planning meeting last Friday I decided to take the plunge and go for it. My main concern now isn't the distance, but my speed. I don't want to be "that" person that they always have to wait for. The pace was brisk, but I was able to keep in contact with the person in front of me. We had no rest breaks except for clothing changes when we got either too warm or too cold and at trail junction locations. I was surprised by this but managed to keep up. It did limit my photo taking opportunities as I had to focus to keep my pace even with them.

I would call today's hike mod/hard but that wasn't the rating listed on our hike schedule.

Anyway I'm pleased with my efforts today. 

11 of us started at the north Chuckanut trailhead and hiked the Hemlock trail to the trail junction that led to Pine lake. There was a slight light rain when we began but that ended quite quickly and we were left with just trees dripping on us.

Nearly all the leaves have fallen from the trees and we were in a mossy, mushroom world today. I've always enjoyed being the last in the line when we hike. My pictures are usually looking at everyone from that perspective.

The little creek that flows under the trail had a nice waterfall today.

Continuing on the Hemlock trail.

After quite the uphill we came to the junction that would take us to Pine lake. The trail in the center is the Huckleberry trail, that is the one we returned on. We took the sharp left turn trail.

Making out way towards Pine lake.

We crossed the Pine and Cedar trail junction and turned right towards the lakes.

I've always loved this tree that is at the top of the Pine and Cedar trail hill.

Finally we came to the Pine lake trail sign post.

We stopped at Pine lake for our lunch on the little island. The sun came out briefly, but it was a bit chilly by the time we were ready to hike again.

As we made our way towards Raptor ridge we spotted several tree stumps that had the old logging "Spring board" slots in them. There were also old logging cables laying here and there on the trail.

As we made our way to Raptor ridge we passed by some great rock formations. The trail is right up at the base of the rocks. There are some rock steps visible.

A bit of blue sky welcomed us at the viewpoint.

We made our way to the Huckleberry trail and followed it to the Hemlock trail junction and made our way back to the parking lot on the same trail section that we started on.

Trail rating (according to our hike schedule): moderate

Total miles: 10.4

Total ascent: 2100

My first Trailblazer hike with group 2 (since 2016), hopefully just the beginning of many more outings with this group.