Fragrance Lake

Such fun to go on a hike with Piper (Kim Bonine's daughter) who is a sophomore at Western this afternoon to Fragrance Lake 

Piper with her two fabulous roommates Sienna and Molly 

some excellent forest bathing today! 

A Snowy Day on Cutthroat Pass

a snowy afternoon on Cutthroat Pass today 

Cutthroat Pass

the last of the larches 

socked in at the pass 

other pix from the weekend: 

Friday morning walk with Sifa 

Saturday morning run 

yellow! 

Saturday morning run- Part 1 

Saturday morning run, continued 

Saturday night by the fire 

Maple Loop

Maple Loop has got to be one of the most beautiful hikes around with so much bang for your buck (only 7.2 miles with such incredible vistas), and I'm so grateful we got to experience it today with Bill and Elizabeth. The trail report says this about this iconic hike: "If ever there was a hike to satisfy all a hiker's desires, this one comes as close as any. A loop hike with many fabulous changing faces throughout the seasons, Heather-Maple Pass features ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, lakes ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows." 

Lake Ann 

Rainy Lake 

Blue Lake 2026

We get to be in the Methow Valley this weekend with the Hutchinsons and Atkins, and Jason and I were grateful to get here early enough to squeeze in a hike to Blue Lake on the way to the Hutchinson's cabin. 

remnants of the larches along the way 

larch needles piling up at the edge of the lake

💛

Here are other times we have been to this lake in the past: 

September 11, 2025 

July 22, 2020 

August 24, 2014