When: August 2011
Where: Kendall Katwalk at Snoqualmie Pass
With: my partner and our friend Mike
What: hiking
Accompaniment: Down by the Water by the Decemberists
For the second year in a row, I had to admit defeat on this trail. Iād come the year before on my own, and felt uncomfortable pushing through without company. We'd made it farther as a team than I had on my own, but as we trudged up a rocky screefield, the heat was getting to us. We didn't know how much farther it was to the "katwalk." Without trees or clouds for relief, the sun beat down on us. Our legs were tired. The fun hike had turned into a slog.
The trail climbs from Snoqualmie Pass, gradually at first, then up a steeper forested section before opening up to alpine flowers and screefields. It's six miles each way, a little farther than I'm usually up for.
Time to turn back.
Lush wildflowers lined the trail ā paintbrush, tiger lily, lupine, columbine, penstemon, some of those white flowers that all look kinda the same. To the south, Mount Rainier stood out from the other blue mountains through a faint haze. Although we didn't make it to the katwalk, it was hardly a failure.
When did you decide to turn back?
I still haven't ever hiked this whole damn hike š Thought Iād give it another go this year but Iām not in good enough shape š Tracy