After a morning wake-up call on the stairmaster at Windy Ridge viewpoint, headed to the Norway Pass trailhead. Skies were blue, bugs few, birds abundant, and colors abounded along the trail. It seemed like a place that time forgot since many wild flowers were still in bloom (including paintbrush) while the shrubbery blazed in their finest autumn reds and yellows. With the many white flowers and red leaves and blue sky, it was all very patriotic. Hiked 5.5 miles to a viewpoint of St Helens Lake. Below Mt Margaret a herd of elk stood on a rocky ridge. During my drive through Mt St Helens Monumet, my jaunt up and down the hlll at Windy Ridge, and my 4.5 hour hike at Norway Pass, I saw no one until my drive out when I passed a couple at the first viewpoint. I had the whole park to myself (not counting the forestry workers and their helicopter)... very odd for it being such a sunny and cool day with the colors and views on the trails so grand.
Comments