Last weekend I spent Friday near Mt. Baker with Sparrow and a friend, hiking the Chain Lakes Loop trail.
Mt Shuksan (left) to Mt Baker (right)
Mt Baker
At the beginning the hike was fairly easy, and up and down jaunt with incredibly lovely vistas, wildflowers, and snowfields.
Mt Baker
On the Chain Lakes Loop
But after a while it became very steep, first a short up, then a long down. We congratulated ourselves on choosing to take the loop this way, in order to avoid taking this looooong uphill trek. But my friend kept telling me that it only meant we needed to go back up at some point. Alas, he was correct. We reached the Heather Meadows parking lot in the afternoon, flush with the absorption of all that beauty and fresh air, Sparrow relieved to finally stop, when we turned right, to head back to the Artist’s Point parking lot, and laid eyes on a nearly mile long staircase.
On the Chain Lakes Loop
Mt Baker
Mt Baker
Me and Sparrow at Mt Baker
Mt Baker
Mt Shuksan
Mt Shuksan
Table Mountain
Sparrow was so tired by that point that he took two steps up the stairs, paused, turned around, and began to head downhill. I could see the little thought bubble coming out of his head that said, “Screw that, lady! I’m waiting here. You go get the car and come back!” I made him walk the stairs with us, at points almost dragging him up, but we made it, and we were glad.