Washington Odyssey: Hikes near Mazama

June 29

That's Ma-ZAM-ma, pronounced like "Alabama." This day began our Mazama-based adventures, and I'll start by praising the Mazama General Store. There's a little bit of everything you might need crammed into this gem: books, medicines, soaps, and lotions, clothing, gear, backpacking food, real food, and advice. Joan and I received some very helpful recommendations about the hikes on our short list, and we scarfed down breakfast sandwiches, which they will grill for you so that you're having a hot meal along with your coffee or hot chocolate. They also have a side patio/sculpture garden to enjoy on sunny days.

Arriving back at the Freestone before Lyn and Elisabeth had finished their cook-in breakfast, Joan and I walked around the pond and observed several young birds, possibly phoebes, playing around one of the cabins.

Today's hiking goal was Cedar Falls. Because of the delayed spring, there were still several types of flowers blooming.

This next picture shows a trailside tree with moss, a tiny slice of the trail, and snow on the higher hills ahead.

Looking more closely, there's definitely still snow up there!

But always keeps scanning the side of the trail.

It's obvious why they call it Cedar Falls; the trees love this moist gorge.

The falls are a quick series of shorter but still impressive cascades, and the water was abundant. With a modicum of agility the hiker can reach a good viewpoint for two of the cascades.

Logs are thoughtfully provided, making this an excellent luncheon spot. 

June 30
Our choice for the next day was the West Fork Methow River Trail. (It's pronounced "MET-how".) One of the first features of this trail is a burned area from a 2003 fire.

We soon came to a log bridge over an engorged tributary of the Methow. It was high above the water, narrow, and without handrails.

Our party turned around, and switched our attention to the Robinson Creek Trail, a couple of miles east. The trail climbed rapidly into its side valley; from occasional side openings and avalanche chutes we could see rock formations on the other side.

At the start the trail was narrow and wet from capturing rivulets, but as we gained height the trail became much more pleasant. Our lunch and turnaround point was a surprise -- a creek crossing that had an incomplete replacement bridge to inspect!

Standing or sitting on the fresh planks gives a mesmerizing perspective as the water rushes straight towards you.

On our way back down to the trailhead, we admired several smaller-scaled glories alongside the trail.

Next, we ventured down a section of the Methow Community Trail, which winds miles down the Methow Valley to the next town, Winthrop. This upper section is a broad and comfortable avenue, as you can see.

 Our first encounter on the trail was an arts wall.

This retaining wall was decorated in 2002 by the 6th grade students.

Then we came up to the Tawlks-Foster suspension bridge. This sign got our puzzled attention.

How do the salmon get up on the bridge?

I recorded a video clip that, eventually, includes the bridge. It starts out gazing across the river, but once I carefully find the horizon, it pans left to include the suspension bridge.


On the trail beyond we found this gorgeous garter snake. Click to enlarge the photo, and see his/her red spots.

This hike wrapped up our second day in Mazama. After dinner our adventures were unexpectedly prolonged as we spent exciting time hunting meadow voles.

It began when I thought I saw something darting under the door between our condo and Lyn and Elisabeth's. Keeping a wary eye out, we soon saw more motion, and knew it was a small rodent of some kind.

How do you catch a vole? I tried a variation of our spider catch-and-release technique with success. Taking a large drinking glass, I lurked, waiting for the vole, who favored running alongside a wall instead of through the middle of the room. This habit allowed me to shove the glass against the baseboard as the vole dashed by, trapping him/her in the glass. Slide a flat metal spatula to cover the opening, and suddenly you have a vole transportation chamber. Our first vole was carried out into the foliage beyond the patio and released gently. The second capture, by Joan, was followed by a big toss and the vole traced a thrilling arc through the air, something to brag to his grand-voles about. At this point Elisabeth was laughing so hard she was gasping for breath. The third vole decided to vamoose and squeezed under the door to the outer hall (it didn't even slow him down).

On later inspection we could see that mousetraps had been deployed behind some of the furniture in both condos. The bait was all gone, however, and we notified the management when we checked out. There was, alas, no discount for our efforts.

Tomorrow, still based at the Freestone Inn, we would venture deep into the North Cascades.