Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Ashael Curtis and Annette Lake Trails


A few weeks ago we were on our way to eastern Washington and decided to do a bit of hiking on the way since the weather was so nice.  We chose to hike two trails from the same trailhead, first the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail, a very short trail, only half a mile, with almost no elevation gain.  We were happy we did not pass that by since we found along the trail an orchid that we had not seen before in the state, though we had seen it elsewhere, the Pad-leaved Orchis, Platanthera orbiculata.  We even found a few plants with flowers that, though nearly finished, were still recognizable.


Pad-leaved Orchis




We found another orchid, too, the Giant Rattlesnake Orchis, Goodyera oblongifolia, that one also still in bloom.  The main attraction of the trail, however, were the old growth Douglas Firs, Western Hemlocks and Western Red Cedars.  The down side of the hike was the noise from the constant traffic on Interstate 90, something we could not avoid since the trail is very near the highway.  We are used to hiking the back country and used to the quiet there.  In any case it was a worthwhile stroll through an area we had not seen before.

Asahel Curtis Nature Trail



 nurse log




 Giant Rattlesnake Orchis


Finished with the nature trail we hiked away from the highway and the traffic noise along the Annette Lake trail.  This trail was 7.5 miles round trip with 1400 feet elevation gain and it took us to a beautiful mountain lake at the foot of Abiel and Silver Peaks.  There were not many wildflowers still in bloom but the hike was pleasant and took us through more old growth forest, across Humpback Creek with its beautiful falls and across an old railroad grade known as the Iron Horse trail and a popular place for mountain biking.  Finished with the hike we continued on our way.

the trail



Humpback Creek falls




the trail





fallen log bridge



Western Red Cedars


first glimpse of the mountains



Bolete mushroom


Humpback Mountain


Big-leaf Maple


Humpback Mountain


bark



Humpback Mountain


old rockslide




Fireweed


Aspen


the trail


Annette Lake










Western Hemlocks

2 comments:

klaraau01 said...

Your pictures are breathtaking, thank you for sharing the beauty

Ron said...

Thank you, my friend, for stopping by and commenting.