January is a humorous month within the Pacific Northwest. We needs to be within the throngs of winter however the month has earned itself the portmanteau of “Juneuary” as a result of the climate typically seems like a typical day in early June. A faux spring. We virtually hit 60 levels final week! However subsequent week we are going to dip beneath 30 levels with potential snow. The truth is, in my reminiscence, if we’re to get vital snow right here it will likely be on the finish of January or first half of February.
However first now we have to mess with Mom Nature sufficient that the bushes begin budding.
I used to be going by my Google photographs to delete, delete, delete and I came across a hike we did this time final 12 months to the Chuckanuts. Particularly, Blanchard Mountain. They sit north of me in Everett however south of Bellingham. They’re nice for a day I don’t wish to give totally to mountain climbing or if the avalanche danger is excessive. And because it occurred about the identical time final 12 months as our“Juneuary” climate this week, it was instance of how January is such a blended bag and it’s good to be ready for something!
It had been just a few years since I had been out to Blanchard Mountain so when there was a small window with no rain, we drove up for a 7.4 mile loop.
The Blanchard Hill highway was snow lined and slick in spots however we had been capable of make it to the Higher Trailhead (additionally snow lined), maneuvering round a downed tree on the intersection with the Samish Overlook highway.
The newish privy was good to see (and use) earlier than mountain climbing up B-1000 in the direction of the Alternate Incline. The horse trailer parking indicators additionally appeared new since I used to be right here final (2021?). There was additionally an indication warning “no new path development” in order that rogue path constructing should be a factor?
I had my spikes in my pack and will have used them however fortunately there was sufficient naked gravel that it wasn’t crucial. No views of Kulshan right now and I used to be saddened to see the logging, particularly butted up towards the stream subsequent to the Incline. Proof you’re on state land, I suppose.
And for the primary time, the hubs noticed an deserted automotive down in a ravine about .8 miles in, once more proof you’re on state land. It could have been my creativeness but it surely seemed like there might have as soon as been a spur right down to the place the automotive was simply previous the place we noticed it but it surely might even have simply been the place a logging truck had missed the primary highway.
Anywho, we trotted up the Alternate Incline which was principally naked however for just a few difficult patches of ice. The actual snow started as we approached the junction with the Lily Lizard Path and saved left for Lizard Lake. We paused right here solely briefly to take a look at the newest beaver exercise earlier than persevering with up the connector path in the direction of North Butte. I can’t say for certain but it surely seems to be just like the campsites have all been properly numbered since I used to be right here final (identical at Lily).
