Is there a hike more marvelous in July than any peak in the Old Cascades??
Five brave hikers set off on a warm/hot summer day to summit Middle Pyramid along the Old Cascades Trail. Most of us had hiked this trail back when it wasn't so steep. We were reminded why Bill Sullivan calls this hike "difficult". We trudged resolutely along, enjoying a lovely breeze, stopping to admire the flowers and the HUGE old growth trees (Hiker Dan made sure we learned to tell the Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Silver Fir, Noble Fir, Yellow Cedar apart. He has become a good teacher ). The glacial cirque below the summit was a marvel to behold.
After a rough and rocky scramble (which required some ungraceful moves involving hands and knees and butts), we arrived at the tiny site of the old lookout on top of the basalt plug. Dozens of butterflies celebrated out arrival and we marveled at views of all our snowy peak friends.
We all shed our boots and put our feet into the icy stream at the trailhead.
It was a 5 star day.
Becky Hickox, Elizabeth Seibert, Dan Moung, Ann Hanus and Mary Coleman, leader.
Elizabeth Seibert, Becky Hickox, Ann Hanus and Mary Coleman on top of Middle Pyramid.
Photo by Dan Moung
