I did this climb after work on Tuesday. It is not considered a difficult hike, gaining 2200 elevation over about 2.5 miles (so around 5 miles round trip), but it was a pretty steady grind up. We had a picnic dinner at the top with it's 360 views, watched the sunset from those big boulders as it turned orange and red over over puget sound, enjoyed the fullmoon in a sky reflecting crazy colors from the sunset and then hiked back down in the dark (headlamps).

Turns out, there is this whole amazing world out there for people who are fit enough to find it!

My friend hasn't shared photos yet, so this is a stock photo of the lookout we climbed to. Only the last part was the boulder scramble most of it was a true hike.

For you locals - this is Mt Pilchuck and the peak is at about 5300 feet.

That is awesome! What a gorgeous place!

Beautiful. How fun! I wish we had mountains around here. Isn't it fun being fit and active?

That is so cool Jane, I'm having some of those experiences as well. Like a whole new world to discover.

A whole other world out there

hey bud

don't see enough of you

of course when we do see you we are "seeing less and less of you

i love reading all your posts filled with your new found happiness and excitement

never look down - i see you are only going up, up and up some more

health and fitness are such a "high" (little pun with climbing the mountain )

Life is good

kathy

Nice! Mt Pilchuck is such a great, and very popular, hike at the entrance of the mountain loop highway. It is in my back yard, literally; I can see it from my window. You might also like the hike on the other side of the valley called goat flats (three fingers). Or if you travel east on the mountain loop highway to barlow pass, mount Dickerman and gothic basin are quite beautiful hikes and a tad more challenging. Glad to see posts like this from fellow hikers!

I have taken up birding and photography. I have been going on more hikes, and river walks at wildlife refuges and other natural parks in northern California. It is really spectacular. There is so much to this world that I have never seen before.I had the opportunity to hike in the South Island, New Zealand a few years ago. Lots of hiking up Glacier valleys and lots of beaches. I'm sure I could do much more now post WLS! My husband has taken up adventure motorcycling and is game to go out with me for some adventure.

That's awesome. I love to hike. Sadly the highway overpasses are the highest peaks around here. But I still get out on the trails every chance I get.

This is such a beautiful place. I live the scene and want to go hiking now.

Skinny life is grand! Good for you.

That is really amazing. What a gorgeous picture!

I really admire you for taking on such a hike!

Wow! I'm proud of you! I may be skinny, but I'm still uncordinated and the boulder scramble would be very intimidating for me! Also, any super steep paths worry me going down, not up. I've slipped a few times over the years, including a nasty break on Angel Island on Labor Day weekend many years ago. They had to haul me off in a boat. So embarrassing!

Lynda

Wow! I'm proud of you! I may be skinny' date=' but I'm still uncordinated and the boulder scramble would be very intimidating for me! Also, any super steep paths worry me going down, not up. I've slipped a few times over the years, including a nasty break on Angel Island on Labor Day weekend many years ago. They had to haul me off in a boat. So embarrassing!

Lynda[/quote']

Yup, Lynda, I agree. These "older" bones aren't As agile as I once was and as I've aged I've become much more scared! I NEVER thought I would be but... Well, the consequences look greater, I think! Lol. Casts and such! Hee hee. Great walking trails and bicycling is about the limit.

I did this climb after work on Tuesday. It is not considered a difficult hike' date=' gaining 2200 elevation over about 2.5 miles (so around 5 miles round trip), but it was a pretty steady grind up. We had a picnic dinner at the top with it's 360 views, watched the sunset from those big boulders as it turned orange and red over over puget sound, enjoyed the fullmoon in a sky reflecting crazy colors from the sunset and then hiked back down in the dark (headlamps).

Turns out, there is this whole amazing world out there for people who are fit enough to find it!

My friend hasn't shared photos yet, so this is a stock photo of the lookout we climbed to. Only the last part was the boulder scramble most of it was a true hike.

For you locals - this is Mt Pilchuck and the peak is at about 5300 feet.[/quote']

Beautiful!! And congrats on your achievement! I used to live in Marysville a long time ago. Beautiful area!!!!