Tag: Mount Zion

• S-NOOOOO

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on November 24, 2016

  My hiking adventures are coming to a stand still. Not permanently, but I can’t say I’m a fan of the snow and the white blanket of death is upon us.

  

  

  He loved it. I did not. Snow was not expected when we ventured to the mountains last week, but neither was getting stuck in the mud. The weather was dreary, but that’s not enough to stop me from an adventure. The plan was to explore a new trail, but plans quickly changed.

  The gravel road to the planned trail head was in terrible condition. We’re talking multiple mini lake like potholes, and soft mushy earth. This spells disaster when driving a car not equipped for the mountains. Fear swept through my body the entire time we attempted to find the trail head, fear we wouldn’t get past the mini lakes, fear we would glissade in the soft earth losing control of the vehicle and plummeting down the narrow side of the mountain, and fear the car would get stuck.

  Then, the latter happened. 

  

  After ten-ish minutes of heightened driving, the car got stuck in the mud. Momentary panic passed through our bodies, and after a few pedal to the metal attempts we were able to slip and slide out of the mud. We decided it was best to go to a trail we knew would be less sketch. With Jesus music blasting, and only a few external screams (with many, many internal screams) we made it back to the main road.

  Praise. 

  A tried and true trail, Mount Zion is not a difficult climb. 4.6 miles RT and a mere 1300′ gain, with the max elevation at 4274′. Typically I find that snow hits around 4500′ and above, but I stand corrected. Among all the snow was an abundance of Usnea, aka Old Man’s Beard. Known for its effects against certain bacterium, it can be used to fight sore throats, skin infections, inflammation, and more.

  So we ate some, because why not? 

  

  and yet, he’s wearing shorts.

  Quick and to the point, this trail provided just the right amount of burn. The snow covered the top completely (more so than in these photos), but there was only about an inch. Nothing we couldn’t trudge through. Any higher in elevation and a change of shoes would have been necessary. I begrudgingly accepted that winter is here.

  One perk of winter – my Friday evening commute, which gives me the below view. 

  

  We shall see how many more hikes I attempt above 4k’ this winter. Never say never.

  Q: Do you like snow? 

  

  | 70 Comments Tagged Hike, Mount Zion, PNW, Winter

• Since You’ve Been Gone

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on August 24, 2016

  *Two weeks later*

  I didn’t plan to disappear from this space for so long, but whenever I had a free moment the last thing I wanted to do was bust out my computer. I now know what it’s like to want nothing to do with technology at the end of the day.

  

  I go from work, where I stare at a computer all day (I do have a standing desk though, so that’s a big fat sugary win) to my house where I then stare at the computer for school work. Needless to say when I have some free time I am outside starting at trees.

  

  Work, work, work, work, work.

  So what have I been up to the last two weeks?

  —I got to meet Annie, her sweet partner Kel, and her adorable pup Ike. We had lunch, and walked around a lovely Seattle lake. We chatted like old friends and she gifted me the most adorable painted photo of Ike. What really sold the deal was when she suggested the photo below. She’s good people…and those curls are too legit.

  

  —I made an executive decision to do 90% of my shopping at thrift stores in an attempt to further expand my minimalistic mind. I was able to find some solid wins. The other 10% is usually at REI, they always suck me in.

  —My camping compadre Jessica and I escaped to Mount Zion yesterday. She’s the kind of girl that keeps you grounded, the kind that you just need in your life. Always a fun adventure with that one. This trip didn’t involve stripping and spooning, so it was much more casual than our last adventure.

  

  

  —I bought and returned two new Garmin watches. I just couldn’t let go of my original true love. I now have the mindset of “earning back” $440 so I will probably spend that on camping gear.

  —I had two awesome solo hikes where I found myself mesmerized by a lake at the end of each of them. I looked like Mowgli when he first met Kaa, only the lake wasn’t singing to me. I went to Annette Lake and Snow Lake. Snow lake always steals the show though.

  

  

  

  This is the kind of view that has you questioning why there are people in the world that dislike being outdoors. I found a dime on this hike which makes for the second time I’ve found money while hiking.

  

  Annette lake it great too, but not nearly as photogenic. I did however encounter an extinct inter-species love affair. Only in the woods…

  

  — I didn’t run a single time, and loved every moment of it.

  — I ate a non vegan cinnamon roll and loved every moment of that too.

  

  — I finished and started two semesters for school in a matter of a few days. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  — I spend 10 days with Gizmo the cow dog and was like a 12 yr old child when reunited with my cat. #catladyforlife.

  

  —Went against everything I said in my opening paragraph and watched at least six hours of Netflix. Mindless computer time doesn’t count.

  Q: What’s your current Netflix binge?

  

  | 82 Comments Tagged Adventure, Annette Lake, Explore, Garmin, Gizmo, Hiking, Mount Zion, Snow Lake, Starbucks

• Mount Zion

  Posted at 6:30 AM by Brittany, on April 12, 2016

  After searching for Mount Zion on the Google, I discovered this is a hugely popular name for a mountain. There is a Mount Zion in Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, California, Washington, and Jerusalem. While I’d rather have explored the hills of the latter location, I ventured to none other than Mount Zion in Washington.

  

  A new to me climb, this short and relatively easy hike was somewhat hard to find. I always make a pit stop at the ranger station and ask for directions to unfamiliar territories, and to use the bathroom. I drink a lot of water.

  

  The head ranger was on a bike run to the post office (small town living – I love it) and the ranger left behind was new. Like, brand new. He was unfamiliar with the area so I tried my best at following a drawn map, but as a woman I prefer verbal directions with step by step turns. Trying to follow drawn out lines and squiggles is like trying to decipher what Jabba the Hutt is saying without subtitles.

  

  After an hour of driving the area (and finding lovely sights along the way) we finally found our destination.

  This climb will be a fantastic addition to my solo hike list. The trail follows a ridge like edge with views of the surrounding mountains, all while maintaining a secluded canopy from the trees. The final view is only visible to those that can channel their inner billy goat. A scramble up a semi awkward rock provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding hills.

  Oh me, oh my.

  

  Life doesn’t always go smooth, and we usually don’t have written directions for how things are supposed to be done. Life maps often look like a series of hieroglyphics and I was born in an era that uses words over pictures.

  Instead of focusing on the troubles of getting lost, it’s up to us to focus on the journey along the way. All we have is now, so why dwell on what we don’t have?

  

  Post climb and life reflection I had a void in my stomach that could be filled by none other than Vietnamese food. My third time in one week. I have no shame.

  

  My theme for this week is to stop focusing on problems I cannot fix. Without hoops of fire to jump through life would be rather boring, don’t you think?

  Q: Do you choose to enjoy the journey, or focus too much on the future? I’m all about the now.

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Mount Zion, Olympic Mountains, Vegan

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