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Saturday, May 14, 2016 Despite today's cloud cover there was little rain in the forecast so off we went.  Our first destination was the Beaver Lake Trail. ' An easy hike on an old railroad bed, this oft-overlooked trail serves up plenty of surprises. Travel alongside the Wild and Scenic Sauk River, admiring eagles, mergansers, and kingfishers. Watch dippers flit on river rocks. Listen to thrushes bring the surrounding forest alive in song. Pause on open banks to take in sweeping views of surrounding peaks. Marvel at ancient giant cedars. Locate relics of past logging and railroading activity. And of course enjoy the wildlife-rich wetland known as Beaver Lake.'

Beaver Lake Trail

What a lovely start to the hike - a gazillion shades of green.


Dainty wildflowers decorated the edges of the path.


Clumps of Bunchberries grew along the way too.


Salmonberries glowed against the deep green.


As we went along the path narrowed.  That's Tim at the end of the path, for scale.


This tree reminded me of the apple-throwing trees in the Wizard of Oz.


Onward we went, with the sound of rushing water getting louder.


Here we are on a small bluff overlooking the fast-running Sauk River.
We turned around here as the trail became very treacherous-looking.

The Ice Caves Trail

We decided to carry on to Big Four Mountain, a picnic and the Ice Caves Trail.
Along the way we spotted a few Trilliums beside the Mountain Loop Highway.


I was delighted to see some Yellow Wood Violets as well.


A gorgeous Western Tanager greeted us at Big Four.


Here's our lunch view - Big Four Mountain.


After last year's deaths in the Ice Caves, new signs have been placed strategically.

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