Another hot day for Snoqualmie Peak. We had four new folks this week and we started them off on a steep one. We met a couple guys in the Alpental parking lot who used the tnab website for ideas of places to hike. It's amazing how many people have heard of the afterburners!
Anyway, we headed up the snow-free trail and people spread out fairly quickly. Gretchen and Joan, the responsible leaders, proceeded to leave the group behind and talk their way up the mountain. It seemed like a slow pace as the trail went up and up and there was very little breeze. The waterfall, unfortunately, was non-existent with only a couple small pools at the base. The top rewarded us with wonderful views of Snow Lake, Rainier, Stuart, Glacier and maybe Baker. We stayed as long as the bugs would allow and then headed down and down and down. The trail is either going up or down with no flats. Our knees were glad to reach the Alpental parking lot where we met up with Kelly and Stephanie again around 9 pm. Voice mail from Bruce said he missed the Snoqualmie turnoff and went to the top of Guye Peak instead. Damon missed the trail near the end and had a bit of a struggle getting through the bushes to join the rest of the group at the cars where they were fighting off the mossies and flies. The drive home was gorgeous with a lingering sunset and almost full moon.
--Joan
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