Hike: Anti-Aircraft Peak

Hike: Anti-Aircraft Peak (WA)
Shared by Arlene

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Erratic is a term which usually implies wandering or deviating from a course, but a Fantastic Erratic is the name of a large rock, left by glaciers in an unexpected place – on Cougar Mountain near Anti-Aircraft Peak. Because it was left in the rainy Pacific Northwest, this Fantastic Erratic, now covered in the moss and ferns, is beginning to look like it belongs here.

Erratic is also a good word to use for the way in which we approached today’s hike. Our plan was to go about 4 miles (600’ elevation gain), but with a brand new GPS giving us current data as we hiked, we were continually challenged to add just a little more distance and find a route to add just a little more elevation. We ended the day with 6 miles and 2000’ feet of elevation and wandered in multiple directions up and down the slopes of the mountain.

Northwest winter weather is also erratic; we started the day with a few snow flakes and ended in bright sunshine with a lovely view of Lake Sammamish.

All the trails were in great shape; the mud holes were few and easily traversed. We have come to love the different bridges that are created to help hikers cross water. We especially liked this one made from fallen trees.

Despite the evergreen mosses and ferns in the Pacific Northwest forest underbrush, most shrubs and flowers are dormant right now; it still is the dead of winter. So, I was quite surprised to pass a scene of swelling buds, ready to open, despite the cold and still dark days. It was a very hopeful sight, but one might say it’s a wee bit erratic.