Lincoln Rock State Park and the Rocky Reach Trail

This morning we went to Lincoln Rock State Park where we walked around the park, then walked about 1.2 miles down along the Rocky Reach Trail and back through the park for a 4 mile walk. Beautiful chilly day. The Park is located just upstream from Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River and is named for a rock formation across the river that resembles Lincoln' profile.

zoom towards Licoln Rock from the sign

We started by going to the north end of the park, enjoying views of the Columbia River as we continued walking downstream

zoom of Lincoln Rock

Views from slightly upstream above Rocky Reach Dam

Views along the Rocky Reach Trail below Rocky Reach Dam

Horan Natural Area and Walla Walla Point Park

We drove to Wenatchee Confluence State Park this afternoon to hike through Horan Natural Area (part of Wenatchee Confluence State Park) and continued on to Walla Walla Point Park before returning, overall 3.4 miles. We found out that the trails in Horan Natural Area that go along the Wenatchee River are close Dec 1- Mar 1, to protect wildlife, so we did some of the other trails in this area. View of the Wenatchee River from the bridge going over the river going to Horan Natural Area

Some views in Horan Natural Area

Views along the Columbia River in Walla Walla Point Park

Side channel of the Wenatchee River, view from our way back crossing the bridge

park sign

Pratt Balcony

This morning we did two hikes in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River area. Our second hike was to Pratt Balcony, 2.8 miles round trip with 600 ft of gain. Parkind is at the CCC Trail trailhead on the Middle Fork Road. The trail goes up the CCC Trail for about 1/2 mile, before turning to the right for the Pratt Climbing Area and the Pratt Balcony, there is no signage for the trail junction. The trail goes through a gorgeous forest up to the balcony where there are two different view areas. Views in the forest

The first viewpoint, looking across the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River to Russian Butte

The second viewpoint, looking through the trees towards Garfield Mountain, and a zoom of Garfield Mountain

We saw lots of hair ice and some fungi along the trail today

Oxbow Loop Trail

This morning we did two hikes in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River area. The first one was the Oxbow Loop Trail, we parked at the first trailhead, and then realized we needed to hike towards the second trailhead for a lovely viewpoint over the river, before returning and hiking the loop trail. Overall we hiked 1.7 miles with minimal elevation change. This is a beautiful hike in the forest! Views from the viewpoint above the Middlefork of the Snoqualmie River on the trail between the two trailheads, first looking towards The Pulpit, second one looking towards Russian Butte

This is a lovely forest with lots of luscious moss, ferns and trees

Along the loop trail, there is a side trail leading to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, first photo looking upstream, second photo looking downstream towards Russian Butte

Bridge crossing by Oxbow Lake and several views around Oxbow Lake

There were many great views of Russian Butte through the moss covered trees, here are a couple

Along the trail we also saw hair ice and frosty ferns, leaves and fungi