Vedder Mt.

Dec. 20, 2024

Stats: 15.2 km / 772m gain / 613m high / 4:25 hours MT

No need to drive anywhere. This hike started right from our backyard. Private trails led up to an FSR and then to a viewpoint overlooking Sumas Prairie. I post this hike to the club twice a year and end the excursion with goodies at my house.

Once we crossed the railway tracks at the base of the mountain, we started the climb on Lucky's Trail (named after our neighbor who created it). The creeks flow year-round from underground springs.

After about an hour through the forest, we then walked another hour on an FSR. At the old barns we branched off to the right onto a more overgrown FSR.

Cerrena Zonata Hairy Curtain Crust

Columbia Valley & International Ridge -- south.

Silver Lake in Washington lies in the back of this valley -- southwest.

Late Fall Oyster mushroom Foxglove

11:15am (started at 8:45am) we arrived at the broad viewpoint -- west.

The small community of Arnold was closest to us -- northwest.

Oakmoss Witches' Butter

Usually we have lunch there but the wind was too cold so we backtracked into the forest a bit.

White Domecap

Regrouping on Lucky's trail.

Group shot, back row, left to right: Danny G, Case T, Cal F, Brigitte G, Sheri K, Johnny G, Deborah B, Paul L, Jan S

Front row: me with my granddaughter, Penelope, Christina Marie, Terry B with Lacie, Lori B + Maureen S

And then everyone came in for my traditional homemade desserts: praline pumpkin pecan + apple tart.

Lauri and I had been talking about rainbows during our hike. And guess what happened as the sun was setting?