Vedder Mt
- Jocelyn Timmermans
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
May 22,2-26 -- from my backyard
Stats: 15.35 km / 755m gain / 604m high / 4:05 hours MT
This was not a typical hiking excursion. For one, we broke the record for group size. A total of 33 attended my bi-annual backyard hike up Vedder Mt! For two, these are private trails created by my neighbour, Lucky. It was the first time we did it from my new house which cut the hike shorter by 10-minutes. And for three, I don't usually serve coffee, tea, beer and desserts afterwards.
I had the coffee ready to go, I just had to push the buttons as soon as I got back. Why the bell? With such a large group, it worked like a charm to get their attention. I use it every week to get my family on the dinner table.
As I mentioned in an earlier the post, this would be a more liesurely day. We waited longer at each junction to regroup and made good use of the walkie-talkies.
Welsh Poppy
We started the hike on the Lucky's Trail which wound steeply through the full foliage forest. Ahh the scents were so refreshing. In about 45 minutes we arrived at a third deactivated FSR where we turned right and then did two more rights on an active FSR that's accessible from the Cultus Lake side of the mountain. The last fork was by the old barn where cattle were grazing in a field with International Ridge in the background.
A tree tunnel.
Only 5 minutes before our destination, we took a few steps off of the FSR into the bush and onto a rocky bluff to get this viewpoint of Columbia Valley. Cultus Lake is to the left, just out of sight. Notice the US border to the right -- southeast.
Mt. Baker is hiding -- south.
Silver Lake to the distant right -- southwest.
Arrived. Sumas Prairie spread out before us.
northwest
Indian Paintbrush.
There was a constant flow of non-stop conversation throughout the hike. During our lunch break a robust crowd sang happy birthday to Irene, me + Owen.
southwest to northwest
Golden Ears and Robie Reid on the horizon -- north
Group shot, back row, L to R; Janice Olson, Eden Superable, Ingrid F, Paul L, Cindy W, Pat S, Patty S, David G, Peter F, Anne Marie Walsh, Owen W, Christine F, Elizabeth B, Tricia Thomson, Simon & Irene H, Patrick R, Don F, Brian H, Iraj F, Lonja J, Janice H
Front row; Eileen R, Dan K, Denise D, Kevin D, Terry B, Natalia Bolster, Dawn L, Karen S, Sheri K + me
I included the surnames of the newbies.
Little-Leaf Montia
This plane flew very low. The pilot was probably checking us out, as we were him.
Maiden Blue Eyed Mary
Wild Strawberry Branched Chamomile
Columbines
Back down at the barn some of us did a bit of exploring while we waited to regroup.
Broom.
Sheri & Kevin braved the rickety stairs. Anyone interested? My eldest daughter and husband own this 10 acre 15-year lease but are trying to sell it.
We took a less steep but a bit longer trail back down through the forest, stopping briefly at the campsite my son, Corwin made for his family.
We got back at 3:30pm, just in time for coffee, beer and my two most liked desserts: pumpkin pecan + carrot cake. Afterwards everyone got a tour of my house which my grandchildren call: Oma's castle.
Good times. Thanks to those who helped serve and clean up. My daughter, Chelsey had hung up birthday balloons on the outdoor porch posts while we were gone.
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