Vedder Mt

March 17 - in our backyard

Stats: 17.4 km / 888m gain / 618m high point / 5:50 hours MT

I post this hike several times a year and each time it seems to attract a larger crowd. Why? I'm thinking because it's local so there's less time spent driving, because its on private property so you don't have access to the trails on your own and maybe because of my homemade desserts afterwards.

This was a relaxing day, with frequent stops along the way. It felt like spring and was great to reunite with fellow hikers who'd hibernated from hiking during the winter.

This time we started out on the overgrown railway tracks, taking the shortest route to the largest Douglas Fir in the Fraser Valley. I figured it'd be better to do the shorter side trip first, when hikers were fresh.

This fir tree is 8' in diameter and 245' tall. How do I know? Because my son climbed it.

Our boys grew up in this mountain. Corwin's tree fort has seen better days.

Another creation of Corwin's, close to the tree.

Definately a homemade Timmermans bridge. The pull tight straps give testimony to this.

Cathy doesn't look so sure.

Just hanging around on Corwin's homemade swing.

Corwin did not build that ramp. It'd be awkward to jump onto it as it swings away.

Climbing up the steep Lucky trail (named after our neighbour who created it).

A viewpoint facing northwest over Sumas Prairie and McKee Mt.

Case had to attend a meeting first thing in the morning and Egburt, our visiting Dutchman, doesn't hike. So he came about an hour later. Judy hopped on for the remainder of the uphill.

A bit of old snow but no need for micro-spikes.

These next 3 photos are from left to right, southeast to southwest, from Cultus Lake and the Cheam Range to Columbia Valley, Mt. Baker and Silver Lake in the US to the far right.

At Ol' Baldy.

23 hikers! Left to right, back to front: Simon H, Frank B, Bote M, Ed, Peter F, David S, Glen R, Al S, Thea R (dutch guest), Sheri K, Don T, Brigitte G, me, Liz L, Charlotte H, Sonia J (with Bubbles), Terry B, Cal F, Lori B, Judy P, Irene H, Cathy U + Qing Z

Basking in the warm sun, no one was in a rush to leave.

These next 3 photos are of Sumas Prairie, west to north west, from the US border to Sumas Mt with Robie Reid & Judge Howay dominating the horizon.

The community of Arnold below, used to be a Mennonite settlement with it's own church (still operated today) and a gas station and small grocery store. We lived there for nine years.

Putting out the fire that Case had set for us.

Back down at the junction by the barns, waiting to regroup.

Almost everyone stayed for dessert afterwards: pumpkin pecan + carrot cake. This time I phoned Case 20 minutes ahead of time to get the coffee pot going. It's a good thing, because right after it finished perking, our power went out.