My life is one big crazy adventure. I believe that you should live every month as if it were your last month. I am always planning the next few hikes, climbs, kayak trips, road trips or some other outside event. Jonathan, my reasonable plan executer, best friend, belayer, navigator, and husband, supports most of my crazy ideas. Together, we try our best keep up with two highly energetic kids.
Many of my trips I document on here are pretty tame compared to trips from six to nine years ago. With two little ones, the hikes right now are slower and shorter and the waters are enclosed with no wind. However, I finally realized, at this pace, I can actually take in the scenery and watch these little guys take in some incredible geography.
I decided to refocus my blog on the adventures that I have with my kids. Bridalveil Falls at Yosemite would have just been another waterfall, but it became the waterfall that me and my youngest experienced by getting completely soaked as a wind gust blew across the Falls. She looked at me and said “do that again!” Every green trails map contains a thousand questions waiting to be asked by my son and every car size rock is awaiting his summit.
I hope you enjoy!
As I play catch up on documenting all of our summer and fall adventures this year, the Pete Lake backpacking trip stands out as one of my most favorite. For the second year, we chose to do a family backpacking trip on Labor Day weekend (September 3-5). Pete Lake is an easy four mile trail with only 400 elevation gain. The most difficult part to this trip was the long drive through Cle Elum and out to the trail head. I chose this trail because the weather east of Snoqualmie Pass is reliable for forecasting and this trail’s flat four miles makes for a quick escape with children should there be a reason to leave quickly.
Day 1 – Saturday, Sept. 3rd
We arrived at the trail head around 1 pm after filling our stomachs with burgers from some local burger joint. This was completely against our normal routine, but it was the only economical choice in Cle Elum. After covering the kids and ourselves with sun block and bug spray, we threw on our packs, locked the car and headed out for three days. This trail is very kid friendly and provided plenty of adventure for Joey and Elissa. Numerous log crossings and stream jumping awaited them. Because Joey and Elissa were carrying a backpack equivalent to each of their body sizes and ability, the hike took a lot longer than a typical day hike. Also, because we had little need to rush them, we took many breaks. Around 5:30, we arrived at Pete Lake and began to search for a good camp site. After a half our of searching, we found our spot. The kids helped Jonathan and I set up the tent and make dinner. Our spot was amazing as we had a full view of the lake with snow capped ridges in the distance.
https://picasaweb.google.com/113270917195219143034/PeteLake
