Irish Mountain Day Hike

View looking north from Irish Mountain (6,980') toward the Three Sisters

My brother, a good friend, and I repeated a day hike we had last completed over 20 years ago. The hike to McFarland Lake and Irish Mountain is about 18 miles round trip and includes a significant off trail section in the middle that makes a bit of a loop. We saw not a single hiker the whole day. In fact, the trail beyond the Mink Lake cutoff is seldom used and disappears near Irish Mountain. Great solitude. Beautiful near alpine meadows near the lakes when you get above 6,200 feet or so. Discovered a lake we had not seen before and vowed to return. Nice hike, great day.

Methow Valley weekend

Looking up Wolf Creek from near Sun Mountain Lodge

The last weekend of June found us in the Methow Valley of north central Washington. Just east of the Cascade crest, and surrounded by North Cascades peaks, it is one of my favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest. We hadn't visited in a number of years and, while Seattle money continues to pour into new weekend getaway cabins throughout the valley, it still retains its beauty. The Methow Valley just feels good. The dry east side forests and myriad trails into countless mountain valleys and lake basins make it hard not to want to linger. Some day I would like to spend a summer here and hike 100 trails in one season. Good to get out, as always.

The Beaver Pond near Sun Mountain Lodge