Rock My World!

Due to the recent cold snap in the Pacific Northwest, I felt the urge to check out Twin Lakes for ice. These are both at 5280', and just large enough to accomodate a 400m track.






Unfortunately, there was no ice, but there was a bit of excitement on the way up to the lakes.





I had driven my Subaru WRX Sti up the gravel road and came across a drainage ditch too deep to navigate. So what better time to take a few snapshots?!


On my way back down the road, I came head-to-head with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. As we passed, we exchanged friendly gestures and then my intuition told me to stop and motion for the others to stop, too. I quickly got out of my car and got them to roll down their window. Just at that very moment, I heard an extremely loud crashing sound a 1/4 mile up the slope to our left. Looking for where the noise came from, I noticed several trees over 80 feet tall being snapped off mid-height and then witnessed the sight of a boulder the size of my car tumbling down the hill at more than 30 mph.



A short few seconds later, the large boulder crashed down onto the road from about 30' up in the air, and continued to bounce downhill for another 300 feet or more. Here is a picture of a chunk that split off--it was well over 1000 lbs. This all took place only about 65-80' further up the road from where we were parked. Had the Jeep not stopped, it certainly would've been crushed flat. If it wasn't for my rally-inspired driving down the mountain, both of us might have rendezvoused at the very site the boulder hit. There have been many times I've wondered if I'd ever encounter a 100' tall Douglas Fir crashing down on the road in front of me, but never a boulder.

We were a little shocked to realize how close to death we were, but that did not keep us from venturing back up to the lakes. Obviously, it's still too early for ice, but it could be right around the corner.




Tumbling boulders was not the only excitement on the mountain. Nobody can forget the spectacular views available up here. This is a view of the north slope of Mt. Baker. To its northeast flank is Mt. Baker Ski Area and Mt. Shuksan.



In this view, you can see Canada Peak (on left in far background), America Peak, and Larabee Peak (7600'). The US/CDN border runs directly between Canada Peak and America Peak. Just two weeks ago, it was 80 degrees and no snow!