Lookout Mountain at Last!

Wildflowers were just beginning to bloom– lots of arrow leaf balsam root, wild peonies, old man’s beard, shooting stars, columbine, wild onion, and mountain bluebells.  We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive pileated woodpeckers, as we had a year ago but no such luck– just heard them pecking away.  This was the first big 7.5 mile hike for our 5 month old border collie, Raina, and she made the grade no problem.  Fortunately, temperatures were a bit lower today and much of the trail is in the shade We did the loop clockwise– heading up the gradual Mother Lode Trail to the summit and then returning on the slightly steeper Lookout Mountain trail that passes the shelter.  It felt great to knock out Peak #2… and all of the mountains were out in full glory– from Mt. Adams in Washington to the north to Thielsen and Diamond Peak (yes… we’ll top that one later this summer!) to the south.  Onward….