Today marked the first time I’ve ever gone on a hike in November (not counting going to Discovery Park or long city walks)!  Every year I lament how horrible the weather in November is.  This month is notorious for heavy rains in Seattle and wind-driven sideways-rain in Ocean Shores.  This year, however, we have had our fair share of clear, cold, crisp days. Today was one of those unbelievably beautiful days, so I went on a hike.

Today’s hike to Wallace Falls was great!  Though I felt warm hiking briskly along the trail, it was 38 degrees and fairly cold out.   Cold and Sunny.  Because it was so cold, there were very few people on the trail. We got a late start and the sun sets early this time of year, which meant the 9.3-mile hike ended at dusk.  Luckily, we know the trail well and made our way back to the car before pitch-dark descended.

I will post a few photos below from today.  My favorite photo is of the frost-coated fern leaf which you can see in the feature photo for this blog entry.   A heavy frost coated branches, leaves, and ferns making parts of the trail feel surreal and magical.  My little-girl-mind awakened to imagined stories of Jack Frost painting his way through this forest with a delicate brush!

Wallace falls

Wallace falls

Pools created by Wallace Falls

Pools created by Wallace Falls

Sunlit Falls

Sunlit Falls, just before sunset