DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

Yesterday, I hiked this trail which is in the North Cascades, about 50 miles from Bellingham.





Parking lot at trail head.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10





Damfino Lakes are two small, shallow mountain ponds.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10




After the Damfino Lakes, the trail climbs through a beautiful forest to this alpine meadow.
A few weeks ago, this meadow was ablaze with wildflowers.
Excelsior Pass is seen in the background.... at about 5500'.
Trailhead is at about 4000'.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

Mt. Baker as seen from Excelsior Pass


The trail continues eastward along High Divide, a ridge that runs for miles towards Welcome Pass and Yellow Aster Meadows.
About a half mile past Excelsior Pass, you enter a designated Wilderness area.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

Yellow Jacket enjoying a Fireweed flower.


Bumblebees


About 3 miles down the ridge, I stopped for lunch.
This is the view to the east, looking into the heart of the North Cascades, a very rugged area.
The views from this ridge are much more breathtaking than is depicted in these photos.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

On this hike, I heard many birds, but saw very few.

Raven


Unknown woodland bird ??


Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

Mt. Shuksan


While passing Damfino Lakes on my return trip, I spotted this creature in a few inches of water.
My high school biology is a little rusty, but I believe this is a frog going through metamorphosis.
It is large {about 5 inches long}. Metamorphosis takes only about 24 hours.
After watching this animal for a couple minutes, it buried itself in the mud and disappeared.
Any other ideas or thoughts about this are welcome.

DAMFINO LAKES * EXCELSIOR PASS * HIGH DIVIDE trail * 9-2-10

Douglas Squirrel