Hike to Heliotrope Ridge- 10/2/16

What a day full of glorious glacier views, challenging hiking terrain, and tricky creek crossing puzzles for the Silverwing Bats! Lauren and I are so grateful to have shared in the experience with this great group.

The Coleman Glacier in all its glory!

The connection began immediately - is there such a thing as Fall Fever (like spring fever)? If so, many of these girls had it and words were spilling out like the cascades we passed later along the trail. We bottled that energy into Moose and headed east, checking in with one another about summer and autumn changes.

We discussed the Ten Essentials in some depth, and agreed that yes, they are essential even for a day hike (and talked about why that is).

Ten Essentials

1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter
11. Communication (emergency communication device)

We also pointed out different life zones that we would pass along the trail (and then really noticed these as we were hiking):

Hemlock, Redcedar, Douglas-Fir Zone Elevation 0-2,000 feet (most of the drive up)

River Valleys: Forest Floors Thrive on Soil 
Most recipes for life in nature's kitchen start on the forest floor with fertile, moist soils, teeming with life. The hemlock, redcedar, Douglas-fir forest contains a great diversity of plants and animals, including more than 3,400 species of "bugs".

Silver Fir Zone 2,000-5,500 feet (on the drive up)

Taking a quick break to check out this beautiful waterfall

Mountain Forests: Wet and Wooded Mansions If mountain forest habitat was a many-roomed house, the rivers and streams would be its hallways. Thousands of watery corridors connect the mountain slopes to the sea. These wet and wooded forests of the silver-fir zone provide shelter for many animals, including insects and birds.

Subalpine Zone 4,000-7,000 feet (At the toe of the Coleman Glacier)
Mountain Meadows: Winter Welcome Mats
Subalpine creatures nestle down in a habitat that invites chilly weather and nearly shrugs off summer. Stunted trees cluster on humps amid open meadows and rocky outcrops awaiting snow melt for a brief chance to grow after eight months of cold in the subalpine zone.

Alpine Zone Elevation 7,000+ feet
Rocky Ridges: Life in an Icebox
At high elevations, nature's freezer defrosts drip by drip. Cracking blue clusters of ice bury the tops of treeless rocks. Frigid winds and constant snowfall challenge organisms to adapt. Ice worms and red algae are some of the few life forms nurtured at the summits of the alpine zone.

Lots of creeks to cross

After a double-check of gear at the trailhead, we headed up to Heliotrope! Our group stayed Lauren was in front with the trailblazers, while Stormie moseyed on up the trail with the following group. We checked the map frequently to track our progress and met a new friend, the Silver Fir tree!

After a great hike through old hemlock, we emerged into the subalpine zone, navigated multiple perplexing creek crossings, and had our breaths taken away by the site of the massive Coleman glacier. Wow. Impressive is too small a word to describe this mammoth block of wavy ice.
We enjoyed a too-short Peaceful Place by the glacier, and then, far too soon, it was time to descend (though many girls could have happily gone up and up and up).

Silverwing Bats on Heliotrope Ridge

On the hike down the connections continued with talks of future aspirations, healthy eating habits, favorite outdoor activities, and fall exploration plans.

Mottos especially in use today: The Trail is the Teacher, Stretch Your Edge, Be Prepared, Safety First