Karen and I started up Chiwaukum Creek trail. But a massive wildfire in 2015 destroyed the trees. No shade = too hot in July. After about a mile, we turned around. We drove higher to Stevens Pass where it's cooler.

I love hiking to Lanham Lake. In the winter, it's fun on snowshoes. (Watch for avalanche danger.) The trail is short (3.2 miles round trip) and steep. We gained 1,240 feet in elevation in 1.6 miles. Wildflowers were spectacular in the shady woods. Between the two hikes, we hiked 6.8 miles total.

The trail climbs up a ridge with four long, wickedly steep hills. In two places, I scrambled uphill on hands and feet. Descending, sat down and slid.

Hordes of mosquitoes attacked us at the lake. I wore long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Added a bug net from hat to shoulders. My clothes, hat and pack were sprayed with Permethrin insect spray (lasts through six washings.) Thought I was mosquito-proof.

However, on men-style shirts, there's a small gap between the cuff and sleeve, usually with a button. A mosquito sneaked through that gap and stung my arm. Surprising.

Fight with Devil's Club. This time I won.

In one place, Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridum) grew across the trail to rake people and animals with its 1/2-inch, barbed, toxic thorns.

Got a thorn in my thumb. That did it. To protect my hand, I wrapped it in a folded fleece jacket. Sawed off two offending branches with my small folding knife. Felt victorious. At home, I removed the thorn with a sterilized needle and tweezers and sharpened the knife.

Since age seven, I have seen myself as Mighty Mouse.

Photos:

1. Lanham Lake and Big Jim Mountain. Karen and I want to climb Big Jim Mtn.

2. Devil's Club has 1/2" thorns on its leaves, branches, stems and flowers. Hikers hate it. The big leaves are pretty from a distance.

3. Queen's Cup and Miniature Dogwood flowers carpeted the forest floor at lower elevations.

4. Lanham Creek.

5. Extremely rare pink Coral Orchids lit up the woods. Usually they are brown.