Chatter Creek swollen with snow runoff. This was the best crossing on the way to the high meadow..

May 24, 2016.

During our four-year drought, hiking Chatter Creek was easy, albeit extremely steep. Multiple creek crossings were low or completely dried up. In 2016 after heavy winter snow, Spring snow runoff was huge.

On May 24 I hiked up Chatter Creek trail with Karen and Gro. When we got to the biggest creek crossing, I froze. Chatter Creek was huge, fast and crashing over waterfalls, wet, slippery boulders, logs and rocks.

To cross, I would have to climb up a giant vertical boulder, negotiate slippery rocks and logs, and walk up a sharply tilted, nearly vertical tree trunk that had fallen across the creek, jamming against the boulder.

“No way,” I thought and dropped downhill, scouting for an easier crossing. I managed to cross a waterfall to a little island in the creek, but there was no way to get to the other bank.

Discouraged, I returned to the original crossing. Karen and Gro were (magically) on the far bank of Chatter Creek. Karen, 68, nimbly scrambled back, asking, “Are you afraid?” “Terrified,” I admitted.

“Hand me your pack and hiking pole,” Karen said. I collapsed the pole, strapping it to my pack. Karen scrambled halfway across, tossing my day pack to Gro. “Wow, your pack is heavy!” Gro exclaimed when she caught it. “What have you got in there, the kitchen sink?”

“Kathleen, we are going to use rock climbing skills,” Karen explained. “Always keep three limbs anchored; only move one hand or one foot at a time. I will go slowly. Follow me and put your hands and feet exactly where I put mine.”

“Put your left foot here. Now boost yourself up and grab this edge with your right hand. Brace yourself with your left foot and right hand.” Together we scrambled up the smooth face of the giant boulder like spiders. Negotiated slippery rocks and logs. Next was the sharply tilted log. Walking up the log was impossible.

“Now straddle the log like riding a horse, letting your legs dangle down the side,” Karen said. “Use your hands to scoot yourself forward up the log.” We edged around protruding branches.

During the descent, that scary creek crossing was much easier. I had mentally rehearsed and knew I could do it. On the far side, Karen reached out and helped Gro and me jump across the water to the slippery, steep bank.

As a small woman, it is often easier to sit down and slide off boulders, landing downhill on my feet. Challenging yourself builds confidence.

If you get scared how would the rest of us 'mortals' feel. Reading your postings make me nervous but seeing the flowers relaxes me. A real yin/yang experience.

Speaking of trips in Wenatchee I just read this, this morning. It's been a while since I have visited the city. Maybe I should think about visiting it again. [seattletimes.com]

Here is my favorite picture I took of Tall Mountain Bluebells. Pacific Crest Trail near Stevens Pass, WA. July 3, 2017.

Love the curves and changing colors as the flowers bloom.

We found morel mushrooms!