Winter is knocking on the door

Accessibility to the Yonderosa is never guaranteed.  The snow is making it well down the hill.  It sure is pretty.

Piper loves the snow!

Hello Ladies

Mule Deer Does

What happened to Summer part three

Hopefully I can get more pictures upload this time...

 This Rainbow arched the sky while I was taking pictures of the Deer.  The camera didn't pick up its vibrance unfortunately.

 The trails littered with Birch leaves.  The Larch is not quite peak color yet though a large number of needles that found there way between back and my pack whilst I was roaming around the woods.

 The outpost - luxury camping.

Mother nature made it clear that Winter is on its way.  I snapped this picture on the way home.  I don't think the pass will be open much longer...

What happened to Summer part 2

I caught a glimpse of movement from the Cabin's window and bedded down within rock throwing distance was a pair of Whitetail Does.

They stayed put for most of the rain squall then decided to browse their way up the hill after it had passed.   Mostly I saw them feeding on Snowberry, both the leaves and the berries.  I later found them napping again just yards from where I took these pictures.

For some reason I'm having difficulty uploading pictures.  More to come ASAP.

What happened to Summer?

In this part of the world summer came late and left early.  October is typically a gorgeous, resplendent with autumn golds and reds, deep blue skies and clear rain washed vistas.  This year it was true again.

My mountain bike saw daily use exploring the local logging roads and trails when I could find them.  The local Critters didn't quite know what to think and would often allow me to get quite close before deciding to skedaddle.  I didn't even need to get off my bike to take this Doe's picture.

Saw LOTS of Deer, almost all Whitetail Does and a couple of fawns.  I discovered a new 'rub line' and another was renewed by the local Bucks.  I reckon in a few weeks they'll be getting all stupid once the rut kicks in.

Fresh Buck rub on an Alder

Kinnikinnick appears to be a main staple for many of the locals, Bears, Grouse, Chipmunks and I even saw it in some Coyote scat...

Just a few pictures

Pygmy Owl.  Dern near knocked me over but was courteous enough to pose for a picture afterwards.

Grouse Fajitas!  Yum!

One of two Whitetail fawns accompanying a Doe in the Yonderosa Meadow.

Surprisingly this has been a pretty good year for both Deer and Grouse at the Yonderosa.  Spring and a late arriving Summer don't generally favor the 'babes in the woods' but I'm seeing bunches of both.  LOTS of berries too.  The Bears are fattening up nicely.  Grouse crops I've seen are filled with Kinnikinik berries, ants, leafs and needles in their crops.

July, already.

Strawberries in abundance!

Piper enjoying the lake.

Spruce Budworm - The most destructive and widely distributed forest defoliator in the Western USA... and the Yonderosa.  Douglas fir is the preferred host but they were present on Larch, Ponderosa Pine, and Engleman Spruce too.  I saw Pine Siskins feeding on them.  I suspect the damage they do this year will be evident for years to come. 

June escape

Though employment pressures abbreviated this much needed escape, we are very glad to have been able to escape to the Yonderosa for a few short days.

 Things had definitely greened up since our last visit.

Amelanchier alnifolia

 This was also our first trip of the year over the late(st) opening of the North Cascades Highway.  The extra snow has all of the rivers flowing as high as I've ever seen.  The locals say this is the worst flooding they've experienced since the mid 1990's.

Nature was putting on quite a show - flowers everywhere.

The weather was very mixed.  Beautiful sunshine, heavy rain and hail, to gray overcast.  The low temperature we saw was 38*F and the High was 76*F - very comfortable.

One needed to be very careful where he steps as there are many brand new babies in the forest.  The deer were plentiful and it appears there is a good crop of fawns again.

Yonderosa Spring

The arrival of Spring at the Yonderosa is always welcome, especially when it is as late as it was this year.  The first blooms, the bird songs and Bears announce the end of Winter.

Black Bear track
Piper and I had some excitement on one of our morning walks when she caught wind of a Bear in the bushes.  She alerted me and then hid behind me..  barking her support.  The Bear didn't seem too interested in us, rather more interested in whatever it was eating.  He was good size,  looked healthy, especially for this time of year and I assume he because I saw no sign of cubs.  I didn't manage to get any good pictures, the best being a muddy track... bummer.

There were plenty of Deer, both Mule and Whitetail.  Lots of Moose sign too.

Piper wasn't sure what to think about all the big critters wandering around the yard.

Piper is turning out to be a great trail dog.

Lots of wild strawberry blooms.  Hopefully that means lots of strawberries!

The weather was mostly rainy.  We had one night of frost.  The surrounding peaks were dusted with snow.  Kirby Creek was flowing higher than we've ever seen it. The cabin stayed nice and warm all night without using the heat.  We ate well.  Relaxed.  Can't wait to get back!

Obligatory cabin and Dog photos

I know, I know...  scenery is nice but you're really here to see the cabin.  I didn't take many this trip but I'll post what I have.

I did take quite a few pictures of the girls though!

April Visit

Sometimes it's nice to get away just for the sake of it.

Most of the snow is gone.  The Grouse are drumming.  Moose and Deer are moving about.  No Bears yet.  Found a recent kill, looked like a smallish doe, probably the Cat got her, but it is hard to tell as the Coyotes had the bones scattered by the time I found her.

Yonderosa - a Winter Visit

We finally managed to escape to the Yonderosa for a brief visit.

Pack up the kids

The sight we've eagerly anticipated for months!

Packing in the gear and supplies

A grain scoop makes a handy sled for transporting gear

What better place to spend a weekend with your Valentine than a cabin in the woods

This was Piper's first visit.  She LOVES the snow!

Time to relax

The grub is always good at the Yonderosa

Didn't see any big critters.  Lots of snowshoe Hare, Coyote and Moose tracks around.

As always it enjoyable.  The cabin kept us warm and comfortable.