Martine went hiking with me today for the first time in a couple of years. We choose Rattlesnake Ridge because it is close and easy. The weather was great leaving Seattle but got progressively worse as we approached North Bend. I pointed the ledge out to Martine, it was hidden behind a curtain of clouds. As we pulled into the parking lot, a few drops fell on the windshield but nothing to get excited about. The trail approaching Rattlesnake Lake passes over the outlet stream where a couple of ducks paddled in a pool.
My guess is that there will be some ducklings in another month or two. Onward to the trail. As usual, we were not alone, but the second group we encountered was a first. A couple of hikers were escorting three llamas up the trail.
They created quite a commotion and more than a little stink. I noticed the lead llama seemed more skittish than the others, which was confirmed by its handler. It was also pretty damn ugly, and seemed to have a single upturned tooth. A moment later it opened up its mouth and there were a couple of other scraggly teeth in there too.
We let the llamas pass by and left them a wide berth to let the scent dissipate. I stopped a while later to take some closeups of ferns and flowers that are beginning to pop out as the weather warms.
We decided to turn around early but not before I scoped out a slug, sliming its way up a rotten log.
Here is a picture of Martine at our turn-around point, proving to all that she made it to the trail.
On the way down a squall passed over dropping rain and hail. Within 10 minutes the sun poked out and the rest of the hike was a breeze.
