[贴图] 晚秋的金松 - North Cascade's Maple Pass / Lake Ann Loop

Danny · 发表于 2006-10-22 19:52:45

不久前趁着晚秋的艳阳天，独自去North Cascade day hike 一天，走了 Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop。非常值得一走的 trail 。简介如下(转自 http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/recreation/rog/lakeann.html）：

Length: 7.5 miles/12 km.

Access: Washington State Route 20, Rainy Pass rest area. The trail begins 0.25 mile east of the parking lot.

Route Description: The trail begins in big timber and soon passes through a large avalanche meadow and more timber to junction with the side trail to Lake Ann. At Heather Pass there is a faint trail leading off towards Lewis lake and a possible side trip for experienced hiker and route finder. Beyond Heather Pass the trail is above tree line in high alpine zone. The trail then descends along a ridge line between Lake Ann and Rainy Lake dropping quickly and steeply into timber, then levels on when it junctions with the Rainy Lake trial. Continue for about .25 mile on the Rainy Lake trail to return to the trailhead.

Highlights: This trail offers a challenging loop beginning in a heavily timbered area, climbing to above timberline, and returning to a timbered area. The first mile is an easy hike with a side trip into Lake Ann. The hike beyond to Heather and Maple Pass is steep, but the views at the highest point on the trail are spectacular. From alpine meadows along the ridge top one can sit and enjoy the scenery and a view of both Lake Ann and Rainy Lake. The trail beyond this summit is steep and challenging.

特别值得介绍的是这条trail上的高山落叶松（subalpine larch）。这是在四季常青的北美西北大山中最有特色的树木。它生长在1800-2400米的高度，秋天时，其针叶变为金黄色，在秋日照耀下，特别夺目，是非常美的高山秋色。

贴几张照片展示 trail 上的金松风光：