I led my Feb Winter Walk for the Cascadians today. We went east to Frenchman Coulee in search of sun & were not disappointed. We walked the road down the coulee to the end below the waterfall, which was spectacular today. We then climbed up the talus slope just to the west of the waterfall to a broad bench where we had lunch overlooking the entire coulee. As I was eating I saw a number of little desert parsleys in bloom. The clouds started moving in as we ate and the afternoon was mostly high overcast. After lunch we walked west along the top of the northern cliffs of the coulee. The 300' sheer drop was impressive. We walked out to the mouth of the coulee where it slopes more gently down to Babcock Bench and then back to the cars for a nice loop hike. The day was mild enough that some of the time we walked in shirtsleeves. There were quite a number cars at the trailhead, but we only saw a few people all day, mostly at a distance.
Comments
ranjit101 on Frenchman Coulee
Hello Nice Pics. Just curious what some of you guys are wearing on your lower legs? Could those be something to protect you from snake bite or its something to keep you warm? or they are mudboots? Thanks
Posted by:
ranjit101 on Jul 22, 2019 12:06 AM
Frenchman Coulee
Ranjit - we are wearing gaiters. At the time of year that this trip was taken they are primarily to keep cheat-grass & other debris out of our socks. They may also give a little warmth. Later in the year they also keep ticks on the outside of your pants & socks. I doubt if they would do a lot to prevent snake bite, but that is not really a problem as the rattlesnakes here are not aggressive. I've been hiking in the shrub-steppe for 30 years & haven't seen very many. When you do come across one, it rattles, your heart jumps into your throat, and they slither away. Hope this helps.
David Hagen
Posted by:
mytho-man on Jul 22, 2019 05:08 PM