Sourdough Mountain — Friday, Oct. 19, 2018

First car at TH at 7am. This was the perfect beautiful storm of conditions. Sunny, warm, dry and clear with little or no breeze, dazzling color and few people. Per previous "brutal" reports, the first 2 miles do send you ascending at a steep climb. However, the remaining 3+ miles are typical PNW fare. Soft tread with occasional rocks and roots on a steady ascent. And outside of a small route-finding consideration near the top, an easy to travel trail. Took it slow and arrived at the Lookout in 4 hours. Initially pass through lemon yellow falling leaves tapping out a falling soundtrack, next a mixed conifer forest including downed logs complete with inquisitive doe and fawn. eventually you emerge on a traversing trail with glorious views of the North Cascades and all its splendor! A bit more climbing on switchbacks through breezy meadows to the geologic wonder of the Lookout setting. Glaciers! Sparkling water! Peaks! Ridges! And everything wonderful about Washington. Take time to settle down and channel your inner Dharma Bum with a Gary Snyder passage; "...looking down for miles through high still air."  To note on our descent an aggressive bat swooped directly at me in the sunlight - startled and swinging, my trekking pole swatted this Halloween precursor out of our way. Highly rec this trail today!