Hobart = Heaven

For anyone who's never been to Hobart in Washington state, this is the perfect place to view it. A once thriving logging community is now a simple hamlet with mountains in the background and small farms, livestock, wildlife and families below. The community you see between Mount Rainier in the distance and where I shot this is Hobart. This trail takes you above it with panoramic views in all directions. I could even see the highest skyscraper in downtown Seattle from here. It was behind me.

On this day it was quite breezy, but so incredibly warm. After recent record setting snow and torrential rain and flooding, it was like a dream come true in the middle of winter. Just wish I'd been there earlier in the day for better light. The trail is easy to navigate, but a bit steep if you’re not used to it. Those on horseback or mountain bike will have no problem at all.

If you are inclined to visit, follow the Issaquah-Hobart Road south from Issaquah until you get to the Highway 18 interchange. The trailhead is clearly marked. There's plenty of parking, many trails, and more than a few geocaches up there. Horses, kids, hikers, mountain bikers are all welcome. Those with strollers or wheelchairs should probably go down the road a few miles to Landsburg and the start of the Cedar River Trail. It's much easier.

By the way, The Orchard Compound is just off to the left in this image. We’re up against the Cedar River Watershed, where Seattle and surrounding communities get much of their drinking water. Much of the forest in the left of this image is the watershed. One of these days I’ll have to arrange to be up there while someone is out back of our barn burning something smokey so we can pinpoint our little place with Mount Rainier in the background. It’s on my list of things to do.