Storm Wolves Explore Racehorse Falls

Fearful of going against a long standing history, the Storm Wolves showed up Sunday morning to a blustery day of windy weather. Lucky for us, however, we got to use the bus for an extended outing to Racehorse Falls. Gathering at Cascade Montessori, we took a moment to have an opening circle before jumping into a bus maintenance check. With the Explorer’s help we popped the hood, check fluid levels, tire pressure, brake lights, etc., before loading up into the bus, buckling in, and hitting the road. 

Salmon carcass we found on the gravel bar

Plenty of canid tracks to investigate

Squishing around in the "quick sand"

Cruising out Mt Baker Highway we noticed the wind subside as we pushed east. Turning down Mosquito Lake Road, we decided to make a quick stop at the bridge to explore the gravel bars and get a gauge on the weather. Spreading out on the landscape, being mindful to respect the handful of folks fishing nearby, we soon were overwhelmed with the intoxicating curiosity of exploration. Finding everything from cool rocks to salmon carcasses to canid tracks, we were already getting lost in the timelessness of an extended outing. With plenty of fun to be had, we took a bit more time on the gravel bars then returned to the bus for lunch before heading out again on our trek to Racehorse Falls.

Exploring the colors of rocks by the river

Deer carcasses we found near the parking lot

Mushrooms growing on a branch

Bumping our way along the gravel road, we soon arrived at our destination. Before we could even get out of the bus we were faced with a morbid mystery; a variety of bones strewn about in the bushes including four rig cages and a jaw bone! Upon further investigation we began to put the pieces of the puzzle together, noticing the elongated jaw bone with the worn molars of an herbivorous ungulate. Feeling better about the bones and their backstory, we pushed on down the trail and over an obstacle course of slippery logs, to arrive at Racehorse Creek. Immediately the Storm Wolves immersed themselves in their surroundings, picking through the rocks in search of fossils, noticing the substantial lichen in certain trees, and enjoying one another’s company as a make shift fossil trade center sprouted beside the creek.

Searching for fossils

Success!

An ancient palm perhaps?

Racehorse Falls!

Realizing the Explorers could spend an eternity searching for fossils and not get bored, the mentors felt the call to rally everyone together on an expedition to find the waterfall. Gathering up we had a snack and some re-hydrated before trekking upstream over rock, under log, and through water to get to our destination. Scampering ahead, the Storm Wolves were in their element. As the mentors brought up the rear, they were afforded the opportunity of witnessing the group clamoring up towards Racehorse Falls, over a hundred feet of cascading waterfall cutting through the forest as a backdrop, the water carving out the ancient mysteries of the past exposing fossils and inspiring dreams of what once was. There is nothing quite like getting a bunch of Explorers out on a wild landscape. They display a level of fortitude and vigor that can only be inspired by such a wild place. It was a treat to get to join the Storm Wolves for the day, and like always, we finished with a circle of gratitude. There was so much to be thankful for on a day like this; salmon, fossils, mysteries, waterfalls, friends, and so much more. We can only wait eagerly for our next outing that will undoubtedly be the source of many more fond memories and things to be thankful for. 

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing here!