Today Karen and I hiked five miles above Squilchuck State Park. Fall comes to the woods with delicate beauty.

Last week, Charlie missed the point of our beloved park when he criticized the switchbacks. He missed the beauty. The quiet and serenity. No motorized vehicles are allowed.

"In the olden days, the U.S. Forest Service built trails straight up and down," Charilie said. That's what I prefer instead of all the switchbacks." (See my note, below.)

"These are bicycle trails built by volunteers from Evergreen Mountain Bicycle Alliance," I replied. "You just saw the park dried out after our extreme drought and high heat."

"This park is beautiful for winter snowshoeing and wildflowers in the Spring," I continued. "During high heat in August, there is cool shade in the morning. Shade is rare in North Central Washington."

"After a hard hike, it's easier to walk and get exercise here with the switchbacks," Karen explained. "And it's close to town."

Squilchuck State Park is a treasure.

Note: Who says "In the olden days"? Grumpy old curmudgeons.

Charlie was incorrect. Fishermen's trails tended to go straight up. The U.S. Forest Service made fisherman's trails safer by building switchbacks. Switchbacks help control erosion.

A good example is the improved trail with switchbacks to Minotaur and Theseus Lakes, WA.