Author: David B. Williams

This cairn and its accompanying pal are on the Cowiche Mountain Loop Trail in Yakima County. The bear, known officially as Big Bear, exemplifies a key aspect of cairns, that animals regularly take advantage of them as a high point to observe the surrounding territory. According to our friends, Big Bear goes on most of the hikes they take, particularly if they can offer the prospect of a chance to see what’s on The Other Side of the Mountain. Or if there are huckleberries or blueberries to find. And a cairn is a good spot for such situations when you need to get up a little higher to see.

A cairn in the Enchantments, that spectacular backcountry on the east side of the Cascades Mountains and near to the town of Leavenworth, Washington. Notice the classic erosion of the granite, which creates perfect stone for erecting a tall, and what I think is a rather handsome cairn. The haze in the background comes from big fires burning around Wenatchee, about 25 to 30 miles to the east. By the way, the lake is Colchuck Lake.