Hike to First Divide up Skokomish River

After my hike two weeks ago, I wanted to go further up the Skokomish River. I took Thursday off and Guy and I drove to the trailhead at Staircase on Wednesday evening. This time I was able to get the Park Service permit at the trailhead, so I felt more legitimate.

We left home about 4 pm and got to the trailhead about 6 pm. For dinner we ate a sandwich we'd bought at Safeway in Belfair. We started hiking at 7:00 and kept a good pace so we could get to Big Log Camp before dark, about 5 miles. As it was, we arrived after 9 pm and it was pretty dark down by the river under the big trees. We groped around until we found the bear wire. We hung the food up on the bear wire, and Guy got firewood and made a fire.

In the morning, it took Guy a while to get moving. I was pretty stiff from our previous evening's hike. We got going about 10 am and started up the river. We were not moving too fast, and took a lot of rest breaks. We finally arrived at Nine Stream camp about 1 pm. We set our packs down and started for First Divide.

The trail past Nine Stream gets very steep and it wasn't long before Guy decided to go back to camp. He had a tender foot and didn't want to push it. I continued on and made it to First Divide at about 4:30. I spent a few minutes there and started back down. I caught up with Guy and we hiked back to Nine Stream Camp, arriving just after 6 pm.

We made dinner, Guy got firewood and made a nice fire. We both slept well because we were so tired. The weather was good so we slept under the stars. In the morning we broke camp and started back to the trailhead. It seemed to take forever because we were both pretty bushed. Arrived at the trailhead about 4 pm. Home by 6.

 Thursday morning at Big Log Camp

Eight Stream bridge 

Nine Stream Camp

 The Skokomish River on our way out.

Proof I made it to First Divide 

Guy waking up at Big Log Camp 

Guy's fire at Nine Stream Camp

Big Log Camp 

 Nine Stream Camp

Gladys Divide

On Thursday, July 12, I left after work to get to Staircase Ranger Station at Lake Cushman. I hadn't gotten a wilderness camping permit from the Park Service, but I figured I could get one at the trailhead. I arrived there about 8 pm, and the Ranger Station was closed. There were no permit forms in the trailhead register, but I just decided to go anyway.

I hiked briskly up the broad trail to Spike Camp, moving along quickly to eat the darkness. I covered the 3.3 miles arriving just as darkness was falling, about 9:35. I was lucky to find the camp because of the darkness, but once I did I immediately made camp and hung my pack on the bear wire.

I slept under the stars because it was such a clear night, but about three in the morning it started to rain. I got up and rigged up my tarp between two handy trees and fell back asleep. It eased up, but the rain started again as I was making breakfast. I felt pretty snug under the tarp.

The skies cleared quickly and I got moving early. I packed up my camp and hung the whole pack on the bear wire. I started up the trail to Flapjack Lakes. It's a good trail but goes steadily upward and I had to take lots of short rests. I got to Flapjack lakes about 11 am, and just kept going to Gladys Divide.

The trail above the lakes is not nearly as well made, so it was slower going. When I got into the upper part of the divide, the trail disappeared under big snowfields. At one point I lost the trail and tried to find it by bushwhacking up a steep slope. I later found the trail below me. Once I got in the upper area, I just slogged through the snow.

I was rewarded with the sign saying Gladys Divide 5000 feet, and sat down for my lunch and several photos to show I made it. As I sat there, the clouds started pouring into the valley to the north of me. I started down about 1 pm. I kept a good pace even though I was tired.

I arrived at Spike camp about 2:30, took a half hour rest and then started down the trail to the trailhead. Although it was all downhill, I was tired and it seemed to take forever. By 4:30 I was back at the car. On the way out, I purchased a Park Service annual pass so I wouldn't feel like I snuck in to the park.

It's no surprise I was tired. I hiked 14.4 miles and went up 3500 feet in elevation. A good day!

Flapjack Lakes

 Gladys Divide

 Looking into the valley to the north

Proof I was there!

The Skokomish River, taken on my way out.

Friday morning, cooking breakfast.

Sweaty on the way up to Flapjack Lakes

Back at the trailhead at the end of the hike.

July 4th Hike up Mount Townsend

July 4th was a Wednesday, and since I had the day off, I decided to hike up Mt. Townsend. I wasn't sure if I would encounter any snow so early in the year. I did find some snow, but it wasn't enough to block my way...mostly snowy patches where the trail was still in the trees.

The weather was patchy clouds, and I never really got a good view from the mountain. Luckily, I climbed this mountain last summer and I remember the views.

It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get to the top and an hour and a half to get to the bottom. I felt good and strong, and my knees didn't bother me. A really good hike to start the summer.

 I set the 10-second timer on my camera to get these photos of me walking up the trail in the fog.

The view from the top was mostly clouds with occasional glimpses of the surrounding mountains.

First Post

I'm creating this new blog so I can keep track of my hiking trips. Sometimes I forget where I've been and how many trips I've been on.

My main area for hiking is the Olympic Mountains because they're just west of my home. two hours driving can put me at several trailheads leading into Olympic Nation Forest or Olympic National Park. I'm fortunate to be so near such great hiking.