Marmot Pass on a sore ankle

 Marmot Pass July 5, 2022

10.6 miles and 3,500 feet elevation gain

Left home at 6:45 and got to the trailhead at 8:15, started hiking at 8:25. It was a cool, clear morning and the air was fresh on the trail. The first part of the trail is up and down through the big trees, with the river to your left.

The lower trail

 I got to Shelter Rock camp at 9:45, going at a pretty decent pace. Took a good break and started up the trail which has a long, steady incline. I felt pretty strong and kept a steady pace, slowing down when I got winded.

I got to the avalanche chutes and saw flowers, but not as many as I've seen in previous trips. Too early, I guess. The view across the valley to the mountains was splendid.

 

Avalanche chute

Mountains across the valley

There was a little snow on the switchbacks above Camp Mystery, but it was easy to walk on. By this time I was getting pretty tired and my left ankle was starting to hurt a little. Arrived at Marmot Pass at 12:15, just under four hours. Only saw two guys and a single hiker on the way up.

At the pass

 I climbed the knob above the pass and sat down on a ledge looking out over the Dungeness River Valley with a great view. Enjoyed a lunch of cheese, raisins, crackers, peanut butter, chocolate, and an orange.

Started down at 1:05 feeling a little stiff. Met a group of six women in their sixties from Bainbridge Island. One of them said they've done this hike half a dozen times. As I walked downhill, my left big toe and my left achilles tendon started to bother me. I think I've been favoring my toe and walking in such a way as to inflame the tendon. Tried to ignore the pain and go easy as I went down the trail.

At Shelter Rock Camp I looked around for a big rock that would be the "shelter," because I was mystified that I'd never seen one. Sure enough, I found a rock with an overhang big enough to sleep under, except that the river is now flowing under the overhang. Maybe it was a good camp shelter years ago.

Lots of people on the trail going down, something like 16. Clouds moved in and it started raining lightly just as I got back to the car. Made it back to the car at 3:50 and started home. Got a good cup of coffee at the new coffee stand in Quilcene.