East Aurora Ridge hike August 17-18, 2022

I hiked from the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent up Barnes Creek to Aurora Ridge, along the ridge, and then back to Highway 101 down Aurora Creek trail. 15.8 miles, 4,100 feet elevation gain.

On Wednesday morning I got up at 5:30 and was on the road at 6:05. At 8:25 I arrived at the Storm King Ranger Station and started up the Barnes Creek trail. This is the same trail I hiked last week, so I knew it well.

Lower Barnes Creek trail in the cool morning

I knew I had 8 miles and 3,700 feet of elevation to gain, so I walked steadily with a 15 minute break every hour. I was surprised at what good progress I made. My legs felt fine and I marched right up the trail. I got to the upper Barnes Creek camp at 3:00 and took a long break.

Upper Barnes Creek camp

From my last hike I knew there would be mosquitoes, so I brought my one-man tent, and it turned out to be a godsend. Around dinner time the mosquitoes came out in force, and by 8:00 I was forced to dive into the tent for my own protection. It was a relief to get away from them and watch them fly impotently outside the tent netting.

For this hike I brought the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It's considered a classic of black literature, written in 1937 by an author who was also an anthropologist. An excellent read.

Almost ready to leave in the morning

 I slept well, waking up very early. Had coffee and granola for breakfast and started hiking at 7:45. It was nice and cool as I started up the last few switchbacks. Got to the Aurora Ridge trail junction at 8:10 and started the hike along the ridge. 

It was easy going at first, almost level with a few ups and downs.Despite being up high, there are very few views because the ridge is well forested. There were a few places to peak out, and I saw views to the North and South.

Boulder Peak and Mt. Appleton to the South

Mount Olympus peaking through the trees.

Aurora meadow

About 10:30 I came to Aurora meadow, a long meadow on a steep slope below Aurora Peak. The trail gets lost in the meadows and it's hard to find where it resumes on the other side. Luckily the trail crew had improved the trail in the meadow and I was able to find Aurora Spring (only moist at this time of year). From there the trail disappeared, but after a little reconnoitering, I found where it left the meadow and continued on.

I reached the junction with the Aurora Creek trail just before noon, and took a break. I was very tired from the poor trail and the ups and down. Then I started down the switchbacks to Highway 101. This trail plunges down the side of the mountain without relenting. My thighs were screaming, my knees were aching, and my feet were protesting.

Looking down at the beautiful blue waters of Lake Crescent.

Finally I could see Lake Crescent through the trees and about 3:30 I emerged onto Highway 101. I called the dispatcher at Clallam Transit and asked him to tell the bus driver to pick me up when he came through. The bus was about twenty minutes late, but when I saw it I flagged it down. It took me to Storm King Ranger Station where my car was waiting.

From the shores of Lake Crescent to the top of Happy Lake Ridge

On an overnight hike, I hiked to the top of Happy Lake Ridge and connected up with the Happy Lake trail that I hiked in 2020. 18.8 miles and 4,400 feet of elevation gain.

Left home at 11:00 am on Wednesday and drove to the Storm King Ranger Station parking lot. Started hiking up the Barnes Creek trail at 1:45. There are tons of people on the first half mile, going to Marymere Falls, but after I left the crowds behind, I didn't see a soul.

The skies were gray and the afternoon seemed dull and lifeless, but the weather forecast was for sunny skies the next day. I was mindful of my weak left ankle and my tender left big toe, so I walked carefully up the steep stretches of the trail. Since I had plenty of time, I walked at a moderate pace and my toe and ankle gave me no problems at all.

Dismal Draw camp

I set up camp and made a fire to make it a little more cheerful. I read the essay Nature from a book of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Not sure I understood most of it. Had dinner (freeze dried lasagna, not very good) and kept reading. Got in my sleeping bag at 8:30 and fell asleep soon after.

Woke up at 5:45, had coffee and granola for breakfast and started hiking at 7:15. It was a cool, clear morning and it was pleasant to hike in the fresh morning air. 

Looking across to Storm King Mountain in the morning mist

The trail zigzags up an Eastern-facing slope that has a stand of mature hemlock and Doug fir. Nice and open with hardly any underbrush.

I counted 41 switchbacks as I slowly made my way up the slope. The trail is in great shape, with a smooth tread and a steady grade. What a pleasure to hike. I took a 15 minute break every hour, and I was pleased to see that my legs held up well. My toe and my ankle also did fine. On the advice of my niece, Annie Jo, I used two hiking poles this trip, and I think they helped me walk in a more upright and balanced way, which helped my feet.

I arrived at the Aurora Ridge trail junction at 10:45 and was swarmed with clouds of mosquitoes. I had planned to take a nice long break at this point, but instead I put on my headnet and long sleeved shirt and kept on going.

 

 The top of the ridge

The last 1.8 miles along the ridgetop was tougher than I expected, but I arrived at the junction with the Happy Lake Ridge trail just before noon. I was last at this junction in 2020, when I hiked the Happy Lake Ridge loop. 

Proof that I made it to the top

Turned around and started down. Found a good place for lunch and a brief rest, then continued on. My legs felt good so I just kept going down the switchbacks. It was lovely in the afternoon air, ambling down the trail.

 

Going down through the big timber

Got back to camp at 3:15 and took a good long rest, including a short nap. I was tired, but I wanted to get home and sleep in my own bed, so at 4:00 I shouldered my pack and started back to the car. The last four miles were weary ones with many short breaks, but I got back to the car at 6:00 and called Katy.

Stopped at a hamburger drive-through joint in Port Angeles and got a double cheeseburger. It tasted great! Home by 8:30.