Pyramid Mountain July 27, 2023

 On a lovely sunny day, I hiked from the Railroad trail on Lake Crescent to the top of Pyramid Peak, about 7 miles and 2,500 feet elevation gain.

I left home at 7:00 am and arrived at the trailhead in time to start hiking at 9:30. A young woman and an older couple were just ahead of me, and I had a nice chat with them at the top.

Going up through the big trees in the morning

The lower trail is quite nice hiking, with a steady incline and a nice tread. After an hour I reached a big slide that the trail crosses. The trail reports made a big deal about the danger crossing the slide because of the difficulty of finding good footing on the shifting gravel, but I had no trouble.

The big slide

I took a break just after the slide, then continued on the the top and arrived at 12:15. The last half of the trail was considerably steeper with some switchbacks, and I found myself stopping for short rest breaks often.

Looking down on Lake Crescent

At the top I found the old lookout building in good shape. It was built during WWII to spot Japanese ships coming up the Strait of Jan de Fuca, and it's been maintained well. Looking down from the peak, Lake Crescent appears as a deep blue jewel, with tiny colorful dots that are kayaks. You can look right down on top of Crescent Lodge. Lovely view.

The old lookout

I ate my lunch in the shade of the lookout and had a comfortable conversation with Jim Clyburn and his wife. Jim is a retired Forest Service employee and worked on the Tongass National Forest and the Willamette National Forest, same as me, so we had a lot to talk about. Jim and his wife pointed out several plants and gave their names. They're involved in conserving endangered species of wild plants in the Cascades.

On the way down

At 1:00 I started down, taking it slow and easy. Arrived at the car at 2:45 and started home, arriving by 5:15.

Marmot Pass hike July 20, 2023

Finally got up to the mountains after a month of other activities (plein air painting in the San Juan Islands and a watercolor workshop with artist Eric Wiegardt). Guy and I hiked to Marmot Pass on a warm, sunny day. 11.2 miles and 3,600 feet elevation gain.

We left at 6:45 am and got to the trailhead in time to start hiking at 8:35. It was pleasantly cool on the lower trail, although I felt a bit sluggish. We got to Shelter Rock camp around ten, then started up the incline on the south slope. 

Hiking the lower trail in the morning shadows

 By the time we got to the avalanche paths, it was getting hot and we were both getting tired. We took lots of short breaks to catch our breath.

Flowers in the avalanche paths

We made it to Camp Mystery about 12:00 and collapsed under some trees near the creek. We had a good lunch and a short nap.

Guy at lunch

About 12:45 we started up the trail, both of us feeling quite a bit better. Guy really got a second wind. We made it to the pass at 2:05 and took a few photos. After a short break, we started down. 

At the pass

Guy exploring Marmot Pass

Me at the pass

Took it pretty easy on the way down, kept the pace slow and took 15 minute breaks every hour. Got back to the car at 5:05 and started home. Katy had turkey burgers and potato salad for dinner. Delicious!

I was careful not to strain my Achilles tendon and my left ankle. I did pretty good until we started down. The pounding on the way down was hard on my left big toe and ankle, but I got back to the car without any major problems. I was discouraged about how fatigued I was around noon. Last year I made it to the pass in an hour less than this year.

Dosewallips River Hike May 22, 2023

 For my first hike of the season, I hiked up the Dosewallips River to the old campground, about 13 miles and 1,600 feet elevation gain. This was my first hike with my new Oboz boots. I bought them because my new orthotic inserts fit in them and allow me to wear a lighter boot than the old heavy boots I used last year. So much lighter!

I had a quick breakfast of oatmeal and a banana and left home at 6:40 am. Arrived at the trailhead and started hiking at 8:03. It was a nice cool morning and there were only two other cars at the trailhead.

Starting out in the cool morning air.

 I walked briskly up the first section of trail which is on the old road bed and is flat and well-graveled. Got around the washout easily and continued past the turnoff to Elkhorn Campground. 

The washout

 As the road started to get steeper, I slowed down but still made good progress. I took two rest  breaks and arrived at the campground at 11:08. Checked out the old ranger station buildings, which took hits from falling trees last winter and are looking kind of dilapidated.

The old Forest Service car campground

Had lunch leaning against a big log in the middle of the campground. Peanut butter, crackers, raisins, cheese, chocolate and a granola bar.

Lunch at the campground

At 11:47 I started down. Stopped at the falls to watch the huge torrent of snowmelt rushing over the rocks. 

Dosewallips Falls

The view on the way down

Before I started in the morning, I was a little worried about the Achilles tendon on my left foot because it had given me some pain on my daily walks. It felt all right on the way up the trail but when I started down it began to hurt. I tried adjusting my boot and slowing down. Sometimes the pain eased up and other times it was worse.

By the time I got to the last mile, it was hurting badly but I just ignored it and pushed through the pain. That probably wasn't such a good idea, because it hurt for days afterward.

Got to the car, very tired, at 2:08 and drove home. Stopped in Quilcene for coffee at the coffee stand and an ice cream bar at the store.

Lower part of Hurricane Ridge Trail, September 19, 2022

I forgot to take my phone on this hike, so the post has no photos.

I hiked from the Madison Falls parking lot on the lower Elwha River up the Hurricane Ridge trail until I came out into the alpine meadows. I had lunch, then returned the way I came.

I split this trail into two parts so I could do it in two day hikes. This hike was the lower section. Later I'll hike from the Hurricane Ridge parking lot down to the point where I left off in the meadows.

I left home at 6:00 am and started hiking at 8:00. One hour of brisk hiking on the road brought me to the trailhead at 9:00. The trail climbs steadily through the forest with many switchbacks. At first there was a lot of ferns and brush, but as I got higher the forest became more open. It seemed like I was crawling up the switchbacks, stopping often for rest breaks, but as the morning wore on I made good progress. It was a lovely day, cool and clear.

About noon I began to see a break in the forest above, and soon I came out into the bottom of the meadows. I lost the trail and had to break through the bushes until I came across it higher on the slope. I struggled up one more switchback and took my lunch break at 12:40 pm.

I could see everything in the Elwha River valley below. It was gratifying to see the areas I've hiked in the past, especially up the Elwha and up Boulder Creek. After lunch I hiked up another switchback to a prominent tree that I can use as a landmark when I return to finish the trail. This was about 4,500 feet elevation.

I started back down at 1:20 and enjoyed an easy descent. The trail seemed so much more pleasant on the way down. I got to the trailhead at 4:00 and I was exhausted and my feet were sore. Took a twenty minute break, but my legs didn't want to get up and hike again.

Hiked down the road slowly and finally came to the trailhead at 5:00. I was glad to change my shoes and get in the comfortable seat of the car.

Got an ice cream cone in Port Angeles and arrived home for dinner at 7:00.

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.

Barnes Creek on a hot day

Hiked up Barnes Creek near Lake Crescent to Dismal Draw camp. 8 miles and 1,400 feet elevation gain.

I wanted to check out the campsite at Dismal Draw to see if it would be a good place to camp on my way to hike to the top of Happy Lake Ridge. In Robert Woods' guide book, he mentions a camp here with water, so I thought I'd check it out.

Left home at 6:30 am, got to the trailhead at Storm King Ranger Station and started hiking by 8:45. Still pretty cool under the big trees and not too many hikers on the Marymere Falls trail.

 The creek is quite lovely in the lower reaches.

The trail goes up and down as it avoids several cliffs next to the creek. I found myself getting tired on the uphill sections. It was a warm day and the heat seemed to sap my energy.

 Made it to the Dismal Draw Camp at 10:45 and took a break. It's not really dismal, in fact it seemed kind of peaceful and quiet. Nice little brook nearby.

Continued up the trail past the junction that leads to the Aurora Ridge Trail. 

Turned back after a particularly good viewpoint looking out over Barnes Creek and Storm King Mountain. Had lunch at the campsite and took a good 15-minute nap. Started down at 12:45

On the way up, my left ankle was giving me trouble. Because I'm favoring my left big toe, there's additional stress on my ankle. Made it to the car at 2:35 and started home. Got a coffee at Starbucks in Sequim and made it home by 5:00.

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.

Dosewallips River hike

I planned to hike to the Dosewallips Ranger Station for an early season hike. There used to be a gravel road all the way to the ranger station, but the road washed out in 2003, making it only a foot trail on the old road bed. The weather forecast called for rain in the afternoon, but I decided to go anyway and I was lucky. It was overcast the whole day, but no rain.

My plan was to hike a couple of hours, then turn around. But when I got to the park boundary and the sign said only 1.2 miles to the campground, I decided to go all the way. I hiked 13.5 miles in total with 1,100 feet elevation gain. Pretty good for early in the season.

 

The approach from the parking area is now a mile longer than it used to be because the Forest Service blocked the entrance road at a small slide. This isn't all bad, because the first mile is a pleasant stroll along a flat trail. The main road washout a mile in is easier to get around now, and I had no trouble. (The last time I hiked this trail was in 2014).

The old road makes a good surface for the first major hike of the year. The fine gravel surface and steady incline makes it easy to stride along.

 I left home at 7:45 and started hiking at 9:15. I explored Elkhorn Campground located at mile 1.5, and found it's a delightful area along the river with many fine campsites. It would make for an easy overnight someday. From the campground, the road leads steadily upward, and once I got my stride, the miles seemed to fly by. My legs felt fine and I took only one or two breaks.

When I got to the falls, the canyon was filled with the sound of rushing water from melting snowpack up higher. The amount of water crashing down the rocks is stunning. Took a few photos to capture the magnificent volume. From there it was an easy stroll to the campground, although by this time my legs were getting tired. 

I hiked up to the old ranger station to find that it has deteriorated a lot since I was last here. A couple of trees have fallen, shearing off parts of the porch roof. An man in his sixties launched into a long description of the place. He said he's come to this campground since he was a boy, and he often makes the hike once a week. Lots of lore about the place.

Ate lunch at a picnic table by the river and started down. My legs were complaining and my left big toe hurt on the downhill sections. Probably I should have cut this hike a bit shorter, but I just kept trundling along and got back to the car by 3:15. A good day!

Appleton Pass and Happy Lake Ridge August 16-22, 2020

August 16-22, 2020

Starting out from the trailhead at Sol Duc River

I've been planning this hike all summer. I spent the week before the hike getting my gear together and dehydrating food for my meals. I made lists and checked everything off so I knew I was ready. On Sunday after church I came home, took a brief rest, and loaded up my gear in the car. I'd hope to get away by 3:00, but there are always last minute things to do, and I didn’t get away until 4:00. I arrived at the Sol Duc trailhead at 6:30, sat down at one of the picnic tales and had a cold dinner of crackers, summer sausage, cheese, raisins, and cookies.

At 7:00 I shouldered my pack and started up the Sol Duc trail. There were still quite a few people coming down the trail, although it was getting near dusk. I hustled along because I wanted to get to my campsite before dark. Made it to the Sol Duc Falls junction in 20 minutes and kept going. Finally at 7:55 I arrived at Sol Duc Campsite #1. I quickly found a tree to hang my food in, slung a rope over a branch, and hauled it up. This campsite is just a wide spot in the trail, but it’s under huge Douglas Fir trees and quite nice. Settled into my sleeping bag and listened to my MP3 player.

 

Sol Duc Campsite #1

On this trip I listened to The Greatest Thirty Orchestral Works with Professor Robert Greenberg.. He’s a very articulate, enthusiastic speaker. He explains  The structure of the music and offers a biography of the composer. This trip I listened to him discourse on Mozart and Hayden. After a few nights I started listening to Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. Last year I listened to Tortilla Flats by Steinbeck. The books are quite similar, each one about a group of ne’er-do-well bums and scalawags who experience a series of delightful misadventures.

I fell asleep but later I woke up to lightning and thunder off to the west. The forecast had no rain in it, but I got up and set up my tarp, just to be sure. It never did rain.

Woke up under the big firs feeling fresh. Had breakfast and started up the trail by 7:30. It was a lovely summer day, with deep blue skies and temps in the 70s. I got to the trail junction and started up the switchbacks to Appleton Pass. It was a good trail and I took my time going up. I’m in pretty god shape because I had Seven day hikes this summer to prepare for this trip. I made it to the top of the Pass about noon and settled down to eat lunch. 

 

The trail up to Appleton Pass

 

The pass crosses an open ridge with great views to the north. I looked down on the Boulder Creek drainage and I could see across to Happy Lake Ridge as well. Lots of great campsites along Appleton Pass, and I chose one just above Oyster Lake. Had lunch, rested and took a nap. In the afternoon I wandered up the ridge to a small peak that overlooked the valley From there I could see off to the south, including Mount Olympus, with its massive shoulders of glaciers and peaks, as well as Seven Lakes Basin and Deer Lake.

Mt. Appleton. My camp was to the left of the photo.

Looking down on Oyster Lake

Mt. Olympus

I met a young guy camped on top of the ridge in a meadow and two Park Service scientists who were taking water samples from Oyster Lake.

Came back to my campsite and made dinner but the mosquitoes were fierce. Ended up wearing my headnet while I cooked, but the skeeters swarmed all around my head. Any exposed flesh was immediately attacked. Had to eat lifting my headset one spoonful at a time. Laid down in my bag to go to sleep but they still swarmed me, and it was too warm to really close off the sleeping bag. It was long after dark when it got cool enough for the mosquitoes to subside. Then during the night a cold breeze came up across the ridge and made me uncomfortable. Didn’t sleep very well.

In the morning the mosquitoes were out in force. I made breakfast and ate it walking in the meadow trying to keep the mosquitoes off. It was a relief to start hiking. The trail down the north side of the Pass plunges down a series of steep switchbacks, then travels through a jumbled canyon where the trail is rocky and brushy. In places the brush was well over my head and so thick it obscured the trail beneath my feet. Awkward going. 

Bridge across Boulder Creek

Kept on going through a series of switchbacks down to the lower part of the trail. Stopped to take a look at Upper Boulder Creek Falls. Very steep canyon that makes it difficult to get a good view of the falls. Went a little further and stopped off at Lower Boulder Creek Falls. Although not as tall as the upper falls, they’re quite impressive. Took a video of the water roaring over the falls.

 

Lower Boulder Creek Falls

Continued down the trail, rather tired, and got to Boulder Creek Campground about noon. Asked directions from a couple in their thirties who said showed me where the campsites were. The campground used to be a car campground until the road washed out, so there are nice big camping sites under big fir trees. Quite a lovely place. I took ownership of a nice open site with a big log to lean up against. Had lunch, took a nap and relaxed. Put my food up on the bear wire and looked around a bit. The nearest water is all the way down at the creek, which was a five minute walk down the switchbacks. Got water, returned to my campsite to rest up.

 

Relaxing at Boulder Creek Campground

 

Later I went down to the creek, crossed to nice big footbridge and looked for the hot springs. The first looked like a big mud puddle with rocks around it, and the second was about the same but larger. Not very inviting. I wandered further until I saw a trail going straight up the hillside. I followed it and found a nice little hot spring pool. The water was clear so I took off my clothes and eased myself in. It was just the right temperature, like a hot bath. There was a stone to sit on so I didn’t have to sit on the mud bottom. It was pretty relaxing. Returned to camp, made dinner, listened to The Thirty Greatest Orchestral Works.

Hot springs pool

In the morning I woke up early, had granola for breakfast and started hiking by 7:00. I knew I had a long day ahead and wanted to get an early start. I hiked down the old road which has been abandoned by the Park Service and turned into a trail. Nice easy hiking. Got to the Happy Lake Ridge trailhead by 8:45, took a break and started up the switchbacks at 9:00. It was a lovely clear morning with blue skies and cool temperatures.

 

The trail up to Happy Lake Ridge

The trail is steep but the ascent is steady and the tread is very good, mostly pine needles. I took it slow, stopping whenever I was out of breath and resting fifteen minutes after every thirty minutes of hiking. By noon I had made it to 4,000 feet and took a 45 minute lunch break. Continued on and had some nice views of Mt. Olympus and Mt. Carrie to the south. When the trail reached the top of the ridge, it leveled out a bit and I made it to the junction t9 Happy Lake by 3:00. Sat down, pulled out my phone and called Katy. I was shocked when she answered and sounded like she was right next to me. I asked if she could pick me up at the Elwha River and take me back to my car. That way I wouldn’t have to go back over Appleton Pass on Friday when it was likely to be raining. It was great to hear her voice.

Started down to the trail to Happy Lake. By this time it had clouded over and it felt like a front was moving in. The trail to the lake is kind of rough and steep, but I got there by 3:30. Looked around a bit and found a campsite under a tree that provided some protection from the wind. While I was resting, the guy I met at Appleton Pass showed up. We had a short chat and I left to set up my camp. I was pretty tired after climbing 3,700 feet in elevation.

 

Happy Lake on a cloudy afternoon

My campsite at Happy Lake

 

Happy Lake was dark green, hemmed in by trees with a couple of grassy areas near the upper end. With the clouds moving in, it seemed like kind of a gloomy place. Maybe in the sunshine it looks like a happy lake. Set up camp, made dinner with m6 headset on to ward of the mosquitoes. At least they weren’t as bad as the previous night.

It rained during the night, but I was dry and warm under my tarp. Woke up, had breakfast and started by 8:30. I was still tired after yesterday’s ascent so I struggled to make the miles on this day. The brush was wet from the rain so I put on my rain pants which made it which more comfortable. The hiking was fairly easy along the ridge, with the trail dipping and rising every so often. I had a few good views of Aurora Ridge, but the clouds prevented me from seeing Crescent Lake or any other view. I had intended to hike the 1.8 miles out the Aurora Ridge trail to pick up that section, but I was too tired and it was too wet. 

The trail along Happy Lake Ridge

Looking off toward Aurora Ridge

Took a break when I reached the junction, then started down to Boulder Lake, shrouded in clouds. The trail goes steeply down and has a series of switchbacks before it gets to the lake. Arrived about noon and took a good break in the nice campsite in a cluster of trees. 

Lunch at Boulder Lake campsite

 

Boulder Lake

After lunch I took a walk through the meadows near the lake and enjoyed lots of wildflowers. It began to rain lightly as I left the lake and started downhill to Boulder Creek Campground. I met a couple of women coming up for a day hike. I was tired but I wanted to get to camp before it rained so I kept going. 

 

Got to camp about 3 pm and settled my bones under a cedar tree that kept the rain from falling on me. After a while I got up and set up my tarp between two big trees. Pretty nice campsite with lots of flat area. The rain began to fall steadily but I just curled up with a crossword puzzle. Made dinner and lowered the tarp so no rain could get under the edges. Slept warm and dry.

 

My camp at Boulder Creek Campground

Woke up to light rain, had breakfast, started down the same trail I hiked on two days before. The rain increased, and by the time I passed the Happy Lake trailhead it was really raining. I had my rain jacket and rain pants on, and I put the rain cover over my pack. It was pouring for a good part of the way. Passed a number of young people going up the road, about half of them on bikes. One young women on a bike was soaked but she seemed quite cheerful as she pedaled up the road. I could feel the rain starting to penetrate my rain gear.

Rain in the trees on the way down the road

Rainy hiking

Finally at noon I stopped at the site of the old dam. There was an outhouse there with a small porch, so I curled up out of the rain and had some trail mix. It felt good to rest up out of the rain. Continued down the road. More people came by, including young families. Crossed the bridge and came to the ranger station and warehouse compound. I sat under the porch of one of the buildings and had lunch. Took a good long break because I was tired. It stopped raining and began to show some small patches of blue sky.

As I sat there, I imagined what it must have been like in that compound in the fifties and sixties. Crews getting ready to go out on the trail or returning, supplies being loaded and unloaded, trucks, horses, men milling around. It must have been an exciting place to be. I’m glad that they’ve reroofed the building with cedar shakes and seem to want to preserve the buildings.

Walked on down the road expecting to camp at Elwha Campground. Unfortunately it was washed out when the road was washed out by the river. I had to take the bypass trail to get around the washout and it was more difficult than I expected. I was fatigued, so climbing up a couple hundred feet seemed like a long ways. Finally got around it and I could see the Madison Falls parking lot, so I started looking for a place to camp. Took a fisherman’s trail along the river but it was overgrown with trees and brush. Finally found a tree to sit under and take a break. After a while I found a place near the river, but I waited to set up there because so many people were passing by. The trailhead at Madison Falls parking lot was jammed with vehicles and there was a steady stream of hikers up the road. The sun came out for a while and made the river sparkle, and I soaked up the warm sun. Finally made camp, had supper, and put up the tarp.

The sun breaks through on the Elwha River near my campsite

My campsite near the Elwha River

I slept well. In the morning I had breakfast and started down the road. Strange to walk on a road with regular houses on it. By 9:30 I came out on Highway 101 and waited for Katy to pick me up. She arrived precisely at ten. It was good to see her and know I had reached the end of my journey. We drove to Sol Duc trailhead, picked up my car and started back home. We stopped at Crescent Lake Lodge and had a picnic next to the lake. I was hungry and the food tasted great. We got home by about 3:00.