Saturday, August 25, 2012
Cape Mountain hike
On Saturday, Guy, Chad, Brittany, and I hiked the Cape Mountain trail. We've hiked this so many times before it was like seeing an old friend again. It was surprising how much the trees in the old clearcut have grown. We used to be able to see above them, and now they block the view.
When we got to the top, we lay around in the grass and enjoyed the warm sun, then we started down.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Oregon Dunes Overlook Trail
For my 2012 vacation, Guy and I drove to Florence where we visited Chad and Brittany, who are renting a small house for August and September. On Friday, Guy, Chad, Brittany and I hiked the Oregon Dunes Overlook trail.
It was a sunny day but it was windy. We hiked out to the beach, then south on the beach to the Takenitch River, then back through the dunes. hiking in the soft sand was pretty tiring, but we all enjoyed it.
It was a sunny day but it was windy. We hiked out to the beach, then south on the beach to the Takenitch River, then back through the dunes. hiking in the soft sand was pretty tiring, but we all enjoyed it.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Royal Basin hike
I started out my 2012 summer vacation with a hike with Guy into Royal Lake in Olympic national Park. Guy and I started out Sunday night by hiking a mile from the trailhead to a great campsite along the Dungeness River.
Our campsite along the Dungeness River
On Monday morning, we started up the trail to Royal Lake. It begins fairly gently as it follows Royal Creek though the big timber, but after a couple of miles it gets steep and stays that way all the way to the lake. It was a tough day of hiking, abut 6 miles. We arrived at the lake about 3:00 and dumped our packs. The are is heavily used and the Park Service has strict rules about where you can camp. We found a good campsite and Guy took a nap while I explored the meadows around the lake.
Guy arriving at Royal Lake.
On Tuesday morning, I hiked up to the upper basin while Guy slept in. I hiked around a beautiful glacier-blue tarn and marveled at the peaks above me. What a beautiful alpine bowl. On the way back, a group of hikers pointed out six or eight marmots on the hill above the upper meadow.
Breakfast the first morning.
On Monday morning, we started up the trail to Royal Lake. It begins fairly gently as it follows Royal Creek though the big timber, but after a couple of miles it gets steep and stays that way all the way to the lake. It was a tough day of hiking, abut 6 miles. We arrived at the lake about 3:00 and dumped our packs. The are is heavily used and the Park Service has strict rules about where you can camp. We found a good campsite and Guy took a nap while I explored the meadows around the lake.
One of the avalanche chutes on the way up to the lake.
Arriving at Royal Lake.
Guy taking a break on the way up to Royal Lake
A meadow with late afternoon shadows.
On Tuesday morning, I hiked up to the upper basin while Guy slept in. I hiked around a beautiful glacier-blue tarn and marveled at the peaks above me. What a beautiful alpine bowl. On the way back, a group of hikers pointed out six or eight marmots on the hill above the upper meadow.
As I looked back toward Royal Lake, I could see low clouds moving up the lower valley.
After I got back to camp, I took a few pictures of the lake in the early morning.
After I got back to camp, Guy had breakfast. We started out about 10:20 and got to the trailhead about 1:30. It was a great hike!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Hike to Silver Lake
This weekend I decided to hike in to Silver Lake. Since I'd worked every day the previous week for Vacation Bible School, I took Monday off. Silver Lake is a side trail off of the Mt. Townsend trail. I figured this would be an interesting addition to that hike.
I had a couple of extra things to do after church on Sunday, but I left as soon as I could. Got home at 3 pm, packed up and left the house by 4:30. I left the trailhead at 7 pm, later than I would have liked. I hiked at a good pace because I wanted to get to the lake before dark.
I made it to the trail junction and then continued on upward to the pass. Then down the other side, with the sun shining on the ridges above me. I was getting tired as I came down to the creek. I passed a young family, a mom and dad with four little kids. They were all very cheerful.
I struggled up to the lake, arriving just before dark. I was surprised to find that there were many campsites filled with people. Luckily I found a small meadow and laid out my sleeping bag. I hung my food in a tree just as the family I'd passed on the trail arrived. I offered to share the little meadow with them and they were grateful.
It was nice listening to them making camp because the mom and dad were very patient and the kids were so cheerful. No complaining, no back-talk. They dad asked two of the older kids to get water and they took off into the darkness, coming back shortly with a pan full of water.
I slept under the stars, watching the meteor shower. One flared into a bright red streak before burning out. There was a cool breeze all night and my bag got slightly damp. Luckily I slept pretty well anyway.
In the morning I made breakfast and was hiking by 7:30 am. I left my pack and hiked up the pass above Silver lake. The views were wonderful and the morning felt fresh and cool. What a beautiful place!
I got lots of photos:
At 8:45 I picked up my pack and started back to the car. I was tired and hiked considerably slower than the night before. By 11:45 I was at the trailhead.
I had a couple of extra things to do after church on Sunday, but I left as soon as I could. Got home at 3 pm, packed up and left the house by 4:30. I left the trailhead at 7 pm, later than I would have liked. I hiked at a good pace because I wanted to get to the lake before dark.
I made it to the trail junction and then continued on upward to the pass. Then down the other side, with the sun shining on the ridges above me. I was getting tired as I came down to the creek. I passed a young family, a mom and dad with four little kids. They were all very cheerful.
I struggled up to the lake, arriving just before dark. I was surprised to find that there were many campsites filled with people. Luckily I found a small meadow and laid out my sleeping bag. I hung my food in a tree just as the family I'd passed on the trail arrived. I offered to share the little meadow with them and they were grateful.
It was nice listening to them making camp because the mom and dad were very patient and the kids were so cheerful. No complaining, no back-talk. They dad asked two of the older kids to get water and they took off into the darkness, coming back shortly with a pan full of water.
I slept under the stars, watching the meteor shower. One flared into a bright red streak before burning out. There was a cool breeze all night and my bag got slightly damp. Luckily I slept pretty well anyway.
Making breakfast
My camp at Silver Lake
In the morning I made breakfast and was hiking by 7:30 am. I left my pack and hiked up the pass above Silver lake. The views were wonderful and the morning felt fresh and cool. What a beautiful place!
I got lots of photos:
Looking down onto Silver Lake
At 8:45 I picked up my pack and started back to the car. I was tired and hiked considerably slower than the night before. By 11:45 I was at the trailhead.
The switchbacks on the west side of the pass. Silver Lake is just below the patch of snow on the saddle.
Friday, July 27, 2012
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.
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
Friday, July 13, 2012
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!
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.
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