Where Curiosity Takes Me: Duckabush River Overnight

The forecast was for the mid 60’s the entire weekend making it the nicest weekend so far for 2013 so we took the opportunity to spend Easter weekend out camping! We left home at 9:00 and drove the 1.5 hours to the trail head. Even with the beautiful weather we were experiencing I was surprised how many people were there. I think we counted 9 cars parked at the trailhead by the time we started our hike. Quite a few dogs as well, including our 2 that we brought. My dad and I had hiked this trail 9 years earlier as a day hike and it was interesting to see the parts that we remembered and the aftermath of the fire that unfortunately blazed through the area in September 2011 burning over 1,200 acres within the Brothers Wilderness. It was slow moving for us, being the first backpacking trip of the year and in a while, it took us about 4.5 hours to get to Five Mile Camp. Another backpacker and his dog that passed us on our way up was already set up and resting, he said it took him only 2.5 hours to get there. Maybe we need to get out and exercise some!

Emily, me, and Catherine 2004

Entering the Wilderness, my dad and I 2013

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the views were amazing at the multiple break spots we took overlooking the forest. By the time we got up and over Big Hump we were all feeling the effects of the heat and the extra weight on our backs. Luckily we weren’t too far from camp where we would be able to relax by the river. About half a mile left to the camp and I fall, twisting my ankle and worried I wouldn’t make it the last leg of our journey. Good thing my dad brought his walking stick (since I forgot to grab my poles) and that helped make the last descent manageable and we were so close to resting for the rest of the evening. We were tired and wondering if we’d ever get to the campsites! I had never gone this far on this trail but when talking to another couple along the hike they said part of the camping sites had been washed away.

Dad's pointing to the elk below.

Right above the campground we saw a dead elk partially buried in what looks like a slide. Our thought is that the tree above it fell on it before the winter and was buried under the snow and it’s just now being thawed out. A little worrisome that it’s right above the campground, but hopefully any animals that would want to munch on it won’t go near there with the campers so close below.

Little bit of snow left, elk not far off to the right of the trail.

We only stayed one night and brrr it was cold! I’m glad I had bought a sleeping bag liner last month…but it didn’t really do enough. I think I need a warmer sleeping bag since I’m getting braver and going camping in the colder weather now! Poor Jasmine was cold too and her and I both tossed and turned all night long trying to stay warm. Dad said he was quite toasty though! It was hard to get up the next morning and face the chill, but after a cup of hot coco and some hand warmers I was ready to pack up and get home in time for Easter dinner. We saw some of the backpackers that had passed us on the way up leaving as we got ready, they must have stayed just inside the park boundary at the next campsites we were told were there. With the dogs this was as far as we were allowed, which was fine as I don’t think any of us were up for continuing any farther!

Our hike down was only about 50 mins faster than the hike up. We passed maybe 7 or so people heading up, stopped and talked to a few. A couple of guys were up there scouting for a future trail work party with WTA. One of the guys, Greg, stopped and talked to us a bit. Like some of the people he already passed, we mentioned the dead elk up there by the campground. I wonder how they will dispose of that, it sure is a big animal. Over the past couple years there have been many trail work parties on this trail and it’s looking pretty good. If all the work didn’t need to be after the switchbacks I would consider coming out and helping too! I am overdue for some trail work after all.

Downed trees above trail.

Back at the car there were just as many cars as the previous day, everyone seemed to be taking advantage of this weather! Be warned, at the trailhead there was a lot of glass on the ground from broken windows. I didn’t have any problems with my car staying there overnight, nor did I notice any problems with the other cars. The road was full of potholes coming in, but some unlucky fellows were put to work on Easter Sunday repairing the roads. They were in the process of smoothing the road back out when we left, it was a very nice and much smoother ride.

I’m super glad we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and nature and start the season off right!

Here's a few more pictures and some more from when we hiked it back in 2004 for comparison.