Kelsie, Kristin, Jayne, Peggy, Stefani |
Staircase Rapids Loop 3/13/13
Today was for the girls, and apparently the rain. Five of us ladies went on a nice little day hike up to Staircase Rapids by Lake Cushman. The weather didn’t look promising but we were dedicated to go rain or shine. On the drive down from Bremerton, through Belfair and Union, the rain subsided and the sunshine peaked through the clouds. We got our hopes up but as soon as we got onto Hwy 101 the downpour started. Way too late to turn back now…but we weren’t going to anyways!
The road was really pot-holey. Im not that good at avoiding them, but it was avoidable enough...for the most part. There was also a fire truck on the road. We weren't sure what it was up there for or what they were doing because as we drove up they were turning around on the narrow road.
The pay station at the park entrance was closed when we got there, maybe it isn’t open for the season yet? There wasn’t too much activity at the trail head either but more cars than I would have expected with the current weather. A decent size group with multiple children were getting ready to hit the trail. It looked like they were all ready to go with their umbrellas and I didn’t hear a single kid complaining about the rain! Little troopers!
The trail starts by crossing a bridge right over the North Folk Skokomish River. Follow it to the right along a wide, well maintained trail. This is a very popular place to hike, very family friendly, so I was surprised that I was the only one in our group that has been here! I’ve hiked Staircase Rapids twice, once when I was much younger and another time just a couple years ago. I was hurt that last time because I’m a klutz and wiped out the day before, but this is an easy enough hike to do so we went anyways!
Me & Kelsie |
The trail is covered with big puddles that are hard to avoid and even if we managed to keep our feet dry out of the puddles the rain took care of the rest. The tree cover helped a little with the downpour, but we still got soaked none the less. Just a few moments into the trail there is a side trail that leads to Big Cedar, a huge cedar tree that had fallen in the 90’s. The sign says the tree is 17 feet in diameter, it’s pretty darn big! The path ends at the base where you are dwarfed by the roots of this giant. It’s worth the side trip, it wont take you more than a few minutes and it’s pretty cool.
Sturdy new bridge! |
The sun came out a little bit! |
Instead of heading straight back down to the trailhead once we crossed the river we decided to venture up the North Fork Skokomish Trail. It goes much farther but we only walked maybe 15 minutes up just to check it out before heading back. Trail is in great condition as well, and less puddles! Tons of elk poo piles along this trail but we didn’t see any elk ourselves. We stopped back by the bridge to have a quick lunch and snacks before finishing the hike back. A couple small rivers to cross, at times it looked like we would have to ford the river but as you make one turn you finally notice the little bridges. At the larger crossing we stopped for a picture opportunity and unfortunately Kristin’s phone decided to go for a swim. She didn’t notice until we were down the trail a little ways (somehow she noticed when here babybell cheese fell out but not her phone!) so we went back searching for it. We couldn’t really see right under the bridge with the water moving so fast so Kristin went back farther in hopes it fell out on the trail somewhere. Some how we ended up spotting her phone in the river just below the bridge! With a long stick and Kelsie reaching into the cold water we were able to retrieve it and, believe it or not, it was still on and working! It had to have been in the water for about 15 mins. I am shocked that, not only did we find it, but it didn’t break. Whatever phone that is, I recommend it to everyone!
Right before the end (or the beginning if you start at the North Fork TH) the trail is washed out and rerouted. You can see the Wagon Wheel trail from the new section now. I’m not sure if you could always see it since I’ve never been on that side but it looks like you wouldn’t have been able to see from the original trail. Back at the TH it was pouring again. Maybe it was the entire time and we were just sparred a bit from the tree cover. Back at the cars there was a Ranger patrolling and there were a few less cars left.
Did a total of 3.88 miles (in the pouring rain!) in about 1.5 hours (moving). Soaking wet we headed home and sure enough the sun started coming out again!! That’s ok, it was a fun day spent with the girls!
Pictures courtesy of Kdub & Kelsie. :)
Gazing into nature. |
North Fork Skokomish River |
The end |
Nice blog! Definitely helps to promote hiking even for the most novice a hiker.
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