Hume's Ranch, Hurricane Ridge

A little less trip report and a little more go with the flow fun time weekend report. New friendships were to be had this past weekend, brought together by Instagram, hashing, and however else. Ahh social networking, and I now understand Instagram better! #itsridiculous.

Frosty morning

Friday four of us united up in Port Angeles where we were to start our journey with a short backpacking trip down by the Elwha River. A little behind schedule we got a later start so we hiked in a couple miles to Hume’s Ranch, I only had one good wipeout before needing to turn on our headlamps. Little do they know I probably would have tripped myself in the day light too. J

With camp all set up in the field the adventure was in full swing. Spirits were toasted as we explored the river bed, star gazed, played camp-made charades, and some monkey men climbed the big trees at camp. The weather held out and was beautiful and clear the entire time, but oh so cold!

The next morning one from our party departed and the three of us remaining hiked out our packs back to the car at the trail head for an adventure day. We trekked up from the Whiskey Bend TH to Hurricane Ridge, all the way to the visitor center and then some. The grade was slight but constant and we got to play in the snow! Yay! We made it to the top before dusk and were rewarded with an amazing sunset over the Olympic Mts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's go get a ride

With nightfall upon us we headed up only a short way more before deciding to skip hiking the trail back home then more or less slid down to the road to hitch a ride into town. We didn’t have many options as the road closes at dusk so most visitors have left, but a few cars remained…although they passed right by us without hesitation! We ended up walking down the Heart O’ the Hills Rd towards Port Angeles making a few phone calls to see if anyone would be willing to come get a few hikers many miles from home or a car. Luckily another vehicle headed down the mountain and this time they stopped. They were kind enough to let us hop in the bed of their truck and delivered us only a few blocks from home where we could get another car to retrieve the one left at the TH, after dinner of course! Oh boy was that a cold car ride! No complaining though, I’m grateful for a ride and they were really friendly. They didn’t even question all the ridiculous sounds coming from the back of their truck as three crazy people were yelling and “barking” through the tunnels!

Once everything was settled and cars were picked up and back at the house we headed down to watch some live music… and apparently belly dancers and Salmonella, the local Queen in town, for a fund raising event. She was absolutely fabulous! I didn’t think a small town like PA had it in them for such a good time, but then again local places usually are better! Like that place we had burgers…OMG SO GOOD! Whatever it was called (of course I can’t remember), definitely going there after a hike again up that way.

One more day left in the weekend and it was surely not wasted. Headed back to Bremerton for a little running, beer and good times to top it all off. What a trip. Started out Friday being little more than strangers and ending up with great stories and a weekend of awesomeness with friends. Thanks guys for the good time and not feeding me to wild animals (although you did have me going there at the end about a bear, lol!) Hope to adventure some more soon!