Olympic Hot Springs, Boulder River, Appleton Pass

This past year has been so crazy and filled with awesome adventures!! Although, it’s been a while since I’ve had a good trip outside, since September actually. A coastal trip from Shi Shi to Ozette proceeded by a couple weeks road tripping and visiting Yosemite, Zion and Yellowstone were my last big adventures. Well, here I am trying to get my blogging-ness back!

11/21/14-11/23/14

This weekend my adventure buddy and I braved the cold rain and headed out towards the Olympic Hot Springs. The road to the trail head has been open just about a week now, and you can see they have done an abundance of trail work to clean it up. We had visited the springs a couple times this past year and it was scattered with downed trees. Starting just after 4:00 pm on Friday we ended up at Boulder River camp, 2.5 from the TH, in the dark where we spend the first night. We packed in a ton of yarn and spent the evening dry in the tent making beanies!

Saturday morning we head up towards the snow covered Appleton Pass. Took a couple short side trips to see the lower and upper Boulder River Falls. As the trail comes up to the Boulder River crossing (without the bridge) the river literally takes over the trail. I’m not talking about just a wet trail, the river is flowing down the trail, likely compliments of washouts and dammed up debris after the trail has been mostly unused for the past couple years.

The snow has started covering the ground by now and increased the farther we went. Shortly after the 3500’ sign stating no fires the trail opened up and we basked in the glory of Appleton Pass. By now we had noticed that there were little to no trail markings for snow travel, and with an unmaintained trail the past couple years and expected fresh foot of snow that night we decided to turn around and camp back at the Lower Falls. We were prepared for snow camping but didn’t want to risk getting turned around on our way home Sunday since we wanted to get out in time to soak in the springs!

There is a nice little spot by the Lower Falls we camped at, and woke up to a spotty new dusting of snow. Packed up and heading back towards the springs by 11 we crossed paths with another couple heading up to the pass towards the Sol Duc Hot Springs. I hope they made it! We got to the Olympic Hot Springs and headed to the pool we know as the best. There were already a few people enjoying it, so instead of squeezing in we decided to opt out of a nice soak. I think it was the second best decision we made for the weekend, as we left we counted 15 more people heading in to the springs. It was going to be a crowded time! Of course it was to be expected with the road finally being open, so one can’t be too bummed.

11 cars and a motor home back at the TH, this place must get busy!!! It was a great weekend out in the rain with the best adventure buddy a person could ask for, much overdue.

Olympic Hot Springs 2.5 miles

Boulder River

Appleton Pass

Lazy trip reporter right here! ;)

Why do I always stop blogging when I'm having so many blog worthy times!? In the past few months I have been getting outside as often as I can, unfortunately I haven't been writing any trip reports. What gives!? It's hard to sit at a computer when I can play instead! Just had a fun-filled spring break complete with adventures every day of it! Hopefully I can whip up a little recap soon and share some pics and trail conditions!
Keep on exploring!

Here's a couple from yesterdays walk up Green Mt (Kitsap Peninsula) with Jas, we like to stretch our legs up there when in town to visit family and friends!

 

5 miles RT via Gold Creek trail head up the seconds tallest peak on the peninsula, it's a fairly easy hike with only 1000' gain. Great views of Kitsap, Seattle, and mt ranges from both sides on a clear day, I saw lots of fog this time! Still haven't ran into any motorbikes, but I hear them out there often as they are now allowed on the Gold Creek side. :/



Coastal Adventures - La Push to Ozette

     

During winter break I had the opportunity to get out a lot more than normal! The weekend after Christmas a couple friends and I took a few days to backpack the coast from La Push up to Ozette.

Taylor and I headed out early Saturday morning to stop at the WIC in Port Angeles for permits and bear canisters before making our way to La Push where we busted Quade out of work for some fun! Ok he was already off, but a jail break sounds more exciting. We were shuttled over to Rialto Beach where we donned our packs and started our journey.

Chilean Memorial

Norwegian Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent two nights and three days along the rugged Washington coast, enjoying every moment of it! We stopped at the Chilean Memorial, Hole in the Wall, Norwegian Memorial, and whatever else was along this stretch of super interesting coast. Getting a later start our first day we made it to Cedar Creek at nightfall.

 

Camp was made on the rocky beach right below Starbuck Mine. It’s surprising how comfortable it can be on all those rocks! Only one pesky mouse to bother us, but we managed to scare it off…or at least it was a little sneakier. We were alone on the beach but could spot some headlamps off in the distance north of us. The following morning as we trekked on we passed the campers only to find out we knew them! What a small world! We had been following their tracks wondering if we would ever see other people, maybe they were the ones that left the sand art for us to find as well…forgot to ask them though, darn!

The tide was still too high to pass so we took the overland trail up over the point. This was the first time I HAD to use the trail because of the water level, I’ve gotten to climb along them before while out playing, but it felt more adventurous with my pack on. Lol

 

Many more slippery rocks to cross for miles and miles…and when there weren’t any of those stretches I still found a way to fall and hurt myself! Maybe because I insisted on climbing over things I should walk under and crawl under things I could step over. J This resulted in slipping on a wet tree and almost falling to my demise onto a boulder smashing me knee. It still hurts and it’s been a week! Besides the bruising I may have done something more, it feels weird when I poke at it. :/

Our second night was spent at Yellow Banks. With dusk creeping upon us we spotted a buoy covered site up in the yellow banks! Haha, get it!? We set up camp on the nice rises already in place before finding some dead dry wood for the amazing fire we had! It only took a few hours, but good job guys! No sarcasm, I wouldn’t have gotten one started at all!

Nightfall invited us to a buoy scavenger hunt! If we aren’t able to haul them all out might as well get them off the beach and add to the eclectic feel of the campsite, right? We found a fishing net among the driftwood as well and made a snazzy hammock out of it! I must say, we had the best contribution to that site!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday morning we were to continue the last leg of our trip to meet our ride at the Ozette Ranger Station that afternoon. Since we were close “we can be there any time” was the consensus….high tide had other plans. We played and waited for the tide to recede enough to climb over the rocks and make it safely around. This was a great little section!

Heading up to Sand Point we got a little distracted, there were sand dollars everywhere! We started collecting them, decided to write out PNW, realized we didn’t have enough, ran around collecting more, wrote out PNW, took pictures, then were again behind schedule! So we dashed towards Sand Point, perhaps unnecessary but fun times. We jumped onto the Ozette Loop at Sand Point, not wanting to keep our chauffer waiting, and scurried slipperily along the boardwalk. Yes… slipperily. Boots went sliding across the wet planks although we mostly caught our balance. Only once was I unable to catch my balance so I let myself go and down I went off the boardwalk…what are ya gonna do?!

We took about an hour to get to the parking lot where we dropped our gear and relaxed with some sort of bean concoction cooked up…..delicious! It was now that Mother Nature decided to release the rain that she had been holding back all weekend so we could have an amazing trip! The timing was perfect! We then waited in the shelter for our ride, he was getting some fun in as well with a little trail run, and sang to the passersby. Some odd looks, but one couple that pulled up about half hour before sunset chatted with us and explained how they had traveled there so they could stand at the westernmost spot of the continental US. I didn’t know that was Cape Alava…I learned something new! They weren’t going to beat the sunset, but we encouraged them to go anyways since they came all this way and would not be able to return the following day. Way to go!

Another great adventure for the books. Thanks gentlemen!

 

Looking for a movie? May I recommend...

I enjoy watching documentaries. I can spend a whole day lounging around at home watching one after another on different topics. I haven’t done it in a while and almost forgot how entertaining, heart wrenching, educational and much more it is. I enjoy an array of subjects but especially like the ones focusing on the outdoors and ones bringing awareness on homelessness, poverty and the like. It really opens your eyes and motivates you to do something about it. Oh, and I also like watching ones about animals, ask me about hippos…I spent a day watching all about them once! J

Today, after watching about Skid Row in LA, I watched a group of children living in the subway in Romania. Constantly high on paint thinners and being between the ages of 7 and 16 it’s a sad sight to watch. As depressing as it is, awareness is important (whether it’s here or foreign). What really touched me is one of these kids refuses to beg and will try to work for food/money. When asked what he likes about living on the streets he responds with “to live free!” but this child is smart… what he doesn’t like about living on the streets: “Not to be educated. That no one is there to teach me.”  He goes on to say he liked [nature] science when he went through only 3 years of schooling. No one is a lost cause, they just need people to care and take a chance!

I recommend both of these. They are real eye openers and I hope they encourage you, like they do to me, to do something about it. I know there is MUCH more I can do and I have been trying to find places around town where I can lend a hand. Many churches hold volunteer events as well as organizations that specialize in helping the needy. I’m slowly getting more familiar with opportunities to volunteer around here and I hope to share my time more often.  

Here are the documentaries from tonight, they can both be found on Hulu for free.

Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home (2010)

Children Underground (2001)

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!

Taylor River, Otter Falls

11/16/13

Wet wet WET! This was quite the rainy day hike. After the storm that passed through dumping a lot of snow as low as 2500’ the day prior we decided on a river hike.

On the road to the trail head right before it turns to gravel there was a big tree that blocked the road. It was right before the road met back up (from the loop) so you had to turn around and go all the way back around. I guess a lot of people go to the right (like we did) because there were a lot of people backtracking!

 

 

We got a little turned around with our directions and had to stop and walk around the campground before we figured out which way to go. Between the signs at the trailheads and our book’s direction (which weren’t exactly on the same page as each other) we finally got on track just before 11:00.




Trail starts by crossing over
Taylor River

Trail up to Otter Falls

This trial is pretty straightforward. You follow the trail to Snoqualmie Lake (which we didn’t initially know which caused us to get confused) which goes along…wait for it…Taylor River! Our destination was just to get to Otter Falls, which was more than enough in this downpour!

 




Climbing down to the falls

The trail to Otter Falls, and Lipsy Lake below it, is a little side trail off the main path marked by a couple cairns. You hike up through the trees a few hundred feet or so before emerging at the base of an impressive slab of stone with streams of water trickling down into the lake.

During our trip there were a few people camped out just inside the trees overlooking the falls. They’re in for a wet one! At least they’ll have the place to themselves for the night. Besides that group there were a few other groups of hikers. A couple and their puppy turned around when we got to them short of their destination of Otter Falls because the pup was getting too cold, I wish I could have told them they were so close!!! Not that I knew how close we were at the time.

LOTS of water on the trail, at times we were walking through ponds it seemed. In addition to rain it hailed on our hike, too.  There was snow on the trail also, but at a closer glance it looked like accumulation of hail.

Still without my GPS I am unsure of our final mileage and time, but it took us about 1.5 hours each way on this almost completely flat trail. Glad to get out of the rain, I’m hesitant on camping in it this upcoming weekend! >_<

 

 

 

Rattlesnake Mountain

Rattlesnake Mountain 11/8/13

It would be fun to do a key swap and make it from one end of this mountain to the other. Unfortunately today was going to be another solo day for me. Boy, do I dislike hiking alone. I thought I would enjoy it… the solitude, becoming one with nature…Nope, I get lonely and honestly, I get kind of scared. Oh well, no one can/wants to go on this rainy day so I venture out alone. Turned out to be a great day none the less as always!

I get to the TH by 9:30, only one other car in the parking lot (where you do need a Discover Pass) and one more car showed up soon after I did. The older gentleman that showed up after me mentioned that he hikes Rattlesnake three times a week! You go man!

The trail starts off nicely, almost immediately it crosses a gravel road. In fact, it crosses the gravel road multiple times along this trail but it is easy to follow as the trail continues directly ahead and there are many wooden fences at these intersections. They are quite narrow too, I assume to discourage bikers and horse riders as this is a hiking only trail according to the signage.

As soon as I got to the power lines it starts sprinkling harder so I donned my gaiters and rain cover. I could hear the rain drops hitting the power lines, it made it sound like the rain was coming down much harder! Shortly after here my GPS went berserk! Ok, it happened to slowly fade out as I glanced at it. Thinking it was just the batteries I switched them out. That wasn’t it, all my maps and data had erased and I was currently standing somewhere in the mid-west. Due to that I was unable to keep track of my mileage, time and elevation from there on out.

My plan was to get to Grand Prospect and turn around. I sure didn’t like heading into the wooded areas. With the weather gloomy and fog rolling in, it sure made it dark in there! Knowing only one other person or group was ahead of me I wasn’t sure if and when I’d see anyone else…what if a cougar got me!? I know it’s unlikely, but it happens and the thought stayed with me until I would emerge from the trees. One of the reasons I don’t like to hike alone, I let my imagination get the best of me!

I opted to skip Stan’s Outlook at 2.5 miles and went straight on to Grand Prospect at 4.9 miles. These are the distances I’ve read and assume to be accurate since I have no more GPS. L Coming up near my destination a group of 4 ladies were headed back down, they must belong to the lone car in the parking lot before I showed up. I chatted with them a moment then head up the last stretch to my goal. There were no amazing views of Mt Si or Snoqualmie Valley here, except for on the sign which will point out what you’re looking at (on a clear day). There were a couple tiny breaks where you could see civilization down below, but it was quickly swallowed with the passing clouds.

My view at Grand Prospect

Can't you see Mt Si out there!?

Should-be view at Grand Prospect

After eating some snacks I started my journey back down the way I came. Not even half a mile down a group of 3 gentleman were headed up. They were super kind enough to invite me along the rest of their hike, they were going all the way to Rattlesnake Lake where they had left a car. I weighed my options…I really want to hike the whole mountain, they don’t look like they belong on the Post Office wall of wanted men, I’m not supposed to get in cars with strangers, I don’t want to hike alone…my sense of adventure won.

 

 

Norm, Wes and Jim were amazing company, I completely enjoyed my hike with them. They had some great stories from hiking around the world and there was never a dull moment for the rest of the trip. We stopped again at Grand Prospect before heading up to East Peak, where the amazing views were the same, then continued on our way. It was all downhill from there, but definitely not steep so it was easy on the knees. I was actually surprised how well maintained this trail is, it must get a lot of use. 

View from Upper Ledge





Looking down at the lower ledge

We stopped for lunch at the upper ledge on the east end of the mountain. Still pretty foggy but the clouds spread out and we enjoyed some nice views. It was neat how the clouds were hanging around the ridges across the valley. On the lower ledge below us, where I had hiked to back in July, we could see hikers coming and going before they were hidden behind the clouds and fog. They seemed so far away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm hiking with oldies, they brought prunes! lol KIDDING!

As we got ready to continue our trek the rain picked back up. We had been pretty lucky, the trees mostly protected us from the sprinkles. We stopped in at the other set of ledges for some more views and pictures. It started to clear up once we got to the main ledge…blue skies and a rainbow even!

View from lower ledge

Mt Si

Me and the rainbow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jasmine watching mom blog

It wasn’t until now that we encountered other hikers coming up to the ledges from the lake. Quite a few dogs too. I really hope I can get Jasmine out here next weekend to bring her hiking with me! It’s been so long. There were many blow downs compared to the zero coming up from the west end. Nothing impassable, just have to hop over some downed trees. Look out for Sasquatch hiding in them!

 

It seemed to take no time at all to get down the mountain and before I knew it we were down at the lake ready to hop in the Miata and head out. After a quick stop at Mickey D’s they showed me the way to get back to the west end trailhead as you cannot exit from the freeway on the way back, you have to take the back road…good to know for next time.  

Looking back @ Rattlesnake Mt

Great day, great company. It felt like I had three dads hiking with me so I wasn’t scared of the spooky dark woods anymore. Lol Farewell till next time, hopefully I see you guys again on the trail some more!

Total distance 11 miles. I have no clue how long it exactly took.

For the record: online it says you need a Discover Pass at both trailheads. We did not see any signage at the Rattlesnake Lake TH and only a couple cars parked there actually had a pass visible.

Rattlesnake Lake looking a little dry