Campfire at Camp Pleasant

Last week (August 4, 2020), I backpacked into Camp Pleasant for a night around the campfire. I love hiking by myself … but when I do, I tend to keep to trails I know well and don’t wander around off my designated route. The equipment you see is what I carried: about 23 lbs (including water … not including the Nikon D-850 around my neck). As I age (now at 72), the weight of the pack has become more important to my being able to continue to enjoy backpacking. Thankfully, technology has substantially reduced equipment weights.

August 15, 2020 0

Sun Dappled Maple Flat

This is one of my favorite sections of the North Fork Skokomish trail of the Olympic National Park. It’s about 6 miles in from the trailhead and has huge Big Leaf Maples and abundant Vine Maple.

August 13, 2020 1

New Trail – Old Trail

I frequently hike the North Fork Skokomish trail in Olympic National Park. My first hikes there were in the ’60’s … and I hiked there often while I lived in Olympia (where it was the closest corner of the park from home). The photo above shows the trail along the first section which used to be roadway. It frequently washed out, so the trailhead was pulled back. Over the years it has been interesting to see the roadbed slowly change into what seems to be a trail. I say ‘seems to be a trail’ intentionally … compare it to the image below of a section of the same trail that was originally created in the 1890’s. This section is 6 miles from the trailhead… and never was roadway.

August 11, 2020 0

Looking Towards Cat Peak and Mt Carrie

This shot was taken along the Cat Basin Way Trail. It is hard to spot the two different peaks, Cat Peak is lower and is sitting directly in front of Mt Carrie. This is a spur trail off the High Divide Trail in the Olympic National Park …. it runs across the ridge to access Cat Basin and the northern access to the Bailey Range backcountry.