Category: Trail

Summer Hike

The Climb Out of 7 Lakes Basin

This was taken a few years ago when I was more able to wander around the high country. We were on our way up to the High Divide and then down to Hoh Lake and back. (Note that the pack doesn’t have a sleeping bag or other items strapped to it … a sure give away that this is a day hike.) We were camped down in the basin (which requires a hard to secure reservation for camping) and were enjoying the scenic highcountry without having a heavy pack. The 7 Lakes Basin is a frequent camp location to those hiking the High Divide loop trail, which provides some of the most stunning views of Mt Olympus and the central Olympics.

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Avalance Lilies

Avalance Lilies

I was up on Dodger Point in the Olympic National Park in June when all the Avalance Lilies were in bloom. It was amazing. I’m not concerned about having a lot of other folks heading up there and having the meadow distroyed by wildflower fans. Currently it’s a 18 mile hike to get to this location, and 10 miles of that is a continuous uphill … not really steep, but just continual up.

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Hart’s Pass and a part of the Cascade Crest Trail

A section of the Cascade Crest Trail near Hart’s Pass

The area near Hart’s Pass has always been a favorite of mine. You can drive all the way up to subalpine meadows. (once the road is open … and what a road … not for those nervous about heights)

Unfortunately, a big section of what used to be the campground that I favored most burned several years ago. It’s still nice, but it has lost some of what made it special.

Hart’s Pass: area that burned.

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The Dosewallips

The Dosewallips River

The Dosewallips River is one of the major rivers draining the east side of the Olympic Peninsula. The photo above was taken from the old car campground that is now backpack in only, since the road washed out over 20 years ago. (it’s about 6.5 miles – about 10.5 km) It is in the Olympic National Park, but the access road is in the Olympic National Forest. So, who’s responsible for fixing the road? Let’s argue about it for another decade or so…

Below shows the trail not far outside of the campground. It’s beautiful country and it’s too bad that it is so much harder for seniors to access these days.

Dosewallips Trail
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Upstream and Downstream

Upstream

These photos were taken from the Graves Creek Bridge on the East Fork Quinault trail in the Olympic National Park. I thought the difference between the two was interesting … you just wouldn’t likely think the photos were taken the same spot. The difference between the two ‘sides’ is purely a result change in gradient … there isn’t any dam or blockage below this point on the creek.

Downstream

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