Lower Big Quilcene Trail

We do a lot of hiking in the Olympic National Forest but had never ventured up as far as the Lower Big Quilcene Trail. It was 2 hours from home to the trailhead.

The trail is another very pretty trail in the Olympics. There is nothing like a walk through an old growth forest to reset your life-o-meter. Since there wasn't much elevation gain in the hike - 1986 feet total - we took it at a quick pace. We didn't have a set goal which is fine because the trail is an out and back.

We made Camp Jolley in less than  1.5 hours and decided to make for Ten Mile Shelter - 6.5 miles out - before turning back. We arrived at Ten Mile in 2 hours and headed back down. It was beginning to rain so we kept the pace up and even jogged a little which is interesting with a 25 lb daypack on, but we stayed ahead of most of the rain.

We even had time to stop and talk to some Volksmarchers who were on their way up the trail. We arrived back at the car in 4 hours total and logged 13.05 miles and 1986 feet of elevation.

This trail meets up with the Big Quilcene Trail at Ten Mile Shelter and heads up to Marmot Pass and beyond. Next time we might take the upper trailhead and hike Marmot Pass. There are tons of backpacking possibilities in this section as well.

Be very well and more soon....

Snow Mountain Ranch - Cowiche Canyon Loop

We had a rare Friday free on what was predicted to be a rainy day west of the Cascades so we headed east to Snow Mountain Ranch and hiked the Cowiche Canyon Loop. We had planned on the 9.2 mile loop, but we ended up following the 6 mile one by accident.

We headed out at about 9 AM and took the trail clockwise. The first mile lulls you to sleep with almost no elevation gain, but just when you get comfortable the next 2 miles provide you with all the elevation gain the loop has to offer - 1200 feet or so.

It is made a little more difficult by a strong persistent wind that blew through the area. We kept our lightweight outer shells on the entire time because of the breeze.  After we ascended to the radio tower we turned right and headed back down with the wind in our faces until we were low enough down from the ridge.

The entire loop took less than 2 hours to complete with 25 lb. packs. There were wildflowers in bloom and lots of fresh sage to scent the trail. We headed out to Prosser for a little wine tasting before heading home for another hike Saturday.

Be very well and more soon.....

Packwood Lake - Tree Challenge

We decided to test out our lightweight backpacking gear with a manageable trip to Packwood Lake. At 4.5 miles in to the lake it seemed like a perfect test area. We brought Athena along and hit the trail at 9 AM Saturday.

It wasn't long before we began encountering blown down trees. There were more we had to go over than under and Athena was opting under mostly so there was a lot of hooking and unhooking her at each log. We didn't bother counting as we headed out, but there were a lot of trees on the trail.

We also found about a mile of persistent snow at about 3 miles in that continued until the final drop in to the lake. We arrived at the lake before 11 AM and scouted around for a sunny camp site. The best one was taken by a couple of young guys so we went further around. The side we headed up was right in the wind which was blowing down across snow on the other side of the lake making it very cold.

We headed back to the other end and saw the young guys packing up so we landed there. We quickly set up the tent and blew up our new sleeping pads and tossed in the sleeping bags. Then we filtered some water and had a snack.

As long as we were in the sun it was very nice. We had taken over the fire the young guys had started and built it up nicely. The sun was high and remained on us until it began sneaking behind the trees at about 2:30. Man did it get cold fast then. We decided to test our last piece of equipment and cook up the angel hair pasta and add some chili I made and dehydrated. We were eating within 10 minutes of lighting the stove and cleaned up quickly as well.

We packed camp up and headed back down the trail. This time we decided to count the downed trees and by the time we made it back to the car we counted 47 trees on the trail that varied from a step over to one that required going off trail on a steep little downhill and using a small tree to get around.

We were de-packed and driving down the hill before 5 PM. With our exploring up the side of the lake we managed just over 10 miles total with full camping gear so we were happy with the trip.

Be very well and more soon.....

An Extended Break At Copper Creek Cabin

Last Friday we headed up to Copper Creek Cabin in the MTTA (skimtta.com) system for a couple of nights of fun. We had a couple of last minute drop-outs, but still a total of 13 at the cabin.

Pam, Heidi and I were the early and late crew. We arrived at MTTA's office at 9:15 so Pam could be photographed with some matching donation checks from Russell or volunteer hours and cash donations. We were surprised that she wanted to head to the cabin with us and intrigues when she explained a shorter trip via the 45 road.

The benefit was a reduction of  2 miles and 400 feet of elevation with out heavy packs so we were in. We
blasted up the hill in  a mix of rain and then some snow and emptied our packs of weekend food and drink supplies and headed back to the car for a drive to the snopark to catch the other group and take some weight from them.

We made the trailhead at 1:06 and were walking on bare ground for more than a mile. We were about 2 miles in before we put on our snowshoes. There was tracks ahead so we kept a quick pace figuring that with heavy packs we would overcome the big group along the way. After the junction with the 45 road there was fresh grooming so it was easier to see how far ahead the last of the group were.

We didn't seem to be picking up much time on them, but we plugged along. I finally caught up to Renee and Briana right at the top of the hill at the cabin, but only because they stopped for a picture. Pam and I made the 4.3 mile distance in 1:45 which is a personal best and were surprised to see Judy still hanging around.

Judy pointed out a couple of small projects we could do if we had the time to make the Ski Patrol quarters more comfortable. We got out of our wet stuff and began snacking. There might have been a little drinking going on as well. I started our dinner a little later when words were beginning to be slurred.

After dinner we had a good, loud round of Cards Against Humanity which lives up to its name and is well worth the carry weight to bring along. The game continued until we were seriously losing focus and some of the participants to bed.

The next morning I was up making coffee in 3 different vessels which works great for bringing the group back to lucidity. 6 or 7 pots of coffee and a HUGE batch of pancakes from Mary and Brenda along with some duck eggs from Tami's duck(s) and we were fed and ready for some fun.

We started with a group of 9 to head towards Puyallup Ridge Lookout. We didn't expect to make the distance - 12 miles round trip - but we did want to get some time on the untouched snow. We took turns breaking trail for a little under a mile before we had 3 turn around leaving 6 of us to see what we could do.

As we stomped along the snow was deeper and deeper. We would lead for 100 steps or so and the drop to the back and cycle back through. With 6 people it goes along pretty well. The last 2 spots in line are basically a free ride and then you pack a little more as you move to the front.

We were determined to get at least 2 miles out and it didn't surprise me even a little bit that the last part of that would be deep snow on the steepest grade we had been on yet. Mary muscled up said hill and then gave way to me for the final 50 or 60 steps to get our mileage in.

We headed back in our well packed rut making the return trip fast and easy. Along the way we ran into Dave on the Snocat groomer so we got an even easier walk for a while. As we neared the junction for Cal's trail which leads back to the cabin when we encountered Renee and Briana making a snowman in a clearing.

Back at the cabin the snacking and lunching continued. After a while dinner cooking began while Pam took a smaller group around for a quick snowshoe which included another snowperson that we would find in the morning on our way out.

After dinner we settled into a game of Tell Me Something Good which I refuse to describe except to say that a good time was had by all and what happens at Copper Creek Cabin stays at Copper Creek Cabin.

Morning was a little later Sunday but even more coffee was necessary after 2 days of fun. We ate the leftover pancakes and most of the bagels that Renee and Briana brought up. Along the way we began packing and cleaning. At some point the weather cleared but not until it gave us some perfect light for shooting pictures. Then Mt. Rainier poked her head out for a picture before socking back in with clouds.

There was trail breaking almost all the way down and now there was snow to snowshoe in almost all the way to the snopark. We arrived to find a little snow on our cars, but no need to dig out as Pam, Garry and I had to do a year before.

These trips can be like herding cats getting them planned and organized, but they always end up being an absolute blast. It doesn't seem to matter who the moving parts are the mix always works. That is our last planned overnight trip this year to the MTTA cabins, but maybe we can sneak something else in somewhere before it's too late.

The cabinets were moved thanks to Gary's help and it was a major space improvement in the Ski Patrol area which will lead to something cool I'm sure.

Be very well and more soon....