Trip Report: Olympic National Park
When: 09/08/2017
Location: Steens Mountains
Conditions:
Mid 50's Friday evening.
Low 60's and all day drizzle Saturday. Views nerfed.
Upper 60's and sunshine Sunday.
Duration: 2 days/2 nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid Friendly: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Usefull links: www.nps.gov
The Full Report:
We departed after work Friday evening and hiked the short distance in from the North Fork trail head to Wolf Bar campground. Wolf Bar is a well maintained back country campground with plenty of soft spots to camp under big trees next to the North Fork Quinalt River. We chose this destination because neither of us had been and we wanted a shorter loop since we were constrained to the weekend.
Unfortunately, the pictures are lacking and the words will be shorter for this trip report because instead of "showers ending at 11am Saturday" it was all day drizzle. After passing Elip Creek campground and a steady ascent to the ridge line we were left to mentally visualize the views through the mist and fog to the North. No mountain views but the huckleberries offered a nice treat while hiking along the trail going squish squish squish with each step.
Three Lakes is another nice campground with several nice spots to choose from. Sunday, we awoke to brilliant sunshine and took our sweet time getting motivated while trying to dry our stuff in the sunshine. On a warmer day the small lakes would be a great way to cool off especially after arriving. The hike out (or in if you do the loop clockwise) is a nature walk through thick forest that is easy to moderate with two steeper sections. The elevation gain of 2,680 feet seems like a lot but comes over 6.9 miles.
If you want a quick adventure to Olympic NP with well-maintained trails and nice campgrounds this is a solid option. I can't promise anything in the way of views since ours were nerfed but I will be back to double check.
The Full Report:
We departed after work Friday evening and hiked the short distance in from the North Fork trail head to Wolf Bar campground. Wolf Bar is a well maintained back country campground with plenty of soft spots to camp under big trees next to the North Fork Quinalt River. We chose this destination because neither of us had been and we wanted a shorter loop since we were constrained to the weekend.
Unfortunately, the pictures are lacking and the words will be shorter for this trip report because instead of "showers ending at 11am Saturday" it was all day drizzle. After passing Elip Creek campground and a steady ascent to the ridge line we were left to mentally visualize the views through the mist and fog to the North. No mountain views but the huckleberries offered a nice treat while hiking along the trail going squish squish squish with each step.
Three Lakes is another nice campground with several nice spots to choose from. Sunday, we awoke to brilliant sunshine and took our sweet time getting motivated while trying to dry our stuff in the sunshine. On a warmer day the small lakes would be a great way to cool off especially after arriving. The hike out (or in if you do the loop clockwise) is a nature walk through thick forest that is easy to moderate with two steeper sections. The elevation gain of 2,680 feet seems like a lot but comes over 6.9 miles.
If you want a quick adventure to Olympic NP with well-maintained trails and nice campgrounds this is a solid option. I can't promise anything in the way of views since ours were nerfed but I will be back to double check.