Tolmie State Park

This morning's Yoh! hike was at Tolmie State Park.  December is a busy month for everyone, so we decided to do a shorter, close-in hike.  This is actually a very nice park.  I haven't been here in years and didn't really remember much about it.  The trails were a bit muddy, but in good shape.   The boardwalks, however, were slimy & slippery.  Luckily Michele was there to grab me when I slipped & almost fell off the side.   Even with my walking stick I manage to be clumsy.

 After the hike we headed down to the beach.  We saw a sea lion jumping out of the water by a boat.  I think they might have been feeding it fish, but it was hard to tell because they were so far out & the fog was quite thick.  It looks like dogs are allowed here because we saw several.  I'll have to take Winston here next summer.   He will have lots of fun exploring the beach.



Group photo using the camera timer: Sara, Michele, Clarissa and Susan.

On the trail.



Susan, Clarissa & Sara on the bridge to the beach.

Michele, Susan & Clarissa

Twanoh State Park

We woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground, but that didn't stop us from heading to our Yoh! hike at Twanoh State Park.  By the time we reached our destination not one flake of snow could be seen.  The snow around here doesn't stick around too long.  Although it was really cold, the sun came out to greet us.  The walk was short, just 2.3 miles round trip, but it was awesome.  We walked along a salmon-spawning creek which had tons of salmon.  We spent a lot of time just watching them swim upstream.  It was so cool!

Corey & Winston in the car waiting for others to meet us in West Olympia.

The snow covered Olympics as we were driving to Twanoh State Park.

Brenda & Pace

Kassia & Winston





Group photo: Susan, Brenda w/Pace, Winston, Corey & Kassia

The trees were amazing, so tall, and the trunks were huge.

View from parking area.   This is part of Hood Canal.

Staircase Rapids Hike

Today Pam & I hiked at Staircase Rapids.  It's about 7 miles further than Big Creek where we had our first Yoh! adventure.  A weather alert was posted, but we decided to risk the storm that came down from Alaska.  Boy did we get soaked.   The only thing that stayed dry were my feet...can I just say that my Vasque hiking shoes are AWESOME!?!  Anyway, we still had a great time.  I just love the sound of rushing water and the river was really beautiful.  We hiked about 3 miles in all. 

View of the North Fork of the Skokomish River taken from the bridge at the beginning of the trail.

Pam on the bridge.

Me & Pam using the timer on the camera.

I'm bummed this didn't come out more clear.  The camera lens kept fogging over.  That big rock overhang was so cool.

This little area is Beaver Flats.  This would be an awesome place to come in the summer & just dip your feet.  Unfortunately we didn't see any beavers.

I loved the fog in the background & the yellow leaves.

1st Yoh! Hike @ Big Creek

Our first Yoh! hike was a success!  The five of us (Sara, Brenda, Clarissa, Pam & I) met up this morning at 8am in Olympia and drove out to the Big Creek Trail about 9 miles west of Hoodsport.  The rain was pouring all night & this morning as I drove to Olympia.  I was expecting & had dressed for a monsoon, but luck prevailed.  As soon as we reached Hoodsport the sun came out to greet us and followed us all the way to the trail.  We didn't get rained on once during our approx 3.5 hour hike. 

The trail was very well maintained.  We crossed so many bridges & water falls that we lost count.  The fall foliage was out in force and the area was just beautiful.  The trail is rated as easy to moderate, but that appeared more based on the condition of the trail than the actual hike.  Because after about the first mile all we did was go up, and up, and up.  At one point I seriously didn't think I'd make it to the top.  But I'm happy to report that we all prevailed.  What a wonderful way to spend our Saturday morning!  Thanks everyone for coming & making this first Yoh! hike so much fun! 

The next hike is tentatively set for Saturday, November 19th so mark your calendars!




Here we are all fresh & excited at the start and the sun is shining!  I think Sara must have seen a squirrel!

 







The first of many bridges along the trail.

 




We took a little break.  This was taken during that really long uphill climb.  You can see my face is so red. 

 




Bridge over Branch Creek.

 




There is Pam to the right.

 




This is the bridge over Big Creek.

 




I loved the beautiful yellow leaves in the background.