Upcoming Hike

The first Yoh! hike has been scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd at Big Creek.  This is a 4.5 mile hike with an elevation gain of approximately 900 feet. 

The Washington Trails Association description is:

In the shadows of Mount Ellinor, enjoy this circuitous route around the Big Creek drainage. There are plenty of pretty resting and contemplation spots along the way. Plenty of cascades too, along Big Creek and the smaller creeks feeding into it.

Save this hike for a hot summer day when shaded glens offer respite from the midday rays. Forested all the way, and always within earshot of tumbling water, the Big Creek Trail makes a fine rainy-day hike too. Constructed entirely by volunteers, this relatively new addition to the Olympic National Forest trail inventory is sure to gain in popularity.

Utilizing many old roads, the crew put together an interesting loop guaranteed to make you walk away with a better appreciation of the beauty of cascading waters. Start your journey by walking west through the picnic area and to the Big Creek Nature Trail. This trail circles the campground for a 1-mile loop. But you've got bigger plans, so cross Big Creek on a good bridge and come to a junction. Turn left on Trail No. 827.1 and start the big loop.

Clockwise is the preferred direction for an easier-on-the-knees descent. On a well-built and well-shaded trail begin ascending above the creek. Mileposts and resting benches grace the way. After 1 mile the grade gets steeper. Mount Washington hovering above can occasionally be seen through gaps in the forest canopy. At 1.7 miles you'll come to a junction. You can continue straight on the loop, or take an interesting side trip dropping to the confluence of Big and Branch Creeks. Here you'll find good lunch rocks among the two tumbling waterways.

Continuing on the main loop, soon come to a junction with the Mount Ellinor Trail. This is the long and challenging way to the popular peak. Next comes a scenic crossing of Branch Creek on a good bridge. A few steps ahead and another good bridge is encountered, this one spanning Big Creek above a gorgeous cascade. The loop now begins descending, skirting some big boulders and granting good views of roaring Big Creek.

Directions:
From Shelton travel north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left (west) onto State Route 119, proceeding 9.3 miles to a T intersection with Forest Road 24. Make a sharp left and immediately turn right into the Big Creek Campground. The trailhead is located near the picnic shelter.

We will meet in Olympia in front of the former Old Navy store to arrange carpooling. The Northwest Forest Pass is required, so please bring it if you have one.  Time to be determined.  Hope you all can make it!