Managed to kill some time by hiking about in Olympic National Park. I wanted to see what I could handle with my CamelBak so I loaded it up ass much as possable and just went. I'm so glad I did. I got a shit ton of sweet pix. My hike lasted two days and two nights. It started out as a real steep ascent that took me into alpine forests and meadows. Eventually I was walking along a ridge that sloped away sharply on either side. This offered stunning veiws of the mountains on both sides of me.
Further along I came to Happy Lake which appeared stagnant and scummy. I was a little disappointed. That night I camped on Boulder Lake. It too was kinda gross and there was a group of teenagers who were being loud and obnoxious which made the experience less pleasant. A small family of deer wandered through my camp, nibbling on the undergrowth. They seemed completely unconcerned with my presence. I was preparing dinner the whole time, making plenty of noise but they didn't seem bothered at all. Strange.
The next day I began the descent which wrecked havoc on my poor knees, particularly my left which has been bothering me so. It was sweet though as alpine forestss gave way to lush jungle. Ferns began to crop up and moss gathered everywhere, so green and wet. I came across several creeks spilling down the mountain towards the sea.
At one point I came across a sign post marking a ssplit in the path where my map showed none. It only indicated two paths, the one I had come down and another labled Barnes Creek Trail which I persumed was my destination. The third path appeared unmarked. Later I found that I was completely wrong, that this one was marked and obviously the correct path, but in a way I was glad. Sometimes getting lost is the best.
The Barnes Creek Trail began to ascend again which I found ssusspect. It headed off to the east which was suspect as well. But it crossed over wild creeks spilling down the mountain, tumbling over sculpted rocks and spraying the dense coverage of moss. This is what egged me on, beyond all logic. I knew I was going the wrong way, perhaps getting lost, but it was too beautiful to retreat. I found areas where trees had fallen, spanning the gully carved by the ancient creek. This made for good adventure climbing over and photographing the watery terrain below.
It was getting late. I knew I was lost. I decided to turn back. My knees were terribly sore at this point and my flat feet were beginning to feel the burn. At the second creek crossing I decided I shouldn't walk any further and made my camp. Luckily I had just enough food to squeeze out another night. This place was lovely, secluded. I hadn't come across another soul all day. No obnoxious teens to contend with tonight. Just me, the river and the stars. I cooked beans for the second night in a row and slipped down into my sleeping bag. Good night.
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