Mount Ellinor

Sunday morning, I woke up before sunrise and walked down to the dock for a beautiful view over Hood Canal.

On the floating part of the dock, a couple sea lions were basking.  I watched them for a short while, but they got into the water before the sun came up.

A short staircase led down to a little beach that was just beautiful.

Once the sun rose, we headed back to the room to pack up and check out.  We headed into town for breakfast at Hoodsport Coffee and then back into Olympic National Forest to the lower trailhead for Mount Ellinor for a steep mountain hike.  The trail started out moderately through a beautiful forest.

In about 1.5 miles, the trail met up with the spur from the upper trailhead and here it got starting getting really steep heading up.  There were a few breaks in the trees for a nice view of Mount Washington.

After splitting with the winter trail, the trail got even steeper and very rocky.

We found a nice outcrop to stop and take a break and enjoy the view of Mount Rainier in the distance.

The Sitka mountain-ash had berries and the leaves were changing.

The last push was very rocky and steep.

Eventually, we crossed into Mount Skokomish Wilderness and made it to the summit.  The views from up here were amazing.  Mount Olympus was visible in the distance.  With Hurricane Ridge Road closed, this would be our only chance to see it.

Lake Cushman was far below.

We climbed onto some rocks that I believe were the very highest point and had lunch up here, enjoying the views.

Mount Rainier was also visible in the opposite direction.

We could also see Mount Washington just to the north.

We talked to a local who helped us identify some distant snowy peaks, including Mount Baker and Glacier Peak.  After enjoying the summit, we made the steep hike back down.

From here, we headed back to US-101 and continued north.  Near Brinnon, we took Dosewallips Road for about 3 miles to a pull off after crossing Rocky Brook.  A short hike on an old road led up to the 200-foot Rocky Brook Falls.

The lighting was poor and the water level was low, but it was still a beautiful waterfall.

I wore water shoes and splashed around in the water a bit.  A little warmer and I might have taken a swim.

After some pictures, we headed back.

We continued north on US-101 to Port Angeles and checked into the Red Lion for a couple nights.  We walked down to Songoku for some good sushi for dinner.  Leaving the restaurant, the sun was setting, so we headed down to the waterfront to watch a beautiful sunset.

The waterfront trail led back to the hotel and we retired for the evening.

Spoon Creek Falls

Saturday, Sandy and I flew to Seattle for a week on the Olympic Peninsula.  After getting our rental car, we stopped for lunch at The Valley in Tacoma and then made a stop near Olympia at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.  After getting our stuff together, we set off on our first short hike.  A paved trail led downstream along Deschutes River.  Upper Tumwater Falls was right after the trail started.

A couple of dams were here, so the waterfall is mostly artificial.

A school of salmon were at the base of the falls, waiting to make the strenuous journey upriver.  A few made unsuccessful attempts to jump the dam, but a fish ladder provided a way up.

Continuing down the trail, Middle Tumwater Falls was just below the bridge on Custer Way.

The lighting was really poor for this one with bright sunlight and the shadow of the bridge.

The trail ended below Tumwater Falls, the third and lowest waterfall in the park.  

I thought this was the most scenic of the three.

The water splits and goes around some huge rocks, but only the stream on river right was visible.  With the bridge over the river closed, we couldn't get a better view.

So we made the short hike back to the car and continued on our way.

Heading into the Olympic Peninsula, we went north from Montesano on Wynoochee Valley Road into Olympic National Forest.  We parked along FR-23 at the trailhead for Spoon Creek Falls.  Spoon Creek Falls Trail (#885) led from the trailhead and immediately, a short spur led to a view of Spoon Creek Falls from above.

This was the only spot to see the upper section of the falls.  The trail continued down a short ways through a lovely Pacific Northwest forest.

A caterpillar of a spotted tussock moth was crawling along a rock.

Where the trail led to the creek, we went upstream a short ways to view the waterfall from the base.

The water level was low and the lighting poor, but it was a really pretty waterfall.  The pool at the base would be inviting if it were a little warmer.

After a few pictures, we returned to the car and headed back.

We drove to Hoodsport and checked into Glen Ayr Resort.  After getting checked in, we walked down to the dock around sunset.

Hood Canal was really beautiful in the evening light.  After a few pictures, we returned and went to bed.