Olympic Peninsula Tour (Part 2)

Falls View Campground

 

After disembarking from the Seattle-Bremerton Ferry we drove across the Hood Canal bridge, catching hwy 101 about fifteen miles north of where we wanted to camp.  The campground at the end of the south-bound back tracking was well worth the miles.

 

Falls View Campground is excellent.  It is a forest service campground so it has fire rings, tables and vault toilets.  No hook-ups of course, but it is heavily forested and lives up to its name regarding the view.  The little loop trail from the back of the campground overlooks a pretty waterfall, but the amazing spot is down the half mile steep, steep descent to the river.  I’ve seen many pretty river/waterfall/streams with ferns spots in my day, but this one is in the top five for sure! 

 

The only bummer is that steep climb back up.  Of course I forgot my camera when we hiked down and we were itching to get back on the road the next morning so we didn’t make another trip down the trail.  Sorry about the lack of pictures, but if you ever find yourself just south of the Hood Canal bridge on hwy 101, be sure to spend at least one night at Falls View Campground.  Oh, and bring the bug spray!

Mushroom Madness

Mushroom Madness

Entiat Falls actually looks like a waterfall early in the season! 
Who knew?

This week’s trip to the Entiat River marks our second trip to the mountains and third trip out this season.  We braved the road all the way to the end and stayed at Cottonwood Campground.  It was beautiful as always.  The river is still running like mad, so the kids had to stay in the little inlets near our campsite. 

North Fork trail cross-roads we passed on our
way to the mushroom covered hillside

 The highlight of this campout was the mushroom picking. 

 

We discovered a hillside where a small burn had occurred last summer, so the morel mushrooms where thick.  The sight of thick stands of wild mushrooms is not something that you see very often.

 The hike into the mushroom sight was very pleasant.  We drove to a trailhead and then hiked about a mile and half over several creek crossings and through some beautiful country.

 We are looking forward to at least one more trip to these mountains this year, but first we have many miles to cover all across Washington state.  

 

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I Spy!  Can you see them?

 

Lunch behind the waterfall

Lunch behind the waterfall

 

May 19, 2013

Today the kiddos and I packed a lunch and headed to the top of the waterfall trail.  After stopping and reading the map at the ranger cabin we realized it was only a .75 mile hike.  Sounds easy, right? 

 

Behind Silver Falls, Entiat Washington

Well, here’s the catch; it’s a 600+ foot elevation gain in that three quarter mile.  Lots and lots of stairs!  The trail actually forks off and you can take the switchback type trail or the one with all the steps.  The step side stays alongside the water and is, in our opinion, much prettier.   Either way, the hike is not too bad.  It’s a lot like going to the gym and getting on the step machine for 30 minutes of uphill.

 

Along the way we identified several types of conifer trees, saw multiple chipmunks and admired an abundance of early wild flowers.  When we reached the top we climbed over the fence (do they really think a two rail fence will deter people?) and stood behind the waterfall.  Very cool!  (literally). 

 

Our picnic was devoured as we sat on a rock ledge that ran sort of behind and beside the waterfall.  (Still on the naughty side of the fence, of course) Isn’t it amazing how good a simple bagel sandwich tastes in a new setting?!

 

On the way back down the trail we were continually amazed at the sheer volume of water coming down the mountain.  It is especially awe-inspiring as you cross the bridges.  What a great way to spend an afternoon.  No boring recess for us!