Staircase Rapids Hike
We’ve lived on the doorstep to one of the most beautiful national parks in the country and have never really explored it. I bought a guidebook, Best Easy Day Hikes in Olympic National Park, and broke it in this weekend.
I decided on the Staircase Rapids hike; it was just right for my state of physical unfitness. The out-and-back trail was two miles (one out and one back) without much elevation gain, a cool, low impact winding trail through the old-growth rainforest along the banks of the Skokomish river. I ended up exploring a bit off trail as well, climbing up and down the river bank a few times to explore the river and get good pictures.
The trail is pretty inviting.
Yep, definitely a rainforest.
First look at the river.
The trail follows the river for a while.
Where is my fishing pole?
Heading up into deeper forest.
Baby tree growing out of an old dead one.
Looking down into the river canyon.
Down at river level near the end of the trail.
I’m pretty fortunate to live in such gorgeous country – I need to do this a lot more often – and maybe even take a fishing rod with me when the opportunity is right.
Posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008 by Jeri
Under: hike, Puget Sound | 5 Comments »