MARCH 19, 2012

ELBO CREEK TRAIL (toward Buck Mountain)

By John D

The snow continued to get deeper as we hiked on

It was a nice morning, cool with no precipitation. Six of us were about to depart in Jim’s minivan when Bob arrived. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the van would
accommodate seven with all the winter gear including snowshoes. It worked. After the usual stop at the Quilcene Ranger Station we arrived at the trailhead a little before 9:00 AM.

The trailhead is a short distance up Rocky Brook Road (identified as Buckmountain Road on my Garmin map) just beyond the Mount Walker road. According to Jack’s precision thermometer it was 29.7º F.

(more…)

3/12/2012

Notes by, Photos by Gunda and Jim

Hi Monday Hikers and friends,

The Bear Cave…Oooh scary!

It was a dark and dreary morning, with promise of continuing showers all day, as four lost souls gathered for our Monday hike. We vowed to keep tradition alive and hike somewhere, maybe Mt. Walker again. I have to admit that I was only there because I was feeling guilty about not hiking the week before.

Immediately after crossing the Hood Canal Bridge, the weather turned from rain to wet, accumulating snow. We drove a bit further and then turned around as the snow and slush got serious. We headed for the safety of Kitsap County and the nearest trailhead: Port Gamble.

(more…)

Mt. Walker

March 5, 2012

By Gunda M

Goats' Notes Mt. Walker Hike photos

Well, it was one of those Washingtonian days … raining, foggy, ugly!! No wonder, only 6 of the most hardy M.Gs. assembled at the appropriate time at the car pool. The plan was Gold Creek, but all agreed that with ‘solid green’ over the Olympic Peninsula as per Ch 101’s weathermap, we would be better off doing Mt. Walker.

So we piled into 2 cars, and …. the sky cleared!! At the exit ramp off Rt. 101 to Quilcene we altered our plan and headed, after all, to the Gold Creek trail head! As we neared Sequim, the weather god changed her mind and line 1 (see above) repeated itself: is was raining, foggy, ugly!!

(more…)

Hurricane Ridge

2/27/12

Assembled by Jim T

Frank and Jim breaking trail on top of the ridge

After missing Hurricane Ridge last week due to the closure of the access road, 11 Goats assembled in Poulsbo at the appointed time for another try, and arrived at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center about 9:20 am, only to find the gate to Hurricane Ridge would not open till 10. Then, arriving at 9:55 at the gate, we found it to be scheduled to open at 11 due to need for more road sanding.

We hurried down to Port Angeles for coffee and bagels, only to find it had opened at 10:25. So, on the trail at about 11:15 for a very late start. Nontheless, the day was spectacular, with all options open for snowshoes.

(more…)

February 20, 2012

Written by Jim R, Photos by Ed, Jack, Jim R

The new bridge that has begun to take shape

This Presidents Holiday Monday was, “by tradition”, slated to be a snowshoe hike at Hurricane Ridge. The weekend weather cooperated fully, providing much snow. In fact, there was so much snow that the road to the Ridge was closed both Saturday and Sunday. Per the Ridge website, there was a slab avalanche on Sunday. Fearing the conditions, and the thought that the road would not be open (later it was confirmed the road did not open that day) several conversations swirled around the parking lot. Where should we go? Will we need snowshoes?

(more…)