Dry Creek

Near the start of the forest


Parked at the trail head


Old growth sub-alpine hemlock

I was able to drive all the way to the South trailhead today.

A short hike today. This is a 14 mile hike when the gate is shut. I cut back on my miles now that I am back in class. My ankle gave me trouble again today. I should go do the physical therapy I have been prescribed but I don't have the time for it. I have a nasty cold too, so it was good for me to take it easy this week.

4 miles RT
1,000 feet elevation gain

Dry Creek From the South

The wild life gates are open so this was a much shorter hike today. I could not reach the trail head in my Jeep due to a large boulder sitting in the middle of a steep water bar.

There were a few places where snow shoes would have been nice to have, but over all I am glad that I did not bring them. The weather was strange. Alternating snow and sun shine with hurricane force winds on the ridge. It was fun to watch the snow blow off a nearby ridge and turn into clouds.

On my drive in I saw a rainbow that spanned the entire Skokomish Valley from North to South, it was very pretty.

Brush pickers are taking full advantage of the gate opening, they have moved right up the road in their vans. I've been told that there was a brush shortage, I bet the pickers are glad to have their range expanded with the gates open.

I did not bring my camera today.

6.29 miles RT
2,100 feet elevation gain

I did a lot of post holing so it felt much longer.

A track log from before the gate opening.