PacNW

2023 Hike 1 - Grass Lake Nature Reserve

Hike 1 - 52 Hikes With Mike

Grass Lake Nature Park - Olympia, WA

This is my first day hike for 2023 and my first hike for the 2023 52 Hikes With Mike challenge. It felt good to get out and even better knowing I have a cute little trail within walking distance of my house. There’s not a lot to say about this trail - it’s short loop, in the neighborhood forest, and it’s pretty flat. It’s great for a variety of people because it’s not complicated or difficult. Today the trail smelled fresh and the ferns were flourishing. I encountered three people and walked about two miles total, including the walk to the trail from my house. The total elevation change throughout was about 110 feet - so very minimal. If you’re in Olympia and want a quick little walk to clear your head, this isn’t too bad. Pets are not allowed on this trail but there are plenty of other places in Olympia to take them. Happy hiking my friends!

#hike22 - Baker Lake Trail (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

On our way to see the scenic bits of the North Cascades, we made a little stop to hike through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This hike was a true treat - offering all the aspects one could wish for in the Pacific Northwest. We had turquoise water, big trees, earthy smells, and spongy ground. My friend Jen (JennyTheTrailhead) and I did about 4 miles.

Highlights: The drive from Washington 20 to the trailhead is insanely beautiful, you get to drive across a dam which feels illegal but is not, and there are magical views at every turn

Things to watch for: Parking may be limited, so follow the rules when you’re there. Slow down, take it in.

Enjoy some photos from our hike north on the trail and back to the car.


#hike23 - Olympic National Park & Forest

I decided to take a walk in the forest and I found pure joy and happiness.

This particular hike included the Quinault Rain Forest trail, a stroll through the Maple Glade Rain Forest trail, and a quick exploration of the Kestner Homestead trail.

Hands down, Quinault is my favorite Rain Forest area of the Olympic Peninsula. Yeah, the Hoh is gorgeous too, and everywhere else is fine, but this is my jam. The walk was magical, and with my good friend Jenny The Trailhead. We soaked in the sunshine through the trees, listened to the streams and falls, and breathed deeply in the loamy smell of the northwest.

Enjoy some photos from a magical day of exploring the Olympic National Park and Forest areas in Washington state.

Mileage: Somewhere near 2-3? I didn’t track this hike

Highlights: Seeing all of the lush greenery, sun through the trees, the fresh air

Watch out for: Busy trailheads at Sol Duc Falls

#hike19 - Little Backyard Adventure - Olympia, WA

HIKE 19

Date: Saturday, August 10, 2019

Location: LBA Park, Olympia, WA

Distance: 3.6 miles

Trails: The LBA loop

Miles from Home: 2,105

Weather: Cloudy, cool, moist

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I signed up for this trail race on a whim, thinking “why not?” back in May. August came pretty quickly and I did not train enough for this race, but I still met my goal of hitting about a 15 minute mile - which is not a big deal for many, but is for me. As the temperatures wind down here in Texas, I’ll run more outdoors. For now, I’m still on a treadmill.

The LBA Park is operated by the City of Olympia, which is a wonderful town south of Seattle filled with amazing city parks, great food, and excellent beer. I arrived in the area on the Friday evening before the race and went to the the REI to meet the organizers and pick up my number. I was issued 101, for which I was pleased, and enjoyed meeting Mathias in person after interacting online for quite some time. If you ever get a chance to interact with the guys from The Outdoor Society, do it! They are both great and put on one hell of a trail race extravaganza.

After the REI visit and packet pickup, I went to the LBA park and walked some of the trails out there. I am not usually one to prepare too much for anything, but I wanted to get a walk in anyway and figured why not explore the trails I’d be running on tomorrow.

The trails are soft, with roots, and lined with plenty of lush foliage. The morning of the race was foggy, misty, and very moist. It had rained overnight but the trails weren’t muddy, but the whole place felt wet and very Pacific Northwest. It was perfect. The smells were fresh and everything just felt right.

I started the race strong, doing a quick (for me) first mile but I started to lose steam. I found a running buddy, who was running her first race, and we kind of stayed together for the second mile or so and it was great. We talked as we alternated between hiking fast and running. I soon felt that I was going too slow and wouldn’t hit my 15 minute mile goal, so I had to run more. I really surprised myself in how long I could run, and how much easier it was in a forest on a natural trail versus the treadmill I was using back home.

I made it up a big hill, interacted with some of the friendliest people, and finished the race well before some people in my group. I was pleased.

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Takeaways

  • Trail runners are a good group of people, despite my preconceived notions of runners in general

  • Trail running is SO much easier than running on a treadmill - at least to me it was (maybe just more enjoyable?)

  • I can do it, I just need to stick to it

Highlights

  • Running in trees

  • Camaraderie among runners

  • Doing something out of my comfort zone completely

  • Running as an enjoyable activity

  • Meeting new people and a person I’ve admired from afar

  • Visiting the PNW

#hike13 - Olympic National Park (the coast)

Date: March 31, 2018

Location: Olympic National Park - Washington

Distance: 9.3

Trails: Ozette Loop

I woke up as the morning became light, decided it was time, and made my way to the Ozette Ranger Station to park and get acquainted with the trail and area.  It was about 7:21 and I wanted to be done before noon, as I had planned to check out of my cabin by then.  Four-plus hours was plenty of time to complete 9 miles, even at a slow pace, but I was off in a hurry.  After about a half mile, I consciously calmed myself down and went a normal pace so I could enjoy all of the lush greenery and skunk cabbage blooms.  The Ozette Triangle, or Ozette Loop, is really two trails and a beach hike.  The two trails to/from the beach go through coastal forests, random clearings, swamps, and crosses creeks.  The paths are either soil in boxes, boardwalks, or dirt.  Elevation gain is minimal, until the end, but here are stairs and a rope for any necessary assistance making it acceptable for all types of hikers.

I remember stopping when I heard the first sign of waves - the ocean was near.  The air changed, my pace changed, I was smiling uncontrollably, and I was finally to the beach.  As I got closer, the beach smelled less fresh and more fishy, but what can you do?  Walking the beach from trail to trail had some obstacles such as large fallen trees, rocks, and tide pools.  I ran into a group of hikers who didn't have a map so we looked at mine and made friendly chatter.  It's nice to run into people with the same idea as you, wandering down the beach in search of the next trail.  I eventually left them in the dust, hike your own hike, but I did enjoy their company for a little while.

This hike was secluded enough and offered the most variety as far as terrain and plants of any over my weekend in the Olympic.  I hope you find your path and happy trails!

#hike12 - Olympic National Park (inland hikes)

Date: March 30, 2018/April 1, 2018

Location: Olympic National Park - Washington

Distance: 8 miles

Trails: Marymere Falls, Mt. Storm King, Sol Duc, Maple Glade, Hall of Mosses

WHAT A HIKE.  Hike 12 encompassed several trails from my weekend away on the Olympic Peninsula in Northwest Washington.  For this, I'm taking all the little hikes I did over two days and counting them as one for record keeping purposes, as many were at just about a mile.  It's amazing - as I look back at previous hikes, they were longer but much less impressive.  A mile on the Olympic can blow your mind.

Marymere Falls: This trail started at the Storm King Ranger Station and goes through a tunnel, under US-101, and follows the river back to a couple of bridges and some stairs to a waterfall viewing area.  The sound of rushing water, the bright green undergrowth, and the moss covered logs all accompany you along the path.  Take your time, take it all in.

Mt. Storm King: This trail branches off of the Marymere Falls path and goes straight up!  I climbed about 17-1800 feet in 1.4 miles, and I didn't make it to the very top due to wind and lack of confidence.  BUT, I did make it up past the marked trail and had excellent views.  If you don't mind heights or just love hills, this is the trail for you.  It begins with sweeping switchbacks and transitions to more straightforward and steep trails.

Sol Duc, Hall of Mosses, and Maple Glade:  These trails are rainforest hikes!  The Quinault Rainforest area houses the Maple Glade and by far my favorite.

Trail to Sol Duc Falls

Tree growing out of a tree - Quinault Rainforest North Shore

Maple Glade - Quinault Rainforest

Mossy limbs in the Hoh Rainforest

Some vegetation contrast - Quinault Rainforest

The time spent in these areas was magical.  I have never felt so grounded and free-spirited all at once.  If you get a chance to hike in the Pacific Northwest, DO IT!  Sending everyone happy trails ahead.

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