It's all in the perspective.
Anderson Ranch is a large river-bottom, flood-plain meadow on the left bank of the Elwha River; it lies immediately upstream of Goblins Gate. More fully, or historically, it was the Billy Anderson Ranch, and that name will sometimes be seen. It is quite near the beginning of the main Elwha River Trail, but is on the opposite side of the river. Continue reading “Anderson Ranch, Elwha River, Olympic Nat’l Park off-trail, river-bottom day-hike“
Rica Canyon Trail is the access to Goblins Gate, the upper entrance of Rica Canyon. It begins at the 3rd intersection up the main Elwha River Trail, about 1.1 miles out of the Whiskey Bend Trailhead.
The first two junctions are for a short side-loop trail called Elk Overlook, which is a nice viewpoint for Anderson Ranch, itself an off-trail day-hike. Continue reading “Rica Canyon Trail, Elwha River, Olympic Nat’l Park 1.5 mi to Elwha River’s Goblins Gate“
Mount Fitzhenry (5,948′) is mostly noted & known (such as it is), as the modest but picturesque peak poised at the head of now-drained Lake Mills, on the Elwha River in the Olympic National Park. The summit is about 6 miles away, by the crow; the base only half of that. It is part of the watersheds of Cat Creek, Long Creek, Fairchild Creek and the Elwha. There are no official trails for it. Continue reading “Mount Fitzhenry, Olympic Nat’l Park Elwha River and northern Bailey Range“
Stephen Peak is a substantial chunk of backcountry terrain in the Olympic Mountains of Olympic National Park, usually treated as an obstacle along the unofficial Bailey Range Traverse; something to get around and continue with a larger plan. It is prominent in the main cluster of mountains on display from the popular Hurricane Ridge Recreation Area.
Hoh River Beach is at the end of Oil City Road, down a short trail, and is the southern entrance to a section of undeveloped Olympic National Park coast strip stretching north to La Push], about 12 miles. The small Hoh Tribe reservation occupies the far (south) side of the river mouth, with a few modest woodframe structures visible beach-side. Continue reading “Hoh River Beach, Ocean Strip, Olympic Nat’l Park the middle stretch of the Park ocean-strip“
Stripped Peak (1,166′) sits off by itself, 7-8 miles from the northern frontrange of the Olympic Mountains (4-5 miles from the Foothills), hard against the Strait of Juan de Fuca coast, 5-6 miles west of the mouth of the Elwha River. It is mostly State DNR timberland, but has gradually taken on more of a recreational character & role. Continue reading “Stripped Peak, Olympic Peninsula outlying, isolated, small Olympic Mtn on the water“
Aurora Creek Trail starts on the bank across from its small paved pullout Aurora Ridge Trailhead, beside US Highway 101 on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, and goes ‘straight’ up the forested side of Aurora Ridge from which the highway is literally carved, up about 3,600′ in 3.4 miles. A very reasonable trail at all times, it tends to its main purpose of gaining altitude in a business-like manner. Continue reading “Aurora Creek Trail, Lake Crescent, Olympic Nat’l Park fast route to the top of Aurora Ridge“