Lake of the Angels: Olympic National Park (Putvin Trail)

Looking NE from Lake of the Angels

In bed I leaned over my left  shoulder to glance at my phone. Crap, its 10am already. I slept in. Its Friday and i have the day off.  Jumping out of bed sunbeams are streaming into my room! It's not raining!!!! Score!!

Quickly my backpack is packed with gear and extra clothing. The civic peels off of the gravel sidewalk and quickly I'm navigating towards the Olympic National Park!
I wanted to try my chances hiking the Lake of the Angels trail, otherwise know as the "Putvin Trail"! I had hiked the trail last September (2014) on a rainy and windy day where low clouds blocked all views that surrounded the lake. But today was clear, cold but clear with barely a cloud in  the sky.

 



Mt Rainier from Hamma Hamma River Valley, el. 3,,500 ft

 

No car was parked in the trail parking lot! Score! Solitude, even though the mountains seem to keep me from being lonely!!
With my running shoes on i cruised up the trail with my boots in my pack expecting snow in the alpine.

Northface of Mt Jefferson

 

Soon running came to a halt and hiking became the norm.

Just above 3,500 feet, the no fire zone, the alpine became visible. An alder meadow presented itself as a creek swiftly flew the meadow. Above the meadow elevation quickly ran straight up allowing waterfalls to fall. One such waterfall was half ice. 

Next the steepest climb began! At a couple points the hike turns into rock climbing where at one point climbing rope has been tied to a tree trunk to pull oneself up. Soon after this, alpine is near and views looking across the hamma hamma river reveal the craggy cliffy ridge of Mt. Jefferson.

 



Jefferson Ridge



 

The trail continued but this time with snow. I decided to not take a break and trudge through with my Adidas running shoes. Deeper and deep it became with about a foot deep at its deepest.The lake was frozen over with exception to the mouth where a fast creek was bubbling.



Lake of the Angels



 

I made it to the lake after sunset which was very disappointing! At least the sky was blue, snow pristine, and the views were capturing!! Worth it the effort!

After switching to the boots and eating some carrots and hummus for a snack the trail was underfoot again.

Darkness came half way down the trail and soon the comfort of the car encompassed me. If only i could do it all over again tomorrow!

 



Frozen pond



 

 



Sunset



 

 

 

Grand Valley

Looking Southwest at Mt Olympus

Three weeks ago I became enamored with the majestic Grand Valley as I hiked through the area on my 42 mile trek. You can see my 4 posts for the whole backpacking throwdown, called 42 Miles 4 Passes in 4 Days.
Grand Valley is the perfect backpacking hangout trip. You will see why... read on! My best amigo and I ventured out to see what Grand Valley could offer us and we definitely came back with our noggins full of good memories!!
Thursday was a full day of work for me but 2pm finally rolled around. It seems that work days take longer when your leaving for a trip that same day.
I met my buddy in Shelton and off we drove arriving in Port Angeles about 6pm. After a stop by the Ranger station to pick up our wilderness permits we headed up to Hurricane Ridge.
Hurricane Ridge holds the visitor center with marvelous views of the Northern Olympics.

Looking south at Grand Pass area

The forest road to the trailhead starts at the beginning of Hurricane Ridge's parking lot. After winding up and down the forest road the trailhead appeared. It sits just below Obstruction Peak at about 6,000 . It was 7 pm and the sun almost had it's arms around the western Olympic mountains as i pulled the e-brake. I had hiked in the dark a couple times before but never as the sun set at 6,000 feet. Simply amazing!!! We started to hike and two girls followed suit with the same idea, or with the same issue of being late.

Views like these are mesmerizing

The first part of the hike treks along a ridge. After about  1 1/2 miles the trail starts to drop into Grand Valley. The sun was hiding behind the mountains at this point. Darkness was pressing in but we combated it with our trusty headlamps. Never ever forget headlamps. I've used my headlamp countless times unexpectedly as hiking never goes exactly as planned. We trudged on doing our best to stay ahead of the girls behind us!!! They weren't gonna pass us!!!!!!!!!!!!



Switchbacks guided us down off the ridge into the lake valley. The trail straightens for awhile as it became treed for the first time. Soon we came to a "y" and took a left up to Moose lake. We wandered around trying to find a nice campsite in the dark. We first came across a group site but decided to wait on it and find a single site. We looked and looked and came across a trail with a sign at the start. We hiked up to the trail and smelled something nasty. The trail came to a clearing in the trees and suddenly laying in front of us was the outhouse!!
We ended up setting up camp back at the group site. Dinner was tacos with pre-made taco meat. Delicous!!

Moose Lake Brook Trout

Morning woke us up as sunlight descended on our eyes. Breakfast was cranberry pancakes, my favorite. The deer smelled the salty bacon we cooked. Two families of deer circled around us finding our piss hole. They devoured everything growing in and around our hole. After breakfast we grabbed out trusty fishing poles and plopped them in Moose Lake. Instantly we had bites and the fish were flying everywhere. Rooster tails, wedding rings and spinners were all loved by the fish. I even threw out a fly on the end of my spin casting pole just to see what would happen. Instantly the brook trout darted up from the bottom, coming within inches of the fly then veering off.

Small but beautiful

The bite slowed, and we packed up camp and headed to Grand Lake, the bigger of the three lakes. Our backpacks plopped down as well as the lures sank into the lake. The action was less than Moose Lake but the fish were larger. All in all we caught 36 brook trout in 5 hours of fishing. Not bad huh!!!! All fish were released and we're hoping they will mature for next times casting.

Its what's for lunch!!

Between Moose and Grand lakes there's a river that flows from one lake to another. We decided to explore the river after hearing what sounded like a waterfall and knowing the elevation drop the trail held. As we waded into the thick brush we heard some movement coming from the brush 20 feet in front of us. We paused, listened and decided the brush was too thick for our fishing poles that we held in our hands. As we pulled out of the brush the commotion continued. We paused again as a young adult black bear meandered out from the brush 50 feet away from us. We stood and watched trying to take pics as he wandered behind a group of firs. No luck....no pic, but it's always exciting to see a bear so close!!! We headed back up the trail to Moose Lake warning other hikers to be aware of the bear!! It didn't feel right just letting other hikers find out on their own.

Guess who saw each other first?!!

After warning the others, we headed down to Grand Lake. We throw in our lures at the far western part of the lake where the a stream flows in. A deep pool existed on this side. A couple sat across the lake watching us as a young family with kids hiked in behind us. The father of the young family started asking me questions about how the fishing was going. Suddenly my pole bent and i jerked back reeling. All eyes were on me and i produced a nice brook trout. Its belly bright red with amazing purple and pink silver spots. The trout was the largest we caught about 10 to 11 inches. As i was holding up my prize fish for the young couple's kids to see and touch, i quickly realized this trout had sharp teeth. Letting go for one second i lost him and splash into the water he went. Embarrassed i finished talking with the couple but with no more bites after that.
Down to Badger creek we hiked. Before we reached the creek we came across a 10 foot waterfall on Grand Creek. Feeling like i needed a bath i jumped off the waterfall into the pool below. The pool ended up being only 4 feet deep, surprise! Still worth it though, as i cooled off.
Next we crossed badger creek and like its a perfect spot for a bear to hang out. No bears but headed up Badger Valley. The upper valley was pristine. Every time i hike through this valley i seems there's bear watching me. Yeah i know that weird but it seems  one stubborn marmot chirped nonstop! Leadership definitely requires boldness and persistence and I'm always amazed how marmot are a good example of this!!!
Our hike was coming to a close as Obstruction Peak appeared ahead of us. After completely the final switchbacks around the corner the parking lot jumped out at us. No matter how long the trail is the parking lot always brings joyous pleasure that home is close and the trail has been conquered. But soon again the following day the trailhead is never close enough until the e-brake is pulled again!

Badger Valley

 

Mount Olympus

Moose Lake

The View From The Trailhead

Sunset Hiking Is The Best

2013: Trail Wish list!!

The world didn't come to an end in 2012 much to everyones surprise (sarcasm)!! I'm still alive and well (no sarcasm)!!! 2012 was amazing as I accomplished two of my hiking goals and crossed off trails from my "to do" list.
I accomplished my goal of hiking over 30 miles in one backpacking trip by Hiking 42 miles!! I also went for my first snowshoe hike and will be buying snowshoes soon!!
Trails I knocked off my 2012 list:
Mt Rose trail, ONP
Grand Valley trail, ONP
Badger Valley trail, ONP
Gray Wolf trail, ONP
Part of Dosewallips trail, ONP
Putvin trail (Lake of the Angels), ONP
Three Forks trail, ONP
Part of Cameron Creek trail, ONP
Lost Pass trail to Cameron Pass trail, ONP
Elk Mountain trail, ONP
Part of Obstruction Point trail, ONP
Coldwater Lake trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

2013 brings another 356 days to experience the marvelous NorthWest!! I still have trails on 2013's list that have been passed on from last year and years pass. As I knock each one off I add new trails!!
The following list is not a "have to do" list but rather a "get to do" list. Over the years I've realized I can't hike to every trail on my list as hiking is a PART of my life. Hiking, in of itself is not my life. My life is blessed by my family, church, friends and my career. Hiking definately completes the package.
As you will see in my list I would love to combine my love for biking and backpacking to conquer my first bikepack!!
Firsts in 2013 would include a bikepack, three night/four day backpacking trip, and a 50 mile backpacking trip!!
In no order:
Previous trails to conquer include:
Skyline trail, ONP
Sundown lake, ONP
ONP's wild coastal trail!! Can't wait for this one!
Six Ridge, ONP
Upper Lena Lake, ONP
Mt. St Helen's loop, Mt. St. Helens National Monument
Mt Washington, ONF

New to 2013's list:
Bikepack Mt Margret Backcountry
Sol Duc trails, ONP
Marmot Pass trail, ONP
Mt Ranier loop, MRNP

See ya out on the trail!!

42 MILES 4 PASSES in 3 DAYS: Day 4

Looking southwest from Hurricane Ridge at Mt Olympus

Day 3, I slept in an extra hour as I was sleeping well!! Which I'm not always able to do while backpacking. With already 26 tiring miles behind my belt sleep came alot easier!
Last night at bedtime it rained. It was the only time on the trip it rainded. I was under cover for the night so the rain didn't dampen the night! The weather for the whole trip was lovely, partly cloudy with temps in the high seventies in the mountains!!
Breakfast was quick with no stove. Only three energy bars. After sleeping in I was an hour past my scheduled trail start time.
Leaving camp the skies were clear again and my camp friends, the retired couple, had already left. I had my longest mile trek in front of me, 16 miles!!!

South basin of Grand Pass

Once again my first task in front of me was hiking up a pass. 6,400 ft tall Grand Pass, with 2,300 feet to gain from camp. I didn't plan this as I planned a 4 day trip but was excited it workout this way! My first post, Day One, talks about why 4 days turned into 3 days. Gaining elevation the first part of the day is key, if you can, to long milage days.
Grand pass is mostly straight up with a small amount of switchbacks. Once up in the south basin wildflowers dominated with what seemed like a large marmot community. Piles of freshly cut herbaceous plants were nicely placed at the entrance of almost every marmot hole. Winter is coming!! No laziness here!!! I could definitely take some pointers!
Once on top of Grand Pass I passed my first fellow hikers of the day with many to come! 20 plus hikers were scene on my last day. 15 of them in Grand Valley alone which is not surprising. 

Grand Pass looking north

 
Grand valley is popular for several reasons. Its not far from Port Angeles, only 3.5 miles from the trailhead to the valley and hosts three lakes. I enjoyed the area so much on only a hike through that a month after this trek a friend and I spent a night in the valley. Which will be the topic of my next post!
The valley is almost pristine with Human activity evident throughout. Hence the reason why special wilderness permits are needed for overnight stay. Three lakes lay within the valley. Lake Gladys, Moose Lake and Grand Lake. If your staying the night them pick Lake Gladys for solitude.
I quickly hiked through the area! I finally saw my first large mammal, a deer. I was hoping for some bear or elk but nothing on this trip.
From the top of Grand Pass the trail was all downhill until I met up with Badger valley. No badgers either!! The upper section of badger valley boasts of beautiful meadows and like most of the Olympics, marmots can be seen.
At this point of the day I was starting to get very tired from my feet to my shoulders. My right shoulder which I had strained the day before was aching and my feet were very painful when I was off my feet. This made me push harder as hiking actually was less painful compared to resting on my hinnie or on foot!
I veered off Badger Valley trail to the cutoff trail that connects to the Hurricane Ridge trail. Again this was almost straight up. I felt like I could count the number of total switchbacks on two pair of hands for the whole trip!!

Looking down into Grand Valley with its lakes

After reaching the top of Hurricane Ridge it was all worth it!! With the Strait of Juan de Fuca straight to my north and the entire Olympic national park to the south. Snack time!! My favorite, green sour apple gummies!!
There's absolutely nothing like ridge hiking. The views always end up slowing me down and that's not a bad thing.
The sun was setting as low clouds were rising up through grand valley. The Strait and Port Angeles were already covered. Every 10 minutes the clouds moved higher as I hiked lower. At a moments notice we crossed paths as I suddenly laide in its misty swath! Soon I would be at my car, hoping and praying it would start!
The trek was over! It seemed so long and too short at the same time. My car started up and soon enough I was singing to the same song I on the drive up to the trailhead two days ago!!

The Needles from Hurricane Ridge

Train on Hurricane Ridge

The view from Hurricane Ridge

Heading up to Hurricane Ridge

Heading up to Grand Pass

Looking south at Cameron Basin