Upper Dungeness River Trail

February 27, 2016

In the Buckhorn Wilderness area of the Olympics, near Sequim, there lies a trail that I have been wanting to hike for a couple of years. It's trailhead is another of those I often pass on my way to other trails. During the summer the parking lot is usually very full, indicating a large number of people out on the trail, enjoying nature. This isn't the case in February, however, when the temperatures are a bit colder (okay, much colder) and the weather unpredictable. Admittedly, the forecast for the weekend wasn't glorious, but my hiking pals and I packed raingear and gaitors and hit the trail anyhow. And, boy, are we glad we did! The weather cooperated and gave us a partly sunny day.

There is minimal elevation gain on the Upper Dungeness trail, but it comes all at once at the beginning of the trail ...then again a few more times along the trail as we gave some back, then re-claimed as we climbed the next hill. The trail is, for the most part, in good repair and follows the river almost the entire way. There was a landslide area that we had to navigate, otherwise only minimal obstacles. The river was beautiful, as was the forest it dissects. We crossed it twice on two log footbridges, taking pause to appreciate the river rushing beneath us. The old growth forest surrounded us and cushioned our steps, muffling the sounds of our boots on the trail; the silence only occasionally broken by our conversations and the sounds of the river, which was ever present.

 

Heidi & Zillah enjoy a stroll through the forest

Holly makes her way across the slide area

Our destination was Camp Handy, a back-country shelter that was originally built sometime in the early 1900's. At one time, there were 193 of these shelters - only 32 still survive. It was here we removed our packs and ate lunch. The clouds broke and allowed enough sunlight through to warm our bodies as we sat on a log eating. Rihanna sang, "Turn your face towards the sun; Let the shadows fall behind you; Don't look back, just carry on; And the shadows will never find you." So too did we turn our faces towards the sun, allowing the rays to wash over us. The moment passed quickly and with the clouds came also the return of the cold. Time to pack up and get back on the trail.

The return trip went quickly, with only minimal stops to take additional photos. The distance of this hike wasn't much, but was more than I've done so far this year. I was disappointed to find the now all too familiar issues of knee & hip weakness/pain have returned. Fortunately I know how to deal with those issues. Otherwise, it was a perfect day. I got to spend quality time with friends, my sister and our dog Zillah. Everyone had a good time and we all continue to improve in conditioning and skill. I will definitely return to hike this trail again.

Hike #8 of 52

Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation gain: 600 ft