July Trek; Day Four; Boulder Camp to Camp Handy

July 4, 2016 - Independence Day.
 

The previous day's decision push to on Boulder Camp meant that we were two miles closer to our day four destination - Camp Handy. We were able to linger longer in our tents, and lounge a bit at camp. The sun lit up the peaks that formed a sheltering ring around camp, with Mt Buckhorn staring down on us from the northeast. It was amazing to think that we had not only been on the other side the previous morning, but that we had come over the top of his western leg. Having recovered from the exertion of the day before, I was filled anew with a sense of accomplishment.

Daybreak at Boulder Camp - Photo by HIWalker Photo

Looking back, I find it fascinating how quickly our mornings had become routine in so short a time. We awoke, prepared and ate breakfast, filtered our day's water, broke camp and headed back out on the trail, ensuring we had left no trace of our stay behind - all with a casual normalcy.

Our day's journey carried us out of the bowl where Boulder Camp and further down the western side of the ridge we had spent two days traversing and climbing. As we hiked, the terrain gradually descended and the severity of our surroundings softened. The trees began to grow taller and thicker as we left the subalpine forest behind us, bathing us in welcome shade and shadows. The alpine wildflowers of our previous three days were replaced now by shade-loving Candystick, Bog Orchids, Wintergreens and delicate Twin Flower. Less than two hours after leaving Boulder Camp, we arrived at Camp Handy.

 Camp Handy is another of the Adirondack style shelters constructed in the Olympic mountains during the early 1900's. There are only a handful of the original shelters remaining and, due to wilderness preservation efforts, are slowly dying out. The battle to save them has pit historic preservationists against (extreme) wilderness preservationists. Its a sensitive topic and I can see the points of the opposing views. That said, as a hiker and backpacker, I am extremely thankful for the shelters that still stand.

View of the Dungeness River from one of the sites at Camp Handy

Camp Handy is situated a few hundred feet off the Dungeness River, surrounded on three sides by forest and on the fourth by a beautiful river meadow full of Larkspur, Cow Parsnip, Twin Berry, Nettles and Salmonberry, to name but a few. We had hiked to this location earlier in the year when there was still snow covering portions of this same meadow. It looked so different adorned in a quilt of summertime color!  

We had the camp to ourselves, so found a suitable campsite then gathered wood for a relaxing and warming fire. The dogs stretched out in the sunshine for a lengthy snooze. With the most difficult portions of our trip behind us, we were able to relax  and the laughter came more easily. We reminisced over our trip thus far, shared stories about past hikes, and talked about our desires for future adventures. Dinner was delicious, and Evie brought out dehydrated Crème Brulee for a drool-worthy dessert. 

Holly demonstrates her tried & true method for breaking firewood
(photo by HIWalker Photo)

We watched the flames begin to die down in our fire as the daylight began fading. A light mist moved in, condensing over the river and filling the meadow with a peaceful quiet, broken only by the sounds of the Dungeness. The rigors of the past four days finally overtook us and we headed for our tents and the comfort of our sleeping bags. Another fabulous day on the trail behind us.

Evening at Camp Handy - Photo by HIWalker Photo

Hike 35 of 52
Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain (Loss): -1800'