As much as some people love lighting off fireworks, it's just not one of my favorite things. As kids, we grew up watching the commercial exhibits, only being allowed sparklers and pinwheels. Being a dog owner, I am even less a fan of them as I have a dog that panics at the noise. I'm not talking about being jumpy or anxious, I am telling you that she goes into full-fledged terror mode; trembling, scrambling this way and that, trying to climb underneath furniture, clawing through doors to escape the noise, the full works. I live between two reservations where illegal fireworks are available, so the 'fun' starts early in our neighborhood. Rather than tranquilize her (which doesn't work), we take her camping or backpacking. The Fourth fell on a Monday this year, and fireworks legally went on sale the previous Friday. Thus the decision was made to head out into the wilderness for five full days of a different sort of liberty. My sister Heidi, and friends Evie (with her granddog Jax) and Holly joined our happy little troop.
We began our adventure on the familiar Gold Creek trail into the Buckhorn Wilderness, located in the NE section of the Olympics. This is a nicely maintained trail with moderate elevation that carried us through blooming rhododendrons, lush forest and over a few streamlets. We were within earshot of Gold Creek most of the way, and the birds in the canopy added their voices to forest's ballad. It was a beautiful day to begin a multi-day journey into the wilderness.  |
| Gold Creek |
It was early afternoon when we reached our camp in the shadow of Iron Mountain. We chose a campsite on the bank of Gold Creek, which afforded us privacy as well as access to water for filtering. With tents pitched and cat-hole dug, we explored the surrounding area. Heidi and I camped here last year, so it was fun seeing what had changed or remained the same since our last visit. The forest seemed more lush than last year as we've had more rain this summer, and wildflowers were blooming. Back at our campsite we sat back and simply absorbed the serenity of our surroundings. Evie poured us each a glass of wine, with which we toasted friendship and adventure. We prepared a quick dinner, hung our bear bags and retired early.
Hike 32 of 52 |
| Day 1 - Gold Creek |
Distance: 3.7 miles
Elevation gain: 1200' Highest elevation achieved: 4400'
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