OTHH HIKING DESRIPTIONS FOR DECEMBER/2023

Disclaimer: OTHH hiking group assumes no collective or individual liability for any mishaps on any OTHH outings or hikes. Please hike & partake at your own risk.

NOTE: Please do your own research on the hikes/descriptions listed below to determine if they are up to your ability and interest. Some mileages and elevation gains may be subject to change.

Wed., Dec. 6th: Anderson Lake – S. Side (DNR Trails) EASY ~ 5 mi./500’

New route for group & on opposite side from where the Anderson Lake Trails are located. Combination of biking, hiking, & horse trails. PARKING PASS: Discover

Fri., Dec. 8th: Striped Peak MODERATE ~ 7-8 mi./1,450’1,560’

Many options of loops at this County Park, including the beautiful Cove & the relatively new trail built by WTA & other organizations. The leader may take us on other loops in this area. PARKING PASS: N/A

Wed., Dec. 13th: Port Gamble Heritage Forest EASY ~ 5 mi./464–500’

Sarah always leads us on a fun route here as we cover many loops, including Secret Squirrel, Beaver Pond, & go to the viewing platform. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at the Port Gamble General Store where we get to enjoy the holiday lights and treasures! PARKING PASS: N/A

Fri., Dec. 15th: Whiskey Creek MODERATE ~ 6.5–10 mi./1,100-1,800’ (TBD)

New route off of Joyce-Piedmont E. introduced by Paul. Possibility of a couple of different loops & can have lunch at a picnic table along the OAT. Be flexible! This is adventurous! PARKING PASS: Discover

Wed., Dec. 20th: VOA/Dungeness County Park EASY ~ 4-5 mi./450’

Bev will lead by walking along the bluff & viewing the Strait; on the more primitive trail to the beach & views of the lighthouse; past the Wildlife Office; & to the meadow overlook with views of the mts.; & viewing the largest yew tree in the County. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK/GOLDEN

Fri., Dec. 22nd: W. Spruce RR Trail/Lake Crescent Lodge* EASY ~ 5-7 mi./400’

Walk Spruce R.R. from the West end & perhaps go to the tunnel(s) & back with beautiful views of Lake Crescent. Afterwards, we will enjoy a holiday lunch at Lake Crescent Lodge. Please plan accordingly—Please let us know by *Wed.,12/20*, if you plan to come. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK/GOLDEN

Wed., Dec. 27th: Verne Samuelson EASY-TO-MODERATE ~ 5 mi./758’

Matt has found a new route for us off of this County Trail leaving from his house, as there is limited parking at T.H. Carefully cross 101 and proceed on the trail up towards Wellman Rd. & then back through the park crossing Valley Creek & hitting an area near the high school. PARKING PASS: N/A

Fri., Dec. 29th: Lake Angeles MODERATE ~7.5mi./2,400-2,700’

Very popular, busy hike for the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. Be prepared for a workout after crossing Ennis Creek at a mile. Micro-spikes might be needed. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK/GOLDEN

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DISCLAIMER: OTHH hiking group assumes no collective or individual liability for any mishaps on any of their outings or hikes. HIKING IS DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please use discretion and be safe. Carry your 10 Essentials & PLEASE BE PREPARED!

NOTE: As with any hike, do your own checking about the hike--research the mileages and elevation gains to determine whether a certain hike is for you. Various sources will give you different information!

Please be prepared. Bring your own “Ten Essentials” & plenty of food/water/electrolytes.

OTHH HIKING DESRIPTIONS FOR OCTOBER/2023

Disclaimer: OTHH hiking group assumes no collective or individual liability for any mishaps on any OTHH outings or hikes. Please hike & partake at your own risk.

NOTE: Please do your own research on the hikes/descriptions listed below to determine if they are up to your ability and interest. Some mileages and elevation gains may be subject to change.

WED., Oct. 4th: Steam Donkey/Maple Valley Trail EASY ~ 4.5 - 5 miles/450’

Pleasant hike at Dosewallips State Park in Brinnon. It gets the Steam Donkey trail name from logging equipment. We hope to see salmon coming up the river to spawn & maybe even get to see some elk, along w/ fall colors! Cross under 101 & go out & look over the tidal flats from an observation platform. Afterwards, we may have lunch at the Geoduck Restaurant/Tavern. PARKING PASS: Discover

FRI., Oct. 6th: Salmon Creek/Blyn Towers EASY THEN MODERATE ~ 7 miles/1,600’

Sarah Miller will show the group the Salmon Creek area at the historic Larrance Farm, a Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife site managed by the Jefferson Land Trust. We hope to see some salmon! After this opportunity, we will hike up to the Blyn Mt. Cell Towers. PARKING PASS: Discover

WED., OCT. 11TH: Elwha Fish Hatchery to Mouth EASY ~ 7.3 miles/255’

Visit the newer Elwha Fish Hatchery to see if any salmon are still there; then walk out towards Point Angeles & the E. mouth of the Elwha passing the older fish hatchery. This is an easy walk mainly on a roadbed & some trail along the river. May even see osprey! PARKING PASS: N/A

FRI., OCT. 13TH: Deer Park - Three Forks MODERATE – DIFFICULT EARLY START 8:30 ~9 mi./3,300’ -3,400’

Reverse hike from Deer Park C.G. & heading down to confluence of 3 creeks: Gray Wolf, Grand, & Cameron. Steep, downhill trek w/ beautiful views of Gray Wolf & Grand Ridges & Grand Valley at the beginning before heading down thru the trees & ~ 19 switchbacks. Come to 3-Forks Shelter. Continue an addtl. ½ mi. to Gray Wolf Camp & junction w/ the Gray Wolf Trail. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK

WED., OCT. 18TH: Fort Townsend EASY ~ 6.5 – 7.5 mi./800’

This fort at Port Townsend Bay has quite the military history, including a torpedo x-ray tower & a former military cemetery where 27 bodies were interred to Presidio, CA in 1898. It has many lovely forested trails (with some labelled native plants & trees) & includes a bluff trail, madrona trail, & a self-guided interpretive trail, amongst others. PARKING PASS: Discover

FRI., OCT. 20TH: Sunrise Ridge to Victor Pass MODERATE-DIFFICULT ~ 8 – 9.5 mi. / 1,700’-2,300’

Beautiful hike leaving from Hurricane Ridge & heading along Sunrise Ridge to Victor Pass with awesome views of the surrounding mts.. Pass base of Mt. Angeles & the Switchback Trail before steeply climbing a mile up to Victor Pass. May proceed ~ ¾ mi. beyond Victor Pass. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK

WED., OCT. 25th: Gibbs Lake EASY ~4.5- 5 mi./250’

Several options are here at this multi-use, 700-acre, Jefferson County Park with its 90-acre lake! Usually, the route takes us on the Walt Hoffman Trail around the lake, Jack’s Track, Ameri-Corps, Scout’s Trail, just to name a few. There is a nice picnic table at the lake for a snack or lunch. PARKING PASS: N/A

FRI., OCT. 27TH: Heather Park/Pass MODERATE – DIFFICULT ~ 9.5-10 mi./3,648’-3,950’

A good work-out & “a devil of a climb”! Up at a knob at Heather Pass are good views of Mt. Olympus & the Strait! At 1.5 mi. is Half-Way Rock (not quite half way, however). Walk past the actual Heather Park, which is a subalpine bowl w/ a creek & campsites. On a side trail @ ~ 5,300’ is an old fireplace built in ~ 1938 for the Heather Park Forest Camp before ONP was formed. PARKING PASS: NATL. PARK

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DISCLAIMER: This OTHH hiking group assumes no collective or individual liability for any mishaps on any of their hikes or outings. HIKING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please use discretion and choose to be safe!

NOTES: As with any hike, please do your own checking about a hike—research the mileage & elevation gain to determine whether a certain hike is for you. Various sources will give you different information!

Please be prepared. Bring your own “Ten Essentials”.

THANK YOU

HAPPY & SAFE HIKING !