Off Season Olympics

Let it be known, I love the Olympic National Park and I can't stay away. I love it in the summer. I love it in the winter. I love grey skies and big mossy trees dripping on me. It's a very lovable place.

Winter also means fallen trees blocking access to campgrounds. But trees in roads make good places to stop and camp just as well. And parts of park that normally have cars are greatly improved by a lack of cars.

Apparently trees don't only fall before you arrive. A nice mature alder decided to end its life by blocking my exit from this quiet stretch of road. No service and no saw and nothing I could do. Fortunately, my deliverance came when the dutiful USPS Rural Carrier Associate pulled up in his minivan and chainsawed the tree to bits. I owe my life to the USPS! No more trips without bringing a saw of my own...

Next on my agenda, a wandering through the woods towards a point on my map I had noted for potential big treeness. I parked at the old kestner homestead, and began my soggy journey north.

After some time, I altered my northward heading to travel a bit more eastwards, crossed Kestner creek (boots full of water, thank you wool socks), and made my way towards Finley creek. There I found the long sought grove as well as some fresh bear tracks. Exciting, but I didn't stick around to find the bear.

Well into the afternoon, I had time for one last stop; the Maple Glade Rain Forest loop. Perhaps at its best this time of year, fully flooded and with maximum dripping. I switched out my soaked-through rain coat for my very-damp rain coat and headed out for my final brief excursion.

Then I went home. But moral of the story is don't let anyone tell you that the rainiest part of the lower 48 during the rainiest time of year is not worth a visit. You can't have a rain forest without rain! Although I would not recommend it without wool from head to tow, multiple rain coats, and maybe a saw.