I spent four days and three nights out in the woods of the Olympic Peninsula with my brother Tom, in for a visit from Central NY. I had a great time, especially since it was our first time camping together. I think that Tom had a great time too (he doesn't say much, but he did catch three fish!) and I hope that we get to do it again sometime. We hiked up the East Fork of the Quinault River in the Quinault Rainforest; it was an in and out hike with the terminus being the Enchanted Valley. We saw elk, some birds, wild rainbow trout, some ground mammals, and lots of signs of bears, but no bears. He had a fun time observing Julia too and she finally warmed up to him at the end of the week.
The first bull elk we saw....he only had a harem of five girls.
Anderson Glacier and Mt. Anderson as viewed from the Enchanted Valley
The very frightening suspension bridge we had to cross to get into the Enchanted Valley. It was easily 50 feet above the river, narrow and wet. And did you see that there is only 1 handrail? I had to talk myself across or else I would still be up there in the middle of it.
Last day, at the trailhead....13.5 miles x2 in four days!!! Not bad for not having backpacked since high school (for me, Tom does this for a living).
Uncle Tome gives Julia some fashion pointers on his last day with us. She was awed that she got to wear the grey fedora.
