A few months ago I found a site on Facebook called Exotic Hikes. They are an organization that writes about hikes on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Olympic National Park. They post pictures frequently and I've learned many interesting historical things from them as well. One of the hikes that they highlighted shortly before spring break is a loop trail that goes to Humes Ranch, Michael's Cabin and also by a beautiful river feature called Goblin's Gate. I decided that I had to do this hike and so I drove up the Elwha River Valley, past where they've taken down the Elwha Dam, and then up Whiskey Bend Road, a narrow, one car dirt road in surprisingly good shape and with only a few pot holes. I had stopped by the Olympic National Park Visitor's Center in Port Angles and had picked up a map.
The day was sunny and warm with clear blue skies and I followed the trail up until I took the side trail down for Goblin's Gate.
It was a steep descent down to the river and I was glad I had my hiking poles to take some of the pressure off my knees. Goblin's Gate was beautiful, but actually a little scary. I stayed well back from the edge, since a slip into the river with my backpack on probably wouldn't have been a good thing. I didn't stay very long because another family came along and I wanted to move out of the way for them to take pictures as well.
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| Water rushes through Goblin's Gate |
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| Goblin's Gate |
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| Goblin's Gate |
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Goblin's Gate
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I retraced my steps back to the trail and continued on the lower trail since it makes a more gradual descent back up. I enjoyed the sound of the water rushing past and it seemed to be singing with a deep solemn joy,
Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God, I'm Free at Last! The Elwha River as been loosed from the dam that chained it and slowed it down and although this area was above that, the sound of the river filled the whole valley.
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| selfie! |
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| Trail that skirts the river |
After following the river for a bit, the trail gradually climbed up to Humes Ranch, a cool little cabin that was restored a few years ago. You can't stay in the cabin, but there is a campground down in the meadow that has bear wires.
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| Several trees were tagged with these metal tabs. Maybe fruit trees? |
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| Humes cabin to the left, the trail to the right goes to the campground |
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| A plaque on the door tells some of the history of the Humes brothers and their cabin |
After exploring the cabin and looking around, I continued down the trail to a lovely meadow and then on through the campground that had a youth group staying in it. The trail looped around and up and then I discovered Michael's Cabin set off the trail as well. It has also had some restoration done on it.
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| Michael's Cabin |
I enjoyed the views across the valley to the steep mountains, the roar of the river, and my heart sang as I continued up the trail back to the trail head. Some places on the trail were a bit muddy, but I did okay in my tennis shoes instead of my hiking boots. I passed several other hikers and a volunteer Olympic Park Ranger who asked about trail conditions. Although there were a few blow downs and a little mud in spots, over all the trail was in good condition. This loop trail was six miles.
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| This Madrona tree has picked up the rock that originally impeded its growth |
Once I was finished hiking I drove on up to Hurricane Ridge since it was a clear day. I didn't stay long since it was much colder up there, but the views were amazing.
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| Hurricane Ridge |
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| Mt. Olympus |
After lingering at the visitor's center for awhile, I headed back down the mountain and over to Port Townsend, where I enjoyed a vanilla malt at the malt shop before catching the ferry back to Coupeville. What an awesome way to spend a few days during spring break!
