Silver Lakes, Buckhorn Wilderness, Washington

10/20/13: One more Sunday hike to one trail that we have been thinking and planning for. Since driving to the trail head often takes more than one hour, we start early. The Sierra Club has been organizing hikes to Silver Lakes, but taking a shorter route. We decide to start from the Mt. Townsend trail head, via Quilicene, on the north east side of the Olympic Mountains. Having prepared with lots of water, snacks, lunch, and dressed for very cold temperature, we pick up Alice and John at their houseand proceed to the trail head.

We arrive at the trail head, and there are lots of cars already, so we take one of the last parking spots. 

John and Alice posing in front of the Mt. Townsend Trail sign. Note Alice has earmuffs, big scarf, gloves and a jacket ready for colder temperature.

Taking a rest on the side of the trail, after we climb steadily right at the get-go.

A sign confirming that we are in the Buckhorn Wilderness

A cluster of turkey tail fungi looking like a rose. There are numerous mushrooms, but today we are not stopping for too many of them, as we know we have a long way to go, and the ascend continues.When we come to a junction where the trail splits to Mt. Townsend to the right, and Silver Lakes to the left. Most of the hikers we meet on the trail are going to Townsend, as Silver Lakes trail is described as "Trail Less Traveled".

Rexplorer and John pointing at something interesting while Alice waits and rests. We are now in subalpine fir country.

Bright red bushes, interspersed with yellow bushes cover the slopes.

Taking another break from the continued ascend. and many switchbacks. The sun is bright and the temperature gets warmer. We shed some of our outer layers, and enjoy the warmth. We stop here and have some of our snacks, greet other hikers passing by. 

Taking a side trail to take a look at Windy Lake, a small pond size lake and a camp ground.

The panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains, as we reach the high ridge overlooking the Silver Lakes Basin.

"Toe" like rocks sticking out along the trail. From here we begin to switch back up and down trails toward the lake, further down into the basin.

Alice carefully negotiates the open section of the trail, with scree covered narrow path that challenges one's balance and focus. 

Back into the forest and meadow, where there are patches of snow. Temperature drops at least ten degrees in this shaded and snowy section of the trail.

Finally, we are back in the sun, and the Lake! Immediately we unpack our lunch, snacks, and chow down. The lake is serene and quiet, with only a few other hikers on the far side. The snow-covered mountains in the background.

The lake has trouts, but probably not for fishing. At this point, the altitude is 5425 ft. But with all the uphill and downhill and more uphill, we have climbed about 3000 ft. It has taken us more than five hours to reach this lake. We enjoy the sun and the tranquility.

Rexplorer by the lake. The sun rays are still shining bright.

CC wets her hair after removing the wool cap. The water is icy cold and very pleasant.

We have to take a photo in front of the lake before taking off. At 3:30 in the afternoon, we don't have too much time to rush back down the mountain before darkness descends upon us. We definitely don't want to be caught in darkness on the trail, even though we have brought flashlights.

John and Alice in front of the lake before we leave.

On the trail, we are above the clouds.

Near darkness when we finally reach the trail head, after 3.5 hours, much faster than going up.

We are the last car in the lot. 

For sure we have known it is a long hike, surprised to find out, after the hike, that the distance we have hiked is 12.8 miles. Total hiking time is almost 9 hours. We are all quite exhausted, with tired quads, calves, and toes. But it is a beautiful trail, with few people, and majestic views.

Tubal Cain Mine, Washinton

10/13/13: The temperature seems nice and warm, so we decide to take a hike up to the Tubal Cain Mine to check out the caves. We start a bit late, getting our stuff ready, picking up a couple of sandwiches at Safeway, and getting on Hwy 101 toward Sequim. What we have not counted on is that after leaving the highway, the long drive of almost 15 miles to the trail head on the pot-holed forest roads takes more than an hour. After crossing the Dungeness River, we arrive at the trail head parking just after noon. 
As soon as we step out of the car, we put on added layers of clothing as the chilling cold air welcomes us. This trail is mainly in the shade and we realize that we won't have much of a chance to warm up in the sun. CC's toes and fingers are cold immediately. 

Crossing Silver Creek on a log bridge. Rexplorer wears a bright orange vest for high visibility. The Fish and Game officer has informed us that hunting season has begun yesterday, and it is advisable to wear orange vest to avoid being mistaken for a bear or deer and get shot.

After entering the Buckhorn Wilderness, we begin an easy walk into the dense forest. The temperature remains cold, cold, cold, and we can see our breath. There are so many mushrooms of different sizes and colors. We have to be selective in stopping to look and take photos.

The trail is on the eastern side of a big canyon, and remains in the shadow and shade of big trees. We walk past moss draping branches, like waterfalls.

Help! My hands are frozen!

Finally finding a sunny spot, we stop for some snack and rest. CC holding up the tree with her frozen fingers, and standing on frozen and unfeeling toes. Despite the sunny looking trail, we are mostly in the shadow, watching our own breath.

They look like two pieces of liver.

One of several creeks we have to cross

Cup shape mushroom holding morning's rain water, nestling in a bed of mossy undergrowth.

After three miles, we come across this abandoned copper mining cave. These caves are not for entering and exploring. We bring flashlight to look only. 

A singing brook along the trail.

A steep rocky slope leads to the Tubal Cain Mine. Rexplorer on his way to the site.

Another hiker couple follow Rexplorer up to the cave on the left. 

The mine shaft is actually under water and no one is supposed to enter it. Tubal Cain Mine is actually privately owned. Rexplorer waits for his turn.

Interior of the mine shaft. It goes on for a long distance. 

Leftover item from the mining operation, near the camp ground.

On our way back, we take a short hike up on the trail to Toll Canyon, a steep climb. This is another abandoned mine shaft.

We meet two hikers from Olympia, and their dog who carries his own water, water dish and food. We find out that the hike up is very steep and difficult. With limited daylight, we decide to save this part of the hike for a future adventure.

On the long trek back to the car, we meet two gun-toting hunters. They are pleased that we have bright color coverings - Rexplorer has his orange vest, and CC has a neon yellow Camelback cover - as they explains that if we didn't have the high visibility covering. our black jackets could be mistaken for black bears, even when we are walking on a trail.  We are quite surprised to hear that, but glad to have taken the precaution.  We are near the end of our trip back to the parking. By now, the sun is almost down and the air is bitterly cold. We jump in the car and turn on the heat. Although we have been able to hike in the park, we have finally found out the effect of the Federal government shutdown. On our way past the next trail head, we stop to use the bathroom, only to find a notice on the door that it is closed due to the shutdown. Fortunately we are able to drive another ten miles to the nearest native American owned grocery store that has an excellent restroom. 

Mt. Townsend in Washington

The weather in Port Townsend area has been mostly cloudy, rainy, and cold. When we find out that Sunday, the 6th, will be a sunny day, we decide to tackle the level 4 (out of 5) hike up to Mt. Townsend, a 6,500 ft. mountain that overlooks Seattle, Bainbrdige, Kitsap, Jefferson counties, Port Townsend to Sequim. We pick up Alice and John at 8 a.m. (one of the pluses hiking in the cool weather, when we don't have to start at 6 a.m.!) Loaded with snacks, sandwiches, water and warm clothes, we drive one hour on Hwy 101, to Lords Lake Loop Rd, then on gravel road 28, and 2820 to the trail head parking. We are the only car in the lot, but soon another car arrives with two hikers who take off right away.

We are in no big hurry. John is checking out the pole lengths to make sure they're just right for Alice to be ready for the uphill climb.

It is mushroom season, and we see lots of different types. This one has the size, shape and color of a hamburger bun. Just don't eat it!

The narrow trail goes deep into the pine forest that gives out a strong pine scent. Occasionally we can see through the trees into the distance mountains.

Here is a couple of "potato" mushrooms.

Lots of excitement as we spot this little patch of snow. We know we will be hiking in the first snow of the season. Recent cold weather has brought an unseasonably early snowfall. 

This large white mushroom could be the valuable (expensive) mushroom, but we are not going to try it.

Snow on the trail. We will soon be trudging through thicker snow on the ground. Notice Alice and John are both in short sleeves, as the temperature is very pleasant at this point. 

Nearing two hours, we find a sunny spot with a log on the trail, perfect for a snack break. Boiled eggs, apple slices, crackers, Japanese rice crackers make us happy again. We continue our hike. 

We have reached above tree lines, and the view opens to this grand vista of the snow capped Olympic mountains. John and Rexplorer pose for this photo near the very edge of the cliff. They fail to convince Alice and CC to try the same.

Buckhorn Mountains.

Nearing the top, as we turn this corner we are able to see the Townsend peak. The sun is still out and keeping us warm.

The cold wind whips up no sooner than our arrival to the peak. We go over to the leeward side for our lunch break. Rexplorer puts on his "raccoon" hat, feeling warm and snugly. John enjoys the view. From this spot, we can see all the way down to the towns, the bridge, and both Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. Except for a slightly hazy air, the view is quite spectacular.

Sated with food, CC takes a little rest.

Likewise, Alice takes a little nap, while John checks out the view down below. 

The ground is snow covered, but not too deeply. The wind is wickedly cold here. We bundle up.

John and Rexplorer standing on the very top ledge of Mt. Townsend.

CC and Alice on top of the mountain, feeling pretty good about the accomplishment. 

With the wind whipping, Rexplorer and CC put on the windbreakers and cover their heads, for a photo op before heading back down the mountain.

John and Alice brave the wind. The sky is so clear and blue, and the air so fresh. We see a few other people and dogs taking advantage of this beautiful day for a great hike.

Two stunning looking red mushrooms stand out even more in the white snow. 

There are so many mushroom, large and small, that this is one of the more unusual one with a flower growing out of the cup shape stem.

Finally, this group of little mushrooms calls for attention.

As we approach the end of the hike, we pass through this forest of dead trees and fallen trunks. This hike begins at around 4000 ft, takes 3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours down, at our leisurely pace. It is thoroughly enjoyable.