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Slugman It’s a Slugfest!
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 16874 | TRs | Pics
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 7:27 am
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What a great spring river hike! There are huge grassy meadows, moss gardens, giant trees, wide smooth trail, and little elevation gain. The pup and I made it about 4 1/2 miles in to a deserted meadow where the trail is fully grass-covered. The snow level was hardly visible even on the surrounding mountains. In mid to late June I am hoping to do a three day trip into Royal Basin, and it looks like it will be melted out enough by then. If you drive there, be sure to go the way that passes Dungeness Forks campground, the other way has a washout. I met a man coming down from Marmot pass who said he encountered an agressive black bear who wouldn't back off. He said he had to fire a gunshot over the bear's head to get it to let him pass. He seemed normal and generally believeable. (the man, not the bear).
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 7:33 am
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How did Marmot Pass look? Did crazy man say anything else?
That area up there is So pretty! So have you done Royal Basin yet? I did that last summer, it was just so gorgeous!! We did it in 2 days, I wish I'd had 3 or 4 days to just sit and soak it all in
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Slugman It’s a Slugfest!
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 16874 | TRs | Pics
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 8:18 am
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Sarbar, I didn't go to Marmot pass, just enough along that trail to get to the junction that takes you to the trail up the river. He was coming down the other fork from the pass. He actually was a totally normal looking and sounding person, kind of like the faceless neighbor on the TV show Home Improvement. He had a fly-fishing pole and a .38 in a holster on his hip. He said he carried it just because you never know who you will meet when alone in the woods. He had indeed, at least at some point, fired off a round. He let me handle the gun while still loaded. So much for protection from crazies if he lets me have the gun! I have never been to Royal Basin, but from descriptions in the books and comments like yours, I am itching to go there and spend a whole day there just absorbing the tranquility. I would need a whole day just to struggle up there, and a day to return, so three days would be a minimum for me. Luckily I have three days off in a row every week, two of them weekdays. Sweet! I have done 16 dayhikes and 3 overnighters already this year, so I am going to be in good shape for some longer trips starting in about three weeks. (Good shape for me means the ability to do 2- 3,000 ft in a day with full pack, resting one out of every four days). When I told Tanja that my dream is to hike the PCT in WA all at once (503 miles), she replied, "How will you get 100 days off in a row?". I figure I would add stamina as I went, so 90 days would be enough. Someday....
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 8:26 am
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Hehheh!! Love the spirit!
Royal Basin is one of the top 3 places, I have seen in my life The best is go up to the lake-the meadows right below are gorgeous, but keep going that last 1/2 mile HURTS SO BAD the lake is really pretty but go around it (trail goes all the way around) and find the trail that leaves the lake, it drops down to another meadow-you can see the huge waterfall that starts Royal Creek, the trail wanders past the big overhanging rock with lots more camping sites (and way less bugs than the lake!! I got bit over 100 times!!!!) Then cross the footlog over a small creek and your on your way to the upper basin....yowza!!!! you will love this hike!! But be very forwarned--it is a quota area and there was I think at least 4 groups that showed up with NO permits and tried to take camping spots!! And the ranger up there was useless, with no spine. So if you can do it mid week I'd recomend it. Big PS:there are no privies up there, and people had done their business right next to the lake!!!! YUCK!!!!!!
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Hoosierdaddy Trophy Husband
Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 436 | TRs | Pics Location: Little Norway |
Slugman, I'm going to Royal Basin this coming weekend (6-14, 15) and I'll post a trip report for you when I return. I was last up there about 15 years ago and remember the rugged high peaks all around the lake as well as the playful marmots running around quite near the camp sites.
And, yes I have made reservations with the WIC. Sarbar, any suggestions of how to handle the stealth hikers (Those without reservations) if there are no camp sites available? Other than finding a different spot?
God, I am going to regret this someday!
God, I am going to regret this someday!
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 9:10 am
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Slugman It’s a Slugfest!
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 16874 | TRs | Pics
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
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Fri Jun 06, 2003 8:07 pm
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Now you've done it! I am ACTUALLY itching to get up there right this minute! Hoosierdaddy, the trip report will be put to good use. I will try to plan this trip for June 22nd, 23rd and 24th. I encounter the same use pattern all the time, even at popular places like Spider Meadow: when I hike in on Sunday, I see plenty of dayhikers, and campers who are leaving. By nightfall, there is good to excellent solitude, and then Monday and Tuesday are lonesome indeed. I can only hope the pattern holds for this hike if I do it soon. And since it is in Olympic National Park, I will have to leave the dog home. This makes me happy, as otherwise I would feel semi-obligated to take the critter. She's great on dayhikes, but a small pain on overnighters or in crowded conditions. I relish the chances for total solitude and the absorption of nature. Thanks for all the info, gang!
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Hoosierdaddy Trophy Husband
Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 436 | TRs | Pics Location: Little Norway |
God, I am going to regret this someday!
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