[Phil]

I got away for a day and made the long drive out to Wynoochee valley to hike the trail to the pass and crash brush up to Wynoochee basin and around there. The road in is recently maintained but still I think its made for trucks. I wouldn't take my car there. Saw no one all day aside from two hunting parties glassing distant clearcuts from the roads on the way in. Thanks to Larry for road and route info. The trail passes through prestine forest of massive silver fir and mountain hemlocks, including the record mt hemlock. I went up through brush and steep slopes to Wynoochee basin. Gorgeous! One bear there eating berries. I explored the basin and the rugged surrounding ridges before returning. On the way out looked around the swamp/lake area where the fugitive John Turnow was gunned down. A few pics: wynoochee basin ponds, basin from above, wynoochee valley from the service road.

Wynoochee basin

Wynoochee basin

Wynoochee valley

[Larry]

GREAT report Phil! A truly wonderful and pristine area that BEGS for roaming. I am so happy that you got up there! Larry

[bobbi]

thanks for this report! i must go there!

[kite]

Nice TR with some interesting history. I saw your other thread on John Turnow when I Google his name to see who he was, nice find. Got lost up there once when I went over Wynoochee pass thinking it was Sundown Pass

[half fast]

Nice photos... Lucky you seeing a bear !! We spent 3 days, two nights, 18 + miles and saw ZERO bears... Sounds like you had a greaaat day in the Olys !! Thanks for sharing ...

[Phil]

Thanks everyone. Yeah Kite, I can easily imagine getting lost up there, its a complex area for being so small on the map. The spur trail from Wynoochee pass to Sunset pass area is recently flagged so less of an issue now. Re: Turnow/Tornow, a great read that you probably know about is: http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Circumstance-Ron-Fowler/dp/096544791X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283886798&sr=1-1 You get a high level of intelligent detail on the Tornow story, but also an appreciation for what that terrain was like back around 1900. A special bonus in the book is an annotated map of the area between Montesano, Matlock, Humptulips, Wynoochee valleys, based in part on 19th century sources.

[Phil]

I'll send you a PM mossy

[Deereguy]

Phil, Sounds like you off-trail a bit. Just South and West of where you were is Connie Lake. Connie is one of the more beautiful lakes, location in the Olympics. Keep it a secret. The route can be a little tricky. rick

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Phil, You Rock! I am embarrassed to admit this: but I failed the terminus of the pass due to a bee freak-out. I went up there in Sept 2005. We got all the way past stepping over the Wynoochee and the bees were so pesty I turned around and blasted for my truck. I'm getting over the bee fear, although I still don't like them. I hope to get up there this year. Do you have more pics of this trip? I bet I was pretty close to the meadow - darn it!

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Hi Deereguy, Lake Connie is on the list this year. I know a couple of people that have gone there and gave me the how-to's. Super excited!

[Phil]

Humpnoocheergirl yeah there is a lifetime of exploring in the SW Olympics and this was my first time there. So few go there in part because its a long drive for most. BTW the Wynoochee Bowl is a good bit off trail in the upper reaches of the valley. Here are a few more pics from my trip:

stumps.JPG

The trail itself has beautiful ground cover on and around it:

Wynoochee trail

wynoochee.basin1.JPG

This picture doesnt capture the massiveness of this cedar clump. 15'+ diameter at least:

cedar.clump.JPG

Where poor John Turnow met his end:

turnow.lake.JPG

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Phil, Thanks so much for the pics and info. I am so focused on the Southern Olympics now. You're right, so much to explore. Re: the Bowl, approx where do you go off trail to find it?

[Phil]

PM sent Hgirl