[protrails]

Hey all, I'll be presenting at the March 24th FONP meeting at 7pm. Black Bears of Enchanted Valley is the topic. Should be fun! At the Olympic NP Visitor Center. Best, Dave @ ProTrails.com

[bobbi]

are you going to be speaking for or against closure of EV because of bears?

[protrails]

That's the park's decision. I'll be doing a photo presentation on the bears in the valley. 👍

[RodF]

Friends of Olympic National Park Thursday, March 24, 7 pm Olympic NP Visitors Center Auditorium 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles A "State of the Park" report will be offered by Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum and Deputy Sup't Lee Taylor. Dr. Sam Baker will receive our 2016 "Most Inspirational Friend" award. Dave Schwartz, avid hiker and creator of the ProTrails website, will present "Enchanted Valley - Land of the Black Bears" and answer your questions on trails and hiking in the Park. Members will cast ballots for Friends' board. This event is free and open to the public. Please join us! Most Inspirational Friend awardee Sam Baker has been hiking in ONP since 1952 and skiing in ONP since 1954. He was introduced to the Bailey Range in 1978 by the late Dr. John Siemens, and therein began an almost annual trip into that region either with family and friends or solo. Sam was the volunteer Medical Advisor for ONP for many years and does volunteer trail work in the Park. After a career as an orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Port Angeles, he’s served annually for the past decade with Health Volunteers Overseas in Bhutan. Sam will share photos of his many experiences in the Park. "Enchanted Valley - Land of the Black Bears" Dave Schwartz introduces us to Enchanted Valley, located 13 miles from Graves Creek Trailhead in the SW quadrant of Olympic National Park. This celebrated trail closely follows the Quinault River through old growth temperate rainforests into a deep glacial valley below Chimney Peak, Mount Anderson and White Mountain. The Valley proper runs approximately 3 miles with scores of waterfalls pouring from steep valley walls, and is home to a large, concentrated and active black bear population. The bear problem at Enchanted Valley has been the cause of recent seasonal camping closures. Other than permanent closure of the valley to camping, the bears will and should remain a concern to park visitors.

Dr. Sam Baker

Enchanted Valley bear

upcoming May 7

[protrails]

Looking forward to it Rod!