[Ski]

60th Anniversary - 08/19 - 08/24 USGS 12040500 08/19/18 @ 05:30 PDT - 507 CFS Central Park 08/19/18 @ 08:30 PDT 57° F Amanda Park 08/19/18 @ 09:50 PDT 59° F Nine vehicles at trailhead at 11:00 AM, one of which belonged to a young man who was packing up and leaving. Spoke briefly with a young couple who staying in the campground and were just beginning a walk around the Sams Loop Trail. They said that most of the people who had been staying in the campground left earlier that morning. Met a trio about a half a mile in who were coming out from an overnight at Spruce Bottom. One of them had a number of questions like "Why are there no signs here?" I referred him to Park headquarters up at Port Angeles for an answer on that one, and spent a lot of time answering quite a few others. Met a group of four dayhikers coming out at a dry Coal Creek while I was shaking the sand out of my socks. One of them was carrying a rock the size of a football in his hands. The weather was nice and sunny, and the sky was relatively clear of smoke when I got to the big maple on the bank at about mile 3.0 and had a little snack.

Queets River (mile 3.0) 081918 01

Queets River (mile 3.0) 081918 02

The new bypass Ernie cut last year at about mile 3.5 is well established and easily walked. He just cut out all the blowdowns out to about mile 8.5, and it's all clear except for a punky spruce that fell down across the trail at (approx.) mile 4.7 - 4.8, but I believe it will be taken care of shortly. It's easily climbed over with a pack, but it will be a barrier for pack stock until it's cut out. He cut a new short little bypass just above Spruce Bottom at (approx.) mile 5.2 - 5.3 that addressed a devil of a little vertical slope of clay about 6 feet high. Weather was still sunny and clear and warm when I set up camp and fixed up some capellini with fresh homemade pesto and a few other goodies for supper.

Queets River 081918 01

There was just a tiny bit of haze when the last light hit Pelton. By the time it was dark most of the stars were obscured by the haze and I went to bed fairly early.

Queets River 081918 02

Queets River 081918 03

Monday morning it was warm but hazy - the sun an orange ball behind the trees across the river when I had my usual breakfast.

It cleared up a bit and was warm enough all day for lots of diving into the Queets.

Queets River 082018 02

Queets River 082018 01

After some nice torellini with salmon and sun-dried tomatoes I went to bed.

The next few days were warm but the smoky haze eliminated any possibility of views or stargazing, leaving not much else to do but lots of diving into the Queets, watching the river go by, and eating all the groceries.

BK Queets 082018 01

BK Queets 082018 02

Queets River 082118 01

Friday I went down and said hello to Birdie, then across the street and waited in line for a gigantic latte with a dozen other tourists who were buying overpriced wine, chips, and firewood. I checked out the fun-house Spruce Burl Trail and then took a nap down at Beach #1, and then had a little snack at Ashenbrenner before the long drive home.

Kalaloch Beach 1 082418 02

Kalaloch Beach 1 082418 01

I have it on good authority that the section of trail between Harlow Bottom and Paradise should be cleared out in a few weeks, which should make travel farther upstream easier. I also just received a report from an old acquaintance who walked up to Kilkelly last week and reports that what remains of "trail" above Harlow is sketchy at best, and through the burn area somewhat impassible; the stretch from just below Bob up to Pelton more easily negotiated out on the gravel bars.

[tinman]

Ski, always look forward to your yearly Queets report. And 60 years is just flat amazing!

[cascadetraverser]

60 years is amazing! By your healthy appearance and that healthy tasty looking food, I look forward to many more....

[Bloated Chipmunk]

[Ski]

thanks tinman and cascadetraverser

[meck]

Hi Ski, I was looking forward to your report from the Queets this year, sounds like quite a pleasant adventure and great time to be out there! (I am always envious of your meal selections) Visiting the burned area was a pretty neat adventure last year, though the sticker brush vines were taking over the remnants of the trail that I was able to find; its good to know that the upper end of that trail is getting some TLC.

[Ski]

[gmphiker]

Looks like you had a great time Ski! I was up with my cousin and his nine year old son (first trip up the Queets) Aug 27th - 31st. Had a fabulous trip. Great weather except for one off and on rainy day, and very minimal smoke. We only went as far a Tshletshy but had a great time taking short hikes up and down the river from there. We even hiked up Tshletshy about a mile, which I hadn't done in years The condition of the trail is better than it's been in many years. Many thanks to Ernie! Thanks for the email link to your post! Gary.

[Kim Brown]

Looks like a great time, Ski! Great looking grub, too! So... What's the anniversary!? I didn't catch that.

[Ski]

first hike up the Queets was 60 years ago.

[Kim Brown]

I thought so, but wanted to be sure! And....damn you're old!