Gold Creek #830

[Mumbles]

Me and the gromlettes had a free weekend, so we wanted to hit a trail. The girls discussed a few places we've been that they liked (pretty much all of them) but decided that if we didn't go somewhere new we were not doing it right. I applaud that conclusion and assisted them with a few short trails in the area we have been "focusing" on lately. Gold Creek emerged as a short but hopefully scenic place to visit, hang and enjoy some backcountry camping in the wonderful forest alongside flowing water.

[2ply]

Thanks for sharing the adventure. Looks like everyone had a great time.

[TallPaul]

I looked yesterday & forgot to comment. Those trees in WA always amaze me.
The vertical ones looked like some nice balance beam opportunities for the kids

[Alpine Dad]

Beautiful spot. It is definitely special when you can spend time in the woods with your children. My nine-year old daughter and I went on a four-day backpacking trip in June and it was great. We did a short base camping trip and she loved it. And I appreciated the short hike in as I my pack was much heavier than usual.

Cheers

[Mumbles]

I looked yesterday & forgot to comment. Those trees in WA always amaze me.
The vertical ones looked like some nice balance beam opportunities for the kids

This area has some old, or at least second growth trees that are massive. Thankfully I travel with some 15' camo dutch straps. Generally way more strap than needed, but every now and again they are exactly what we need.

One tree there was a perfect camp site bench, nice and flat on top from years of camper's use. Another pretty good sized tree, maybe 8' in diameter, had fallen some years ago from a slope on a ridge above. It must have hit and fractured in a couple of places as it came to rest. The girls really enjoyed running and playing on that one. The Olympic National Park is truly a treasure. Some areas are classified as temperate rain forest, and one of the interesting things needed to garner that designation is that the biomass of moss exceeds the aggregate biomass of all other plant life two fold, or so I'm told. That is a LOT of moss!

Thanks all, it was great, and we are discussing where we may wish to go next.

[TallPaul]

I was wondering what length tree traps you carry.
Some of my favorite trips are in the ONP, really one of my favorite parks. Jealous you are so close.

[Mumbles]

Come for a visit! 15' have NEVER failed to work for me YET! Next time you are coming this way, don't sweat the straps. I'll loan you a set of mine! You practically drive past my place after flying into SEATAC on your way to the Olympic National Park. I can see the Hood Canal Bridge from my neighborhood.