Backpacking the Enchanted Valley 2007
October 25-27, 2007
We took a couple of days off work at the end of October and hiked in 13.5 miles to the Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park. We spent two nights camping the valley, and we were joined on the second day by Brian and Hannah.
We got absolutely perfect weather, which is something of a rarity for the Olympics. But while it was sunny during the day, it was well below freezing at night. Good thing we brought plenty of down.
Eric backpacked here alone a couple of years ago. Those photos are here: Backpacking the Enchanted Valley.
The trail's first good look at the East Fork Quinault River from Pony Bridge.
Eric and a massive old growth tree.
Eric pauses in a sunlight glade, in the upper reaches of the valley.
The historical chalet, now boarded up for the season.
The Enchanted Valley itself, with Mount Anderson at the head.
When we got up the next morning, the thermometer outside the chalet read 25 degrees. Here's a look at our tent amid the frosted meadow.
Our source of drinking water from the day before was gone.
Jill gets artsy with the camera in the cold morning.
Frozen ferns.
Here's Jill as we set out for a day hike to warm up. We didn't go far -- it was only 2 miles to the world's largest-recorded western hemlock.
Anderson Glacier, which is sort of the crown jewel of the Enchanted Valley.
Back at camp, it was turning into a perfect autumn day. Eric's making soup for lunch.
Our view to the head of the valley from our campsite.
We spent a good portion of the afternoon getting blissed out by the colors of this cottonwood tree above our site.
The day was so crisp (and warm for autumn) that Jill got a little sleepy in the meadow.
Eric spent the day reading. He must be the only person who's ever gotten a sunburn in the Olympics in October.
Eric enjoys his thermarest chair and does absolutely nothing except study the high peaks.
We had to be back in Seattle for dinner, so we set out in the early morning darkness on our third day. It was light by the time we came to Pyrites Creek, where we warmed up with a hot breakfast that we prepared at a little campsite on the gravel bar.
The morning light coming through the trees was otherworldly.
It felt a little like Lord of the Rings.
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