Staircase and the North Fork of the Skokomish River

High time for a hike. With the mountains still buried in snow, we headed for the Olympics, hoping to hike along the North Fork of the Skokomish River.  Only one mile to get to the trailhead and the road was closed.

OK, so we parked here and started walking

Big stream crossing the road, no wonder it was closed

We walked down through the rubble to find this wide spot to cross on the logs and boulders

The rest of the road was clear and pretty and unobstructed

But getting on the trail was ever so much better

Part of the rapids for which staircase was named

A majestic old cedar

Happy hiker

Trillium and sword ferns

Another happy hiker

The view of the river from our lunch spot

Another look at the rapids on the way back 

 

One last shot of the pretty river on the way out. 

 

Seep spring monkey flowers seen right by the car.

Stats: 
Round trip=7.5 miles
Elevation gain=300 feet
Hike/drive ratio=1

First real hike of the early season, looking forward to many more.