2/21/14 The first day, I headed out from Seattle to the Olympic Pennisula and drove along the Northern border of Olympic National Park. I stopped for a great little run at Marymere Falls near Crescent Lake.
1 A few hours drive out of Seattle onto the Olympic Pennisula brings you to some gorgeous country. Here the highway starts to drop into the valley with Indian Creek draining out of Lake Crescent.
2 Down to water level at the East end of the lake.
3 The surrounding mountains have a beautiful dusting of snow from the night before. I came prepared for rain, but it didn't occur to me to expect snow. Most of the trails I was planning to visit are just above sea level. But the snow level was down as low as 500'!
4 The dock at the Storm King ranger station.
5 Heading out on the Marymere Falls trail. I get my first taste of the moss covered trees I will be seeing all weekend.
6 Crazy hanging moss everywhere.
7 Awesome water scenery along Barnes Creek.
8 I took the short offshoot to Marymere Falls and then return later for the Barnes Creek trail.
9 Marymere Falls.
10 Another view of the falls.
11 Back along Barnes Creek for some great, green, mossy scenery.
12 Great single track.
13 The creek is roaring in places.
14 Mini creeks forming along the trail.
15 You just don't get this in SoCal.
16 Some cool bridges crosssing the creeks.
17 Picteresque every step of the way.
18 The trail starts to climb out of the canyon into the forest.
19 Switchbacks climbing up the side of the canyon.
20 Eventually into the first signs of snow.
21 The snow gets fairly thick in places.
22 Cascades flowing through the ferns.
23 More snow dusted single track.
24 End of the maintained portion of the Barnes Creek trail. My turnaround point for the day.
25 Looking down the canyon from my turnaround spot.
26 Following the creek downstream now on the way back.
27 I love these bridges. It's starting to rain pretty hard at this point, and I'm struggling to keep my camera dry.
28 Almost back to the Marymere Falls trail junction.
29 Back down to the lake and the dock near Storm King Ranger station.
30 Leaving the lake. A view from the West end as the sun is getting low.
