by site editor Rick McCharles
The North Olympic Peninsula, Washington State, enjoyed some high-temperature records for early May.
Not the Vampires of Forks, Washington, of course. Instead of rain and overcast it was a blistering 88 degrees on May 5th, 2013.
My friend Diana and I drove out that day to talk to Park Rangers. The usual question:
What’s the best hike this early in the season?
First best was Lake Angeles Trail.
As promised, the trail was dry.
Moving steady, we reached the lake in 1hr 37min.
The only delay was getting lost confused on the hard packed snow just at the lake campground.
Above the lake is Klahhane Ridge where a hiker died after being gored by a 370lb mountain goat.
One day (later in the season) I’m going to get a ride to Hurricane Ridge, hike down the 9.9mi to the Lake Angeles trailhead at the Park gates.
After leaving a Summit Stone close to the lake, we dashed back down and instead drove up to Hurricane Ridge.
I was told the rest of that road would not be plowed this season. Budget cuts. 😦
We finished this fine day with a soak and dinner at Sol Duc Hot Springs, first opened 1912.
see more photos of this perfect hiking day
besthike.com 