Upper Big Quilcene Trail via Marmot Pass

WTA: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/marmot-pass-upper-big-quilcene

AllTrails:https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/upper-big-quilcene-trail-via-marmot-pass

Who: Julia, Matt, Roy, Dan, Judith, Megan

Activity: Day Hike

Time of year: early summer

Length: 11 mi. out and back

Elevation gain: 3,520 ft. 

Difficulty (our ranking): Moderate

Julia's rating: 4/5

Really beautiful, pleasant trail out to Marmot Pass on a foggy morning in the Olympics. Classic Olympic scenery - lush moss, greenery, and streams in the lower parts, before opening up to beautiful wildflowers and meadows pushing to the final viewpoint in the pass. Everyone on the trip wanted to come back to backpack here. Apparently you can continue on from Marmot Pass to places like Buckhorn mountain and beyond. The grade overall was really nice, a few slightly steep parts but nothing crazy. Overall a really nice trail - muddy after the rain, but not an issue especially as elevation was gained. It felt secluded and far away from the road and stuff which was really nice. A bit of a drive in there but worth it! Saw a few of the main backpacking camps along the way (Camp Mystery?) and noted that this one was really crowded and if we come back to backpack maybe take a pass on that one. Would like to come back when it isn't foggy to see the views on the way up, but it's telling that it was a great trail if we're speaking so highly of it even when most of the views were obscured the whole way.

Flapjack Lake via North Fork Skokomish Trail

Date: 6/13

Who: Matt, Julia, Megan, Jeff, Joe, and Jack

Length: Allegedly 13.9 miles out and back

WTA: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/flapjack-lakes

AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/flapjack-lakes-trail

Some say that this hike was life changing. Others disagree. 

Arrived the night before and camped at Big Creek campground for an early morning start. Heavily debated on whether to hike or not to hike this trail due to concerns about the mileage during dinner. After some heavy persuasions from Joe and false promises of Matt jumping in the lake at the top, we agreed to take on the challenge. 

Trail head is located at the southeast entrance of Olympic National Park. Right off the start, we were fully immersed in the lush greenery and humidity that the rain forest had to offer. The first 4 miles along the North Fork Skokomish trail were easy and relatively flat. After that, the next 2 miles on the Flapjack Lakes trail were moderately strenuous with some nice switchback and incline. The final mile to the top was relatively steep. A little bit tiring, even for experienced hikers. 

Flapjack Lakes and Mt. Cruiser

As we reached towards the top, the trail opened up to a view of Flapjack Lakes and Mt. Cruiser in the distance. There was a ranger station and plenty of camping spots near the lake. As we found out, certain spots around the lake offered a view that was way nicer to sit and rest at than others. Our group took a long break at the top and waited for Jeff and Jack to jump into the lake, which did not end up happening. It was pretty chilly at the top. On our way back to the trail, we witnessed 'one of the proudest moment of [Jack's] life' - some incredible rock skipping. 

This trail offered a taste of the Olympics with some difficulty. Not as great of a payoff as other hikes, but certainly had other features to offer. The weather was also gloomy and cold on the day we hiked it. Can definitely see this as a great lake jumping spot when the weather is warmer.