Olympics Hang

[OldMan]

My buddy and I, along with maybe a third, are planning on spending the night at the Elkhorn campground on the Dosewallips river on the east side of the Olympics. We will be going in on Friday, April 23rd, and coming back out the next day. If anyone else is interested, you are welcome to join us. All 3 of us are new to the hammock gig and are just trying a short shake-down trip before the longer trips of summer.

Elkhorn used to be a front country drive-in camp. But the Dose had other plans and took out a big chuck of road about a mile below Elkhorn a few years back. The US Forest Service is still talking about a repair, but in the meantime the campground has converted into a walk-in. Further compounding the problem, a tributary stream tried to wash out the road about another 1 1/2 miles further down. A month ago we were able to get a big truck across the stream crossing the road, but no guarantees now. We have had more rain in the past month (big surprise). All this is to say that there will be anywhere from a mile to 2 1/2 mile trek into the camp.

Elkhorn is a large campground (about 20 or so sites) situated on the river and has a lot of good looking hanging spots. We ran through there a month ago to check it out. Because of the time of year, I would not expect anyone else to be there. Again, if you are interested, come join us.

[riverkeeper]

That camp has frequent cougar visits and a close call with a 8 yr old boy last year ... just in case kids go with you.

Don't worry about it much otherwise as I am sure you know what to do.

[thomas533]

I'd love to go but I can't get Friday off work...

[OldMan]

That camp has frequent cougar visits and a close call with a 8 yr old boy last year ... just in case kids go with you.

Don't worry about it much otherwise as I am sure you know what to do.

Good to know. I have encountered one cougar some years back on the Duck. One of the highlights of my time in the Olympics. Don't know about my buddies friend, but we are both 6 footers (plus) and indeed are well aware of how to deal with the kitty cats.

Last month when we were there we followed the tracks of a couple of bears in the snow on the road coming out of the campground and heading on up the road. Felt kind of funny running up the road in the same direction as the prints, although they were frozen and appeared to have been from much earlier.

[OldMan]

I'd love to go but I can't get Friday off work...

I realize that Saturday night would be better for most, but my buddy and I are both involved in our church and try to minimize Sundays away. Already have several scheduled in the coming months and didn't want to add another.