With the PNW summer finally setting in after a long, wet winter, Kate and I took our first backpacking trip of the year together up to Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park.
The trail to Enchanted Valley is one of the many old growth river walks in the park with some of the biggest trees of their species on earth. It is in the heart of the temperate rain forest and verdant green after the winter rains.
It was a warm hike and many people were out to enjoy this popular area.
There are many truely enormous and tall trees that are astounding to take in.
We arrived at the spectacular Enchanted Valley and scored a prime campsite right next to the river with views of the waterfalls on the other side. Turns out some people had just left the site and we got there at just the right time. We passed a few people shortly before getting there, and we pushed hard to get there early to get a decent spot.
The famous chalet was built almost 100 years ago with materials packed in the 13+ miles on horse. It was sold to the park shortly after it was formed. It almost fell into the river a few years ago but was moved back from the edge to be saved. It’s future is uncertain though.
The next day we headed back, retracing our steps on this out and back trail.
28.6 miles