Originally, Dawn had reserved sites higher in the mountain for our five-day hike, but Park Rangers recommended we not try it since there was still six feet of snow in places. Still, Enchanted Valley is part of Olympic National Park, so mountains are definitely an important part of the hiking experience.
This chalet, now used as a ranger station and emergency shelter, guards the entrance to the valley
with clouded cliffs and waterfalls serving as a backdrop.
Even though we didn’t see a bit of rain in our five days there, at times it seemed like we were living in the clouds,
which certainly explains why everything is so green.
Though lined with forests, it’s obvious that the Quinault River is still a major player here,
fed by unseen mountains and melting snow fields even now.
We day hiked another 6 miles up the valley, knowing our way was ultimately blocked by distant, snow-covered mountains fading into the clouds.
Although we were going to try to walk to a damaged footbridge, Pahtah (that’s me) decided after running into one too many washouts that he had better save some energy for the two days it would take to walk out.
Wow! This is an enchanted place.
Beautiful series of photos, Loren.
What an exquisite place to stay Loren. I suspect there were not too many birds there for you to photograph, but the scenery is magnificent.
Actually there were probably more elk than birds.
The real problem was that the little camera I was carrying didn’t start up and focus as quickly as the heavy cameras I usually carry.
If I were going to carry my usual equipment on a hike like this I would have to take Lamas or horses with me.
I had no idea there was such a place, but now I want to visit it. It’s so beautiful!