Little Quilcene River to Mt. Townsend - Buckhorn Wilderness

Hiked: June 20, 2021

Happy Father's Day! It has become a tradition for me to take my parents hiking on their respective celebratory days, and it is one of the things I treasure most each year.

Import Note before I get into the rest of this report: at the very top, we came across a Horned Lark chick separated from its parents in the middle of the trail. Please keep dogs on leash and watch where you step because these ground-nesting birds are quite vulnerable. We got off the path and allowed the chick space so the parents could come back to it. They blend in very well to the ground, so just be aware and respectful. Many species of birds will leave a chick to distract a predator away from their baby, so giving space allows the parents to return. More about them here: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/horned-lark#

We arrived at the Little Quilcene Trailhead at around 9:30am and there were still a few parking spots open. The trail was in very good condition all the way, with tiny patches of passable snow higher up. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the blueberries were just starting to develop berries (but aren't ripe yet).

Breaks in the trees allowed for incredibly clear mountain views throughout the hike, and once we reached the top we could see everything—360-degree views from Vancouver Island down to Mount Adams. The Olympics were stunning, and to the East we could see all the waterways and islands, even the skyscrapers in Seattle.

One person was flying a drone at the top which was incredibly annoying. Flying drones in wilderness areas and in national parks is illegal. I wish people would be respectful of others trying to enjoy the serenity at the top of the mountain, without the horribly persistent buzzing of someone else's drone. If you have a drone, please keep this in mind…

The descent was a bit slippery due to the dry, loose soil and rocks near the top. Just be aware of this on the way down. Bring poles if you want help keeping your balance. There were many steep slopes on this trail where poles would have been nice, but I usually only use poles when I'm backpacking.

I was happy to see how well kept and clean this trail was. People seem to be picking up after themselves and not cutting corners on the switchbacks. Overall, this was the perfect way to spend Father's Day with my family.