Lower Big Quilcene River — Olympic Peninsula

Date Hiked: October 26

Vine maples changing to fall colors

I love fall hiking.... No crowds, plenty of parking even when you leave the house late, and no bugs! This day hike had all three, and more. We arrived at the trailhead around 11am. There were only three other cars in the parking lot, and the privy was clean and stocked with toilet paper (yay)!

The trail was in stunning condition. The last few days of rain have eliminated any dust, and the fall colors glowed against the saturated deep greens of the moss and evergreen trees. This trail passes multiple streams and trickling waterfalls, and the three bridges we crossed were also in great shape.

Honey Mushrooms (above)

This weather is perfect for those fascinated with fungi! We saw so many varieties, many I still need to identify. Because this is the National Forest, harvesting is allowed, but beware of most mushrooms. Many varieties have poisonous twins that could cause severe illness or death. We stick to the more obvious varieties like Chanterelles and Oysters.

Indian Pipe, or "The Ghost Flower"

Fungi & lichen I have yet to identify. If you know them, comment below!

We enjoyed our lunch next to the river at Bark Shanty Camp. To our surprise, someone on a motorized dirt bike rode into camp and stank up the place, both with noise and exhaust. I am pretty sure motorized vehicles are not allowed on these trails, though mountain bikes and horses are.

The logs were slippery, but served as a great seat.

We hiked about a mile past Bark Shanty Camp before turning around; we were not sure how quickly it would get dark now that fall is here. Round trip we hiked about 6.6 miles and got back to our car around 3:30pm. What a perfect way to spend my Wednesday off!

Mom counting rings of the fallen Douglas Fir