Backpack - Enchanted Valley

Graves Creek Trailhead, 10 AM, May 17, 2024.

Directions per WTA:

From Hoquiam, drive north on Hwy 101 for 35 miles and, one mile south of Amanda Park, turn east onto South Shore Road. Drive along Amanda Park for about 13.5 miles, then arrive at a junction at the Quinault River Bridge. Continue right, proceeding about six miles to the road's end and the trailhead.

Google link to trailhead

On day 1, we will hike about 9.5 miles to camp at Pyrites Creek with about 2,100 feet of climbing.  

On day 2, we will leave our overnight gear and hike to Enchanted Valley and beyond, perhaps to the world’s largest Western Hemlock tree (though we may get turned around earlier by a possibly difficult creek-crossing).  If we hike all the way to the giant tree, we will hike about 11 miles and climb about 1,300 feet (roundtrip).  

On day 3, we will pack up camp and hike back to our cars from Pyrites Creek, about 9.5 miles climbing about 1,200 feet. 

Caltopo link to route.

I expect overnight low temperatures to be in the 40s.  You should check the current weather here before departure.  The trip is subject to change or cancellation if the predicted weather is unusually poor.

Full COVID-19 vaccination and booster are required.

Permit fees:  The Wilderness Camping Permit will cost $17 per person.  Once you register for the trip, you need to send this amount to the leader within 3 days to hold your place.  If you are on the waitlist, send this amount within 3 days only if this changes so you are no longer on the waitlist.  Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle are preferred.  If you have an Olympic National Park Annual Wilderness Pass, you need to only send $1 and your Pass number. 

EV access:  Depending on the electric car, the trailhead will be accessible by an EV.  Aberdeen, Washington, which is 122 roundtrip miles from the trailhead, has high-speed chargers.  

Leader Permission:  Leader permission is required, which you can obtain by sending an email to the leader.  When you request leader permission, please accompany your request with the answers to the questions available at this link.  You can download these questions, type in your responses below each question, save and email to me;  or copy and paste into an email and put your responses there.

Gear notes:

1. Bear canisters are not required, because the Pyrites campsite has bear wires.  You need to bring a durable bag to hang from the bear wire, such as an Ursack.

2. You should bring some method of water purification.

3. Bugs are certainly possible; bring bug repellant.

4.  Since this is a Washington rainforest trip, rain should be expected, and you should bring a raincoat, rain pants, and pack cover and clothes that will keep you warm when wet (no cotton!).