Backpack Olympic Hot Springs, Boulder Lake & Happy Ridge

Hiked to Boulder Creek on June 20.  I'm sure there are lots of reports about conditions going into the Olympic Hot Springs and Boulder Creek - no big issues here - minor blow downs and trail erosion around Crystal Creek.

On June 21 I hiked up toward Boulder Lake, hoping to get up onto Happy Ridge.  There were a number of blow downs on the trail - most were easy to navigate but one would be a challenge for someone shorter than my 5'6".  I encountered snow at about 4200' and it got progressively deeper as I approached the junction for Boulder Lake.  The lake is still buried under several feet of snow.  There are several places where streams are flowing under the snow, and it would be easy to post hole into the water. 

I put on microspikes near the camp and attempted to get up to Happy Ridge.  I turned around at 4700' when it became obvious that the ridge would not be snow free.  I returned to the Madison Falls TH the way I came in.

With scrambling gear (Ice axe and scrambling partners) a party could obtain the ridge.  Happy Camp is likely also buried in snow, so one would either need to camp on the snow or be ready for a long day to complete the loop back to the old Olympic Hot Springs Road.