Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course
Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Enchanted Valley
This field trip will give B3 students the opportunity to try out gear and new skills on an easy overnight backpack with an experienced mentor.
- Sun, Jun 27, 2021 — Wed, Jun 30, 2021
- Foothills Backpacking Committee
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Easy
- Moderate
- Mileage: 26.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft
- 1 (6 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
We will meet at the Quinault Wilderness Information Center at 9:00am
Quinault Wilderness Information Office - Google Maps
Here there are bear canisters for loan if you do not have your own (highly encouraged). Note: Bear canisters are REQUIRED in this area.
From here we will caravan the 17 miles to the trailhead at Graves Creek
Graves Creek Trailhead - Google Maps
To park within the Olympic National Park you will need a National Park Pass or Interagency Pass
This is a relatively easy, but long, 3 night backpacking trip for B3 students. We will travel at an easy/moderate pace of 1.5 - 2 miles/hour and follow the East Fork of the Quinault River Trail from Graves Creek Trailhead to Enchanted Valley through one of the three major temperate rain forest valleys in Olympic National Park. Pristine old growth forest, wildflower meadows, American black bears, Roosevelt Elk, and a spectacular end destination are the highlights.
Here is the trip plan on Gaia
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/QHyJtnmVslH82GFpzxttJ69r
Day 1: From Grave's Creek Trailhead to O'Neil Creek 6.4 mi/2,350 '
Day 2: From O'Neil Creek to Enchanted Valley 6.1 mi/1875'
Day 3: From Enchanted Valley to O'Neil Creek 6 mi/1282'
Day 4: From O'Neil Creek to Grave's Creek trailhead 6.4 mi/1852'
Participants are responsible to pay leader the permit (24$)/reservation fee (1$) = $25 each within 2 weeks of registering for the trip. Fee is non-refundable on cancelation unless your spot can be filled prior to the trip.
Since this is an early season hike, is it highly recommended that participants try out their gear prior to this trip and feel able to backpack for 6+ miles/day for several days in a row. We will be hiking in June in the rainforest, so RAIN is a strong possibility.
Check out current weather conditions: 7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.47°N and Longitude 123.87°W (Elev. 348 ft) (weather.gov)
This hike will follow the Mountaineers hiking guidelines for COVID-19 that apply on the date of this trip.
All participants will be required to have a face covering ready to pull up at the trailhead, and will be asked to be familiar with and follow the Mountaineers Covid-19 guidelines for trip.
Enchanted Valley
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Green Trails Mt Christie No. 166
Green Trails Mt Steel No. 167
Trails Illustrated Olympic National Park
Custom Correct Quinault-Colonel Bob
Custom Correct Enchanted Valley - Skokomish
Custom Correct Brothers - Mt Anderson - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
The Ten Essentials, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader