Boulder River

Blissman and I needed an easy trip for Whitey's first hike, and it wasn't likely to be a day of fantastic views anyway, so it seemed like a good day to do this valley bottom hike. I hadn't done it for quite some time and found it to be quite enjoyable focusing on the "close in" things instead of distant peaks from some summit.....our usual destination. The beginning mile is quite nice, but after that the trail becomes a mud fest. A little drainage work would do wonders, but it doesn't seem that this trail has had any meaningful tread work in a long while. Still, the ferns, mosses, and huge trees were wonderful. Who needs the Hoh? I especially enjoyed the lovely Maidenhair fern grottos at the beginning of the hike. We founds lots blooming forest flowers including Star Flower, Foam Flowers, Bleeding Hearts, Canadian Dogwood, and many more. The waterfalls were nice, but not at their peak although the river is running pretty high at the ford. Whitey did fine for his first hike, although he was looking more like a "Brownie" by the end with his long, poodle hair turned to dirty dreadlocks. We stopped at the Mirkwood in Arlington for a bite and a beer. It's a great vegan restaurant with a fine assortment of beer and a goth atmosphere. The restaurant includes a tatoo and piercing parlor for a well rounded after-hike experience!