Hoh River
May 11, 1998
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Hoh River-Five Mile Island
- Region: Olympics -- West
- Agency: Olympic National Park
- Trails: Hoh River (#15)
- Avg Rating: 3.31
I spent Saturday, May 8 through
Tuesday May 12 on the Hoh river trail. Camped at the Olympus Guard Station (ranger station) Saturday and Sunday. Trail in good condition. Didn't run into many people. There were only two other campers at the ranger station. The hike to the ranger station is very pleasant. The meadows are in good shape and the flowers are beginning to bloom. Second day without rain. The meadow at the ranger station is full of deer. Sunday evening and Monday morning I counted at least nine. Spoke with four hikers who reported a mother bear with cub in the Elk Lake area. Monday morning hiked to Elk Lake. It had rained overnight but was dry again Monday. About 2/3 of the way from the foot bridge to Elk Lake but before Martin Falls I ran across the mother bear and single cub. They were below the trail from me. The cub peaked at me from around a tree it had scaled. I made my way around them and continued on. It was cold at the Lake and I was glad I had brought my gloves and hat. On the way back from the Lake I rounded the trail and approximately 100 feet in front of me on the trail were the mother bear and cub. She looked at me and decided to continue straight into the forest rather than up the trail. She didn't seem that concerned about me. The cub, however, was very curious and stood up on its hind legs to look at me over Mom's shoulder. Monday night back at the ranger station was filled with more deer but no elk. Plenty of sunshine Tuesday as I made my way back to the trailhead at the Hoh Rain Forest Vistors Center. The meadow at File Mile Island was absolutely beautiful and I decided to eat my lunch there. Overall the trail is in good shape, the nights were mild from the ranger station and below and cooler at Elk Lake. No insect problem. I saw very few hikers (none at all on my way to and from Elk Lake). The only way to see this trail is during the week!
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