This trail is cleared and snowfree up to Big Log Camp. After that, we encountered some patches of snow and a few nasty downed trees to climb over and around on the way to Camp Pleasant. We stayed the first night there and planned to go three more miles to Nine Stream the next day. Back on the trail, we found more and more patchy snow and were glad we'd brought snowshoes. For probably the last mile before Nine Stream we strapped them on and hiked on top of 3-5 feet of melting snowpack. There is one creek crossing without a good bridge where you'll have to remove your snowshoes and hop across logs and rocks. The footlog right before Nine Stream is intact and sturdy. Having never been as far as Nine Stream before, we were very happy to see that one large campsite back in the trees was thawed out completely. It was a little tough to locate the unfamiliar trail in the snow, but it was easy to see where the previous year's downed trees had been cut out of the way. We left Nine Stream the next morning and saw two black bears on the way back down!

Gorgeous Monday to head to Staircase and hike the North Fork Skokomish trail. We encountered several downed trees, one massive tree between Slide Camp and Spike Camp. The downed tree was probably 6-7 feet in diameter. We ran into steady snow at Spike Camp (3.5 miles in) and turned around.

This was a great family hike with my folks and gal. We hiked in to Spike Camp on the N. Fork Skokomish and spen the night. A great time was had by all. It was a great joy to be able to share a backpacking trip with loved ones.

Hike 12 of my 30/300/30000 @ 30 challenge.
1. Deception Pass
2. Wallace Falls
3. Spencer Island
4. E. Fork Foss River
5. Lake Serene
6. Wallace Falls
7. Goat Lake (N. Cascades)
8. Boulder River
9. Third Beach to Toleak Point (Overnight)
10. Big Quilcene/Marmot Pass (Overnight)
11. Lake 22
12. N. Fork Skokomish

So far: 10 Hikes, 104.3 Miles, 20100' Elevation Gain

We left the trailhead at Staircase at 7:30 a.m. and headed up North Fork Skokomish River Trail to Big Log Camp and then turned onto the Black&White Lakes Way Trail for the torturous 2.3 mile, 3000ft' climb to the lakes. We saw bear sign and bear tracks along the way, but no bear!

We encountered the first heavy snow cover while still in the trees as we approached the top of the ridge. The snow continued the rest of the way up to the lakes and, in places on the open slopes near the lakes, was 5 or 6 feet deep. Needless to say, the lakes were still snow covered and just beginning to thaw.

We took advantage of the perfect weather and enjoyed an hour long lunch break on the ridge just above the lakes before heading down. Aided by a few short glissades, we descended quickly towards the Black and White Lakes Trail (#115). After a short search through the snow, we found the trail and headed down to the Flapjack Lakes Trail, encountering only minor blowdowns and a tricky stream crossing.

It's important to note that route-finding skills are necessary under these conditions, especially if you have not hiked the route before!

We reached the Flapjack Lakes Trail and started back down towards the North Fork Skokomish River Trail. The first 1/8 mile or so was snow covered, but the remainder of the trip back was easy going, thanks in part to the beautiful new bridge at Madeline Creek.

We arrived back at the trailhead at 5:30 pm: 16 miles in 10 hrs.