Spending some time in Union so wanted to get in a hike or two. The forecast was 50% rain which we all know is just rain in the Olympics with maybe a 50% chance of a lesser amount. Staircase seemed like the best place to be today to witness water flowing everywhere. The forest road is in pretty bad shape about 75% of the way with 100’s of small diameter potholes but some are pretty deep. You can manage to cruise around them at certain places since the road is super wide. I had the road to myself today which made that easier to do in my Crosstrek. Just take it slow for most of the way. I parked at the Ranger’s Station and started the Staircase Rapid loop going clockwise. It was raining from the start and the rapids were fierce on the swollen river. There was some protection from the rain under the tree canopy which helped in addition to full rain gear and boots. There was lots of water on the trail but passable. I decided to continue a bit on the Four Stream trail which is narrow and quiet, then turned around and got back on the loop and over the suspension bridge. When I got to the other side, I went left to hike a mile or so up the North Fork trail then turned around. I admired the giant trees, boulders, ferns, rivers, streams, everything is supersized in the Park and the rains are just making it more lush. Finished the loop and got back to the car without seeing any hikers or wildlife on the trail. I was here 10 years ago in August. The trails were not as wide and there were a lot of tourists out admiring much smaller rapids. Nice to be back and so happy for the rain after a brutally dry summer.
I think I will hike Mount Rose next while out here….probably in the rain.
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