This morning I walked the Staircase Loop-North Skokomish Trail from the trailhead to the 3.6 mile mark, the junction to Flapjack Lake. The road in was in excellent condition. It must have been graded in just the last few weeks. The trail was also in GREAT condition. Thank you to the volunteers who have kept it clear of fallen trees and brush.
I arrived at the parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Mine was the 11th car in the parking lot. At the trailhead there are 2 pit toilets. Both were stocked with TP. On the outward bound leg I saw no other hikers, which is a little strange on this path.
At the Flapjack Fork, after a short break to eat a sandwich, I headed back down the trail. I saw 6 hikers on the North Skokomish Trail and 75 people between the suspension bridge and the parking lot. As always, I walked the south side of the Staircase Loop twice, and I recommend this to everyone. The south side of the Loop is MUCH nicer than the north side. The parking lot was completely full when I returned at 11:20 a.m.
It was about 5 degrees warmer when I arrived at the Staircase Ranger Station than at Hoodsport; usually it’s the other way around. It was 55 degrees when I started walking, and 59 degrees when I got back to my car. The weather accuracy was not good. It was predicted to be partly sunny, and 5 or 10 degrees warmer. I walked through a very light mist the whole morning. Because the humidity was so high, my t-shirt was soaked when I was done.
Along the way I saw a big forest toad or frog, as big as my fist and colored just like the trees. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my camera out quick enough to get a picture. I also saw one huge beetle. I didn’t see any trash on the trail. I did see 3 dogs, which are not permitted on this trail. Some people are special; the dogs are not to be blamed.
It was a good 7.2 or 7.5 mile hike. It’s the best my damaged foot has felt in a year-and-a-half. On the way home I stopped at Brinnon’s Halfway House Restaurant. The tuna melt and salad were tasty and at a nice price.
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