There is a very short section of scant snow before Claire's Rock, which is at about 5 1/2 miles in where a narrow canyon empties into an ethereal, teal pool just below a rocky prominence. It was quite icy there today. Lots of water on the trail after recent rains, including two drainages to cross in the flat section as you come off Little Hump that are normally dry. The draw between the two camps at River Camp (around 2 mi.) was dry. As I hiked the first set of switchbacks, the waterfall was raging that flows down from Snack Rock, the lookout rock at the top of those switchbacks!
I'm posting this mostly as an update for future maintenance. The drainage work just before River Camp is holding up fabulously! There are 23 logs that need to be cut or cleared. The first is shortly above Snack Rock and the last is below Triangle Rock above 5 Mile Camp. All but a handful are on the far side of Lunch Rock. The trail is clear from just above 5 Mile Camp to Claire's Rock, where I turned around.
Comments
Bob and Barb on Duckabush River
It's so good to see a report from you after a VERY long time since your last one! We hope all is well with you and your family!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Dec 15, 2024 09:25 PM
Nutmeg on Duckabush River
Hearing from you always gives me warm fuzzies! <3 I hope that you and Bob are well and have lovely holidays.
I'm still out there hiking a lot but not posting so many trip reports because other reporters are posting such wonderful updates! Plus teaching kindergarten keeps me pretty busy (and happy), lol.
Posted by:
Nutmeg on Dec 17, 2024 06:12 PM
Old Dave on Duckabush River
Other than Lunch Rock, I have never heard of any of the other landmarks you name along a trail I have hiked dozens of times. I got a kick out of that. Thanks for a great report.
Posted by:
Old Dave on Dec 16, 2024 05:55 PM
Nutmeg on Duckabush River
Oh, goodness; thank you so much for posting this comment, Old Dave! I was so focused on remembering the number of logs to type that I forgot to be intelligible. 🤦🏻♀️
I hope my edits clarify some of the confusion. I realize Triangle Rock is hard for me to describe. It's a kinda triangular rock above 5-Mile Camp that used to be notable (for one reason) as one of few places on the trail where you could hit a Forest Service repeater on a radio. These days, I can send a text from Lunch Rock.
The story I heard on the moniker, "Claire's Rock", is that it's named for a horse who fell from the rock into the river but survived! (Or maybe Claire was the rider?) If anyone has first-source info. on this, I'd be intrigued to know more.
Posted by:
Nutmeg on Dec 17, 2024 06:18 PM
Old Dave on Duckabush River
Fun. I recognize the Claire's Rock spot. I have enjoyed a number of lunches and snacks there.
Posted by:
Old Dave on Dec 19, 2024 07:26 AM
Old Dave on Duckabush River
Other than Lunch Rock, I have never heard of any of the other landmarks you name along a trail I have hiked dozens of times. I got a kick out of that. Thanks for a great report.
Posted by:
Old Dave on Dec 16, 2024 05:55 PM
mato on Duckabush River
That third pic of St. Pete is a great shot! Looks very LOTR.
Posted by:
mato on Dec 17, 2024 07:14 PM
Nutmeg on Duckabush River
Thanks, mato; I love that section of trail. By, golly; it really does look like a scene from LOTR!
The ring rode heavy in a dark fold of my robe that day, luring me to slide it on and slip away ...
Posted by:
Nutmeg on Dec 20, 2024 05:35 PM
McGrubber on Duckabush River
Thanks for the report, come out and make sawdust with us next year ! If there are 23 down now, I have a hunch we will have some good cutting by next spring.
Posted by:
McGrubber on Dec 19, 2024 12:40 PM
Nutmeg on Duckabush River
Oh, you Foul Tempter. I might be able to swing a long weekend in the spring. If I can get a spot before they all fill up!
Posted by:
Nutmeg on Dec 20, 2024 05:37 PM