Pete's Creek - Colonel Bob Peak — Saturday, Jul. 14, 2012

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

A wonderful hike to an unobstructed panorama of the western Olympics. There were a few obstacles to contend with, including blowdowns and especially snow in Moonshine Flats and a stream crossing there using "veggie belay", but this hike was well worth it. Orange tape was helpful in finding the way from Moonshine to the summit; so was a good USGS map. Thanks to a lone hiker we met for marking the confusing parts with tape near the ridgeline. Judging from the USGS map, the total gain on this hike is close to 3600', not the 3300' reported in the Guide. Look for two huge old Silver Firs flanking the trail at about 3500', the largest I've seen. Some of the lower sections of the trail could use a pruning, but it wasn't bad. Colonel Bob is a classic!