Big Creek — Sunday, Sep. 16, 2012

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

A few updates on the Big Creek trail (otherwise same as other recent reports): One log across trail, easily negotiated, at about 1.5 miles going counter-clockwise. I’m making up that mileage (so Dave can tease me later when Mt. Rose crew fixes this). Needs a pry bar or burly worker (not me!). Reports of “angry bees” between the two bridges before Skinwood Creek from hikers going clockwise who had stings to themselves and dogs made us opt for the confluence detour. We did not see any bees, so using the confluence trail may be the way to avoid them, and a heads up as to what section of trail they’re on. The Ellinor trail is closed due to aggressive goats (maybe we could sic the bees on the goats?), but you can still hike up the extra mile (and about doubles the gain so a better workout) to the viewpoint. However, the trees have grown quite a bit and obscure a lot of the view that used to be had, at least from the viewpoint at 1 mile from the junction with Ellinor connector. Please post correction if we were at the wrong viewpoint!