Flapjack Lakes via North Fork Skokomish River — Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Well i decided i'd dreamt of Flapjack Lakes for long enough, and wanted to attempt a solo day hike in there. I hit the trail at 9am and set a pretty good pace for myself. 2 massive trees have blown down across the N Fork Skokomish River Trail a couple miles from the TH. I got to the junction for Flapjack Lakes by 10:20am. I was flyin and didn't see another soul. What beautiful country and great scenery i had though. There were a couple blow downs heading up to Flapjacks on this trail as well, but they were easily navigated. By 11:10 i hit Madeline Creek. Shortly afterwords i saw my first and only people, a couple that were turning back. I tried to tell them they were close but they had hit their turnaround and had to head back. They would prove to be the last people i would see until i got back down on the N Fork Skok Trail. Fine with me! I continued up, and up and up, and ended up hitting Donahue Creek ravine a little after noon. I was tired but determined. I headed up the last half mile of trail and finally hit flapjacks about 12:45pm. It was incredibly quiet... so peaceful. So scenic. Just amazing and worth every second on the trail. Made me wish i would have brought overnight gear and/or had time to explore. But alas i had to head back and be home by 6, so back down i went. It was a grueling 7.5 miles back to the TH, i will say that. But i escaped with sore feet, yet no blisters (shameless plug: thanks Superfeet) and a great attitude because of what i'd just done. Made it back to the car one foot in front of the other by 4pm. It was a great solo day adventure.