From the junction at the North Fork Skokomish River Trail up towards Flapjack Lakes, the trail switchbacks up to the steel bridge crossing at Madeline Creek, and the trail was in pretty good repair. The downhill edge of the trail is beginning to creep in some places. Beyond Madeline Creek, the trail turns steeper and rutted, which causes water to run down the trail making the tread very rocky. We passed through an area where the trees are more spaced out and filled with ripening huckleberries (I think, not an expert on PNW edible plants yet).
By the time we started to hear Donahue Creek, the trail became noticeably steeper and the tread narrower. It looks like the use of trekking poles has weakened the downhill edge of the trail so that it creeps. After the trail actually meets Donahue Creek, the trail begins switching back and forth, becomes very loose and rocky. Following the trail beyond, we passed into a very nice level glade with large trees where the trail to White and Black Lakes splits off. We saw evidence that people had camped here instead of continuing to either the Flapjack Lakes or White and Black Lakes.
Uphill from the trail sign, the trail meanders up a very steep, tight draw. We encountered 3 or 4 trees down across the trail that we had to crawl under. The trail continues upward until, suddenly, a sign for a vault toilet appears and we've arrived at Flapjack Lakes. Our first view was encouraging, but the full scope couldn't be seen until we got to the West side of the lower lake. From there, we could see the bare ridge above and both lakes. The view in the late evening is spectacular, with the rocks glowing orange. During the day, the color of the clear waters gradates from light green to deep blue due to the depth in a beautiful range of colors.
We found the best views of the ridge from the West side of the lakes. The best campsites, however, seemed to be those on the East side of the upper lake. They were more spacious, but were also in shadow until late morning. Mosquitoes and flies were bothersome, bug spray was a big benefit when the breeze died down.
I brought a fly rod and caught some Brook and Cutthroat Trout. The shore is a bit too wooded for good fly-fishing in most places unless you want to roll-cast or bring in a float tube. Spin casting seems the way to go as most of the larger fish seemed to stay in the deep spots not easily accessible by fly rod. However, there are a few points in the lower lake that do allow for a good back cast with a fly rod.
All in all, it was worth the tough trail to see the lakes.
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