Hiked to the Enchanted Valley this weekend, and can't believe this is my first trip to the Chalet. The trail starts at a busy parking lot overflowing with cars. This isn't always a welcoming site after driving two hours to get to the middle of somewhere, but I'm glad I continued on.
First stop, Pony Creek bridge. You'll find this is a busy place for day hikers, and if you are planning on camping keep moving. There are better campsites up at O'neil and Pyrite Creek. Both spots have some great sites. There are also some single sites along the river that won't be marked by a map.
Once past the Pony creek bridge the amount of hikers seen on the trail is cut in half. Most people from here are over night hikers, but I did run into a group that day hiked to the chalet. The trail is very pretty and as it winds with the river through the valley it is different from most forest trails I am familiar. There are wide portions of grassy fields with large old growth maple trees. You will also encounter what must be one of the largest Douglass firs, Old Growth Hemlocks, and Spruce trees.
When I reached the chalet many of the campsites were already taken. No problem there, I continued on the trail looking for some solitude, and ended up camping on a nice sandy patch of the gravel bar. I had better views of Anderson Mountain and Glacier. A herd of elk passed through my campsite in the middle of the night, and I enjoyed watching them watch me as we both ate are breakfast the next morning. What a great trip. I'm definitely making this one a three day journey next time so I can get up into the marmot lake area.
Don't forget to pick up and drop off your bear canisters at the Quinault ranger station, they are a must in the valley.
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