Staircase Rapids — Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

I have absolutely no idea why I ever doubt the word of my fellow trip reporters when they tell me the road to my destination hike is a hot mess. But I always find myself thinking “oh, it surely can’t be that bad.” Today, I promise myself I will just STOP doing that.

The forest service road around Lake Cushman to Staircase is much deteriorated since the last time I went. I still believe it is passable with any car, but plan to slow to a crawl to ease in and out of the unavoidable pits. There is no clear path in some stretches, and at one point yesterday there was a sizable boulder taking up one lane.

All that being said, Staircase Rapids is as lush and stimulating as any Olympic Peninsula river walk. It is a perfect distance for little kids and we saw a bunch of families with young children out in all manner of colorful raingear. Thank you grownups who know how important it is to indoctrinate youngsters into all weather walking. And get out there to view the last fall color. It really is spectacular.