Two-night trip with a night at Spike Camp and a night at Flapjack Lakes. We intended to also go to Gladys Divide, but conditions were a little smokier than expected and we were happy to enjoy a lazy lake day.

We arrived at Staircase late morning and the lots were full. We were directed to park on the side of the main road. There is a warning at the trailhead about a recent cougar sighting near Spike Camp.

The trail to Spike Camp was well maintained. The camp is one of the places with "99+" permits available, but there are really only about 7-8 flat tent pads. I counted about a dozen tents on Sunday morning, and I think some people were forced onto less-than-ideal surfaces. Camp has a bear wire and toilet and a good running water source about 1/8 mile down the trail.

The trail to Flapjack Lakes is, as expected, steep. There were a number of larger blowdowns and a few steep areas experiencing erosion. The last half mile is harder than it looks on paper due to the rocky trail. There is no water available between Spike Camp and Flapjack, as the Madeline Creek is inaccessible from the trail. 

At Flapjack Lakes we took an established site near the South Lake. The bear wire there has only one functioning hang, so be prepared to share, or BYO rope. The isthmus is closed to camping for restoration, but there are some sunny sitting spots along the trail. If you are heading to the group site, the creek crossing between the lakes is a little spicy, but doable without wet toes. It was also a good place to grab running water. The south lake was good for swimming and catches the most afternoon sun, but beware that somebody cleaned their fish at the closest access point to the main trail :( 

We saw a few mosquitoes and a lot of flies and bees. None of the bugs were very aggressive, just ever-present, and nobody in our party got bit badly or stung. There was a grouse family near camp, and we spotted a young black bear near the camps early Monday morning.

Blue huckleberries are out in force and made a great addition to our Monday morning flapjacks. 

Do you like to punish yourself? 
I thought you might, take this trail for an isolated experience at this pigtastic lake 🐷 the flies were terrible but “it’s the wonder of nature baby” -Dusty from the major motion picture film Twister portrayed flawlessly by the actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman RIP sweet prince 🙏 but this isn’t about Dusty from Twister, this is about Flapjack Lakes. Spend the night in order to see the mesmerizing sunset from the lake looking up towards the mountain. 
squeal on my piggy friends 🐷

-PIGSQUEALMOTHERNATURE

*Found* size 13 la sportiva shoe on Gladys divide

First four-ish miles are very easy on well maintained roads. Once you reach the Spike Camp/Flapjack junction and head towards Flapjack Lakes however, the trail becomes very steep and strenuous. There are multiple downed trees that we had to either hop over or crawl under. 

The lakes were worth it though! We camped at the left lake and had some pretty annoying mosquitoes around us but nothing that bug spray couldn't keep away. We noticed the the right lake was cleaner (less mucky) and had less bugs, so we hung out over there mostly. 

This was a long but doable day hike for me and my friend. Round trip from the parking lot, we recorded 16.6 miles. Starting out on the North Fork Skokomish River trail, the upward grade is pleasant and the trail relatively smooth, as it was once a road. At the intersection with the trail to Flapjack Lakes, one will see a large log on the left, a popular lunch spot. If one were to continue straight, Spike Camp would come into view just 300 feet down the trail. 

Turning right, one begins switchbacking up the hill. A few switchbacks later, there is access to a rushing stream to refill one’s water. Continuing upwards, the trail eventually evens out for a while as it follows the side of the hill. A handful of blowdowns need to be navigated, some smaller and easier than others. (One requires following a worn off-trail path around the giant log.)

The trail then climbs again more steeply without respite but offers some beautiful views of some small waterfalls along the way. Unfortunately for us, clouds rolled in and we began hearing thunder. After assessing the situation we continued on, alert to the storm brewing overhead. 

Just before the intersection with the trail to Black and White Lakes, there are signs of a few campsites along the stream under the large trees. From the well marked intersection, the trail climbs steeply toward the lake. At this point, it was raining lightly, wetting the trail. 

Finally, we reached the lake after 4 hours of hiking (8.3 mi), the occasional roll of thunder in our ears. The sawtooth mountains on the left were partly obscured by clouds, but still beautiful. We had a quick snack and left the lake, wanting to get to lower elevation if the storm intensified. 

Going down over the stony path required slower going than expected, but after reaching the North Fork Skokomish River Trail, we made better time and arrived at the parking lot 4 hours after leaving the lake (including breaks).