south coast route

In the beginning of August, we embarked upon a three-day backpacking trip on the South Coast Route in Olympic NP. It was our first backpacking trip without carrying 10+ pounds of neoprene, canyoneering gear, and ropes. I felt light as air! Thank you to our friend Iris for selecting the route and managing all the logistics and permits. Iris is working at Olympic NP this summer and is doing a lot of backpacking all over the park! We began our hike rather late in the day, due to creeping lateness and the fact that every single road in Washington is under construction this summer. By the time we set up the shuttle, it was 4:30 in the afternoon. We hiked down a lush, forested trail starting at Third Beach. Right away, I spied a clump of mushrooms growing out of the stem of a tree! I am not talking [...]