100/100/100: Day 2 – Murhut Falls, Olympic National Park

Murhut Falls

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One of my favorite aspects of Olympic National Park in western Washington is the mystery of it, the inaccessibility of its treasures when compared to many National Parks.  There are only a few short access roads into the park, and most of the area is only visible via overnight backpacking trip.  It calls for exploration and encourages wandering more than any other park I know.

I came across Murhut Falls while wandering along old fire roads, picking up trails as I come across them.  It’s a highlight of the Eastern Olympics, a towering 200′ waterfall hidden away in the old growth forest, and is just one of many examples of the secrets this enchanting wilderness has to offer.

Bordeaux Ghost Town

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I find that it’s often the greatest explorations that happen on the spur of the moment, without preplanning or research.  Simply getting into the car or stepping out onto the trail without knowing what you’re going to find can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.  Often, I forget the simple joy of these unplanned wanderings, the emotional high that I can get just from setting out and driving through the woods, looking for something interesting.

A Walk in the (Jefferson) Park

In September of 2015, I found my days on the Pacific Crest Trail winding to a close.  I’d spent the previous two and a half months picking up the pieces of what was supposed to be a continuous 2663 mile hike from Mexico to Canada, but was derailed by a stress fracture after less than a quarter of that.  After recovering from my injury, I pushed to return to the trail, at first attempting a southbound hike from the Canadian border, then settling on a more piecemeal approach, targeting specific sections of the Trail that I’d wanted to see, but didn’t get the chance to.

A Taste of the Trinity Alps

Trinity Alps

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In recently relocating to the Pacific Northwest, I find myself looking at new places for future explorations and wanderings.  I’ve spent a lot of time hiking the Olympics and Cascades in Washington and love them, have an insatiable desire to really explore the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood area, and know for a fact I need to spend like a week around Mt. Jefferson.  Above all of these places however, is the intrigue of the Trinity Alps in Northern California.