National Forest Road 52
With two weeks supporting the AVO (Alaska Volcano Observatory) team in Alaska just around the corner, Theresa and I were hoping to get away and do a bit of camping away from the crowded State Parks. A quick glance at the Hipcamp page and I found this great camp just outside of the Mt. Rainier National Park. Wilderness Path fit the bill, but what I wasn’t expecting was the gem of NF52.
NF-52 is a National Forest Service road that connects Ashford and Packwood. I was surprised by the many dispersed campsites along the road. Most had access to Skate Creek which parallels the road and despite it being a summer weekend many were available on a Saturday morning.
If you decide to explore this area, and you should, just be aware that it is a seasonal road which is closed in the winter. You can read any closures and alerts here.
High Rock Lookout
By far the highlight of the trip was visiting the High Rock Lookout. Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular lookouts in America, High Rock is in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest just south of Mt. Rainier National Park. The 14′ x 14′ gable roof L-4 ground house with catwalk was built in 1929 and staffed the same year it’s last officially sanctioned use was in 2003 when Lawrence “Bud” Panco “retired” after 17 seasons serving as the volunteer fire observer at High Rock. It is perched on the edge of a 1200′ sheer cliff. The historic site is carefully maintained by the Forest Service and is reached by a 1.6-mile trail which is usually free of snow by July 1.
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One of the best things about volunteering for citizen-science projects is the opportunity to spend time in some truly breathtaking places. And with fall just around the corner, it's an especially beautiful time to be outdoors. There's nothing quite like watching the leaves change colors and feeling that fresh autumn breeze on your face. It's a great way to connect with nature and make a difference at the same time.
Our only tide window to conduct this month’s #COASST bird survey was just before sunset. Not only did we have the beach to ourselves, but we were rewarded with this view when we rounded the point. Had to pause the survey and just enjoy the view and tranquility.
We're spending the weekend exploring the 'Great Bend' of Hood Canal. We found a nice private campground to base out of. This is just one of the many views to be found on North Shore Drive.
Taking a brief pause to appreciate the beautiful sunset on the Long Beach Peninsula.
I recently went hiking in the Olympic Peninsula forests and stumbled upon this beautiful waterfall. It was such a serene and peaceful spot, and I felt so lucky to have found it. There are so many hidden gems to discover when exploring the great outdoors!
With the hot weather we've endured, I'm looking forward to Fall and the dramatic weather. Here's a sunset over North Head Lighthouse.
After a short hike along Murhut Creek, which originates from a narrow basin on the south side of the lower Duckabush River valley, we arrived at the lower half of Murhut Falls. The falls consist of two sections with a combined height of 153 feet, although only the lower half was visible from our vantage point.
I haven't had the opportunity to take a stroll around Waughop Lake lately, yet I couldn't help but notice the abundant greenery that now adorns the trails.
During our recent camping trip on the Washington coast with friends, we took a bike ride to Cape Disappointment State Park. We came across the Northhead Lighthouse, but unfortunately, it was closed at the time due to an ongoing cliff rescue operation.
Spent an incredible day immersed in nature's wonders with my adventurous partner, Theresa! 🌿🌈 We hiked along the majestic Chehalis River, mesmerized by its crystal-clear waters and lush surroundings. And then, we stumbled upon the magnificent Rainbow Falls waterfall, its cascading waters painting the landscape with vibrant colors! 🏞️💦 Moments like these remind us of the pure magic that awaits when we embrace the great outdoors.
Looking forward to this sunny weekend getaway at Rainbow Falls State Park Exploring the stunning beauty of nature and immersing ourselves in the serenity of the namesake waterfall.
On a sunny day at the beach, the four of us enjoyed riding our bikes along the shoreline, feeling the sun's warmth on our skin. We laughed and chatted as we pedaled, the refreshing sea breeze accompanying us. Eventually, we reached the breathtaking Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, where we paused to take in the stunning view of the sparkling ocean and rugged cliffs. It was a perfect moment of friendship and natural beauty.
I had to stay close to home this weekend, but the Lakewood Summerfest was fun. Hot air balloons lit the venue.
We recently adopted a new #COASST beach for our beaches bird surveys. You can find more articles and photographs in the link above. #YourShotPhotographer #conquernorthwest #nextstop24traveler
A trail leading through the coastal forest on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Read the latest article about our new #COASST beach. Link in the description.
Looking at the turnaround point to our new survey beach, which lies just to the west of Murdock Beach.
Back when the lookout was constructed folks had to hike over 10 miles to reach this jagged summit. But over the decades’ roads were punched closer to this peak for timber extraction. The days of the big cut are over in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the Sawtooth Ridge still retains some healthy stands of old-growth forest. But what hikers are most drawn to when they visit High Rock are its far-reaching and unsurpassed views.
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Surprisingly, during our visit not only did we have clear skies to take in the view, but the wind was dead calm. I can’t imagine that happens many days out of the year! We certainly took advantage of it and extended our stay for much of the afternoon. No matter which direction we turned to look there was some incredible view to greet us. With such grand views, our lunch tasted all the better.
If time and commitments permit we’ll be back soon.
