Short History of Layser Cave
This wasn’t our first visit to this unique archeological site, but there’s something complying about Layser Cave that keeps bringing us back. The site was discovered in 1982 by a Forest Service employee named Tim Layser, who was canvassing the area for a timber sale. When he discovered the cave, it had lain undisturbed for almost 4,000 years.
Artifacts included animal bones and stone tools, mostly arrowheads and blades made from local rocks. It was confirmed that at least 108 different deer were butchered at Layser Cave by the native people who inhabited it. More interesting was the discovery of beads made from ocean shells and arrows made from obsidian only found in Oregon — indicating trade links throughout the pre-Columbia Northwest.
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- Wild and Scenic River Project
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You never know what a simple hike through the woods will yield. Found this small dam in the hills behind our camp on Hood Canal. I'm guessing that at one time it was used by a hometead to hold water during the summer months.
Sunset over Westport.
Some of the lush green and waterfalls to be found on the Olympic Peninsula.
South shore of Dusty Lake just north of Vantage, Washington. We recently spent a night hoping for a shot of the Milky Way. That didn't happen as hoped, but we had quite the adventure nonetheless.
Just published our latest adventure - "A Visit to North Cove" - You can find the link in my bio up top. https://buff.ly/3KFAQB8
Tongue Point on the Strait of Juan de Fuco. This was a negative tide and I’ve never seen so much of the reef exposed.
Never seen the tide so low here at Crescent Bay. Getting ready for this weekends #COASST bird survey.
Theresa doing her best to imidate the North head Lighthouse.
Here's an elevated view of the massive geologic formation on the south side of our Dusty Lakes camp.
Took us a bit to get into Dusty Lake and a one point we were being chase by a thunderstorm, but the views and scenery made up for the hardships.
A rare clear evening out on Washington's coast. The Olympic National Park has miles of coastline to enjoy.
Sunset over the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center. Watch this site as we'll be heading back next week for an extended stay to explore the Ancient Lakes area. #northcentralwashington #ncw #centralwa #columbiagorgeinspiration
Squalls approaching Portage Head. Jason and I found ourselves hunkered down in a tent waiting for a bit of clearing in the morning before heading down the coast in our kayaks.
The old BNSF railroad maintenance shed. It's been torn down to make room for a golf course, but when it was standing, you could still find parts for the trains in labeled bins.
Sunset over the hills of the Columbia River Gorge near Vantage. We'll be heading back there next week...stay tuned.
Sunset over the old gravel dock near Steilacoom. This area abounds with a rich tapestry of history.
Winter Visit
As mentioned, we’ve been up here a few times although never in the winter. As we gained altitude in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest the snow started getting deeper although the roadways were clear. Once we turned off onto the double track things changed. We eventually decided to stop and hike the remainder of the way as that seemed quicker than having to recover the FJ should be hit a deep pocket of snow.
Seeing the entrance to the cave and surrounding area blanketed in snow it was much easier to imagine using the cave as shelter. There was proof found that many deer were butcher in the cave so I’m sure it would be relatively easy to fashion a deerskin door to cover the entrance with perhaps a small gap to allow smoke to escape.
Seeing the entrance to the cave and surrounding area blanketed in snow it was much easier to imagine using the cave as shelter. There was proof found that many deer were butcher in the cave so I’m sure it would be relatively easy to fashion a deerskin door to cover the entrance with perhaps a small gap to allow smoke to escape.
I’m not ready to give up the comforts of our modern basecamp, but I can see that the cave could be a welcomed and cozy shelter from the winter storms raging outside. With a cozy fire and furs spread on the floor, it’s not hard to imagine its occupants being very grateful for the find.
If you’d like to explore this spot you can find directions here.
