NW Part 2 (with Dan)

Monday, July 22

After dropping Mom off at the airport, Dan and I headed for a ferry boat that took us to Southworth. From there, we drove to Olympic National Park. It was sunny and clear all afternoon. We drove up Hurricane Ridge to a dirt road to Obstruction Point. Unfortunately, the road was gated off halfway to the point because a park ranger was re-grading it. So, our hike began at the gate. The views were unbelievable. The flowers were extraordinary. We even saw Washington marmots! We hiked about 4 miles up to Obstruction Point (still don't know what was obstructed about it, because you could see forever!) and started on the actual trail we had wanted to begin on. It was already late and the shadows were making it cool up at 6150'. We got to a large snowfield and decided to turn back. After 3.5 hours of hiking we made it back to the car and then had dinner at a great Italian restaurant in Port Angeles. We continued to drive to Forks, where there was no room in the inn--any of them. Dan found a great place south of town that had a room for us---and 6 of our friends---that was available.

Abridged version of rest of trip...

Tuesday:
Left forks, ran on Ruby Beach, saw starfish!! Saw big tree, walked rainforest nature trail. Started driving towards Wenatchee (got a little lost in Tacoma). Got awesome fresh fruit. Dinner @ McGlinn's with Matt and Kerry. Drove to canyon south of Ellensburg to camp. Slept right along the river.

Wednesday:
Drove to Rainier NP. Ran 11 miles and 3600' from east entrance, to 2nd Burrough, then Glacier Basin Junction, spur to glacier view and back. Saw bear! Drove to Hermiston, OR. Dinner at sports bar.

Thursday:
Oregon Trail, lots of driving. Camped just outside Sun Valley, ID. Dinner at local Mexican place.

Friday:
Sun Valley awesome run! 1:30 & 4 mi up to cabin, 1:40 and 4.5 mi back to TR. Lunch in Ketchum. Craters of the Moon-some hiking around. Up big black hill and to view large craters. Drove to Jackson Hole. Dinner at Thai place.

Saturday:
Grand Teton NP. Hiked past Amphitheater Lake to start of 3rd class scramble up Disappointment Peak. 3:48, 11.5 mi 3300'. Car overheated in middle of "grizzly country." After it cooled, we managed to get to Laramie, WY. Then it overheated again. Cooled once more and drove home. Yay Boulder!