There is nothing like wandering around a grand, dark forest to feel in tune with nature. With towering trees above you, the gentle patter of rain, and the rush of wind, you can feel lost in the untamed wilderness from the safety of the trail. We had the fortune of escaping into the Olympic National Park to hike the Staircase Rapids trail this past weekend, a rare treat for this late in the year.
While the day was supposed to be clear and sunny, perhaps one of the last for a long while here in the Pacific Northwest, our day started in below freezing temperatures and persistent drizzle. Bundled up like true Washingtonians, we embarked on our adventure despite the weather. I hid my new Nikon camera underneath my water resistant jacket, breaking it out to capture an occasional picture.
The Staircase Rapids trail is a good, easy, trail. Phil touted the elevation gain as maybe a hundred feet or so, but with a network of trails that could gain a couple thousand. We stayed on the lower levels. The easy 4 mile loop near the rangers station crosses this imposing suspension bridge. Heading further into the interior from the bridge offers a few longer trails that you can take for easy backpacking excursions.
The trail tracks the rapids for which the trail gets it’s name. You can see how the water levels vary through the seasons. At the time we were there, the water rushed over rocks, glistening waves with white caps.
We took the trail in a somewhat clockwise manner. Before we came to the ranger’s station, we crossed a gorgeous log bridge over rushing, freezing water.
Past the bridge, the trail diverges from the river a bit and the sights become more tame. We hiked all the way to a fork in the trail but decided to turn back at that point.
Highly recommend the trail to any hikers looking for an easy or rewarding hike. The short loop is great for kids who want to get in touch with nature, but don’t have the energy to hike a mountain.
Check out a recent Youtube video I posted on our channel, A&A Backyard, about this hike!