16 miles & 6 Tylenol

We started the day off with our usual routine, fill up with gas, check the tires and grab a breakfast. Here you can see Kiwi anxious to get on the road. Dad, why you got to fill up with energy? Us ACD's have plenty for everyone. :-)

This hike took us to Royal Lake and beyond. We started along the Dungeness River for a mile or so and then Kiwi took the right fork that leads up to Royal basin. The picture below shows Kiwi in front of Royal Creek. Some parts of the Nile are smaller than this "creek". Kiwi really does enjoy exploring the water and along the edge. As can be seen, the current is quite fast and she does treat it with caution. She'll mostly get the bottom of her belly wet, but definitely avoids the swift water. On the way down she fell about 18 inches off a bridge/log into some running water. Nothing like this picture, but enough to see her get swept about 6 feet or so before she found some footing. I was glad she had her harness on, because it was too cold for me to save her. Who am I kidding, I'd have jumped right in there. But no worries, she was fine. When she made it back on dry ground she looked at me to see how I would react to the incident. Well, I just starting hiking back down the trail. Kiwi only had time to shake herself and then catch-up. Certainly don't want to reward the falling accident with affection or else she might develop a phobia or something about bridges or logs. As it was, no harm, no foul, so dry yourself off and lets go girl.

This is a nice hike in the woods before starting the elevation ascent. The trees are spread out, the path is plenty wide, and the beautiful brown and green is enhanced with the sounds of cascading water for about an hour and a half. Very relaxing and enjoyable.
As we make our way up we pass some large trees. I don't know what type they are, Yule Gibbons I'm not, but the one in the photo below was real close to being 6 foot diameter. If Kiwi was male, I'm sure she would have marked her territory. That would have made a great shot, but, Kiwi has her trail manners and acted in a respectable manner. Mostly..... :-) As I type this, she is softly barking while she is napping. Too funny. Ooop, just woke herself up. snicker


Well about six plus miles into the hike we made it to the lower basin. There are some streams coming from the Lake and a few campsites. Actually a decent place to pitch a tent. Relatively open area, running water nearby and good views. After the lower basin, Kiwi lead the way up through more elevation passing mostly that green and brown stuff. You level out, follow the winding trail and emerge at Royal Lake below. I remember passing one couple returning from their trip and asking how much further. Well they said about 15 minutes. I must have not heard the "one hour" before they said 15 minutes. It took a while, huffed and puffed some, but make it we did to Royal Lake.


There is a trail that circles the lake with campsites plainly marked. Certain times of the year, the park service requires that these campsites be reserved. The picture below is from one of the campsites. If one is staying overnight, the lower basin had fewer mosquitos than the lake.
Taking the lake trail and branching off to the right fork will take you to the upper basin and some other campsites, some of which are "private". The signs did say "private" but I was at a loss to understand. There were some "group" sites also. Larger areas that for more people. Saw several bear buckets in use at some of the campsites. Safer to put your food in a tough container in a high location between trees, so bears can't get your goodies. The photo below shows a nice green hue to Royal Lake. Plenty of pretty colors in the Olympics. Now Kiwi just curled up next to me and is dozing. And sharing some flatulence. Yep, even dogs. ;-)


This shot shows part of the upper basin. A pretty decent size valley where we heard a bald eagle make a piercing cry. That was the highlight of the hike for me. At the same time I kept a look out for airborne animals as Kiwi could be on the eagle's menu. Most likely the many marmot holes we saw were the providers of many an eagle meal.

Off to the left of the picture above was a roughly 25 foot waterfall from the surrounding snow melt that started the stream that wound thru the valley. Above photo, just left of center you can make out a small scree field that is shown later. Below you can see the valley from the other end. The trail we followed brought us along the right side.


Here is the scree field that we crossed. If clicked, it will open up to a bigger size and you can see another hiker coming our way. Notice that there is not much of a path. Had to be careful, while envying Kiwi's low to the ground, four paw drive.

Pass the scree field, Kiwi takes time out to cool off in the snow. We are around 5,400 foot elevation at this point. Beautiful blue sky, no pollution, no sounds but those of nature and the whole outdoors to ourselves.

Just over the ridge behind Kiwi, we explored during lunch and found a "pond" of snow melt. Real nice and clear. Giving good, smooth reflections of the surrounding peaks till Kiwi put on her pith helmet and explored the waters edge. Yes, it was clear and cold. Couldn;t been more than 3-4 feet in depth.

Believe it or not it was at this time that the camera's memory card became full. Too much video on a high setting. No problem though, plenty of pictures. However, we did not get any snapshots of the marmot that were living in the rock strewn area surrounding the snow melt pond. Below is a shot of a pika that was occupying the surround rocks of the upper basin.

After this it was just eight miles back to the trailhead. The Tylenol helped. Took two when starting the hike, two more at lunch befors starting our return and the final two upon reaching the car. LOL The return trip was made in a little over 2 hours, thankfully downhill. ;-)

I was impressed with Kiwi again, as she rested a little on the way back home, but was up and being an true cattle dog, with tail wagging and mouthy loving, while I searched in vain for some Rum to introduce to a coke.