You didn't think I flew all the way out west and didn't do any of my usual stupidly unprepared, underskilled, overmatched, ill-advised, insane jaunts? Of course I did! Here is the story of one of them!

Having tapered for the whole conference thing, and not run my first day out there, I was itching for a run. Driving around the Hoh Rainforest, I checked out some of their trails. I had picked out the Hoh River Trail, a climb out of the rainforest along the steep-walled valley to a point about the treeline near Mt. Olympus. This run would take me from rainforest to glacial areas. Unfortunately, it was also about 36 miles and a seemed bit crowded. So I began to look for viable alternatives.

Noticing a small connecting trail to the Bogachiel River Trail, just outside the gates of the Hoh Rainforest. I thought that would get me away from the crowds and after a quick check of the map, off I went. Well, a better check of the maps would have shown the route to be 22 miles and either steeply uphill, or steeply down. Fun stuff!

Heading out on the trail and not reaching the expected turnaround point after 1:55 of running, I turned around. climbing back over the high ridgeline I had just descended was not as much fun as I hoped. The steep trail, complete with switchbacks, downed 6 foot thick trees to climb over, and ferns that covered your legs knees deep, made running tough. Trying not to catch my feet on unseen roots, I was only partly successful.

I fell twice, once stepping into air covered with ferns. I couldn't see the trail so I just trusted that my feet would hit SOMETHING when they came down. I was mistaken. A bit tired from 2:45 of hard running at that point, I didn't recover well. I began a fast headfirst bouncing skid off the mountainside. It ended rather quickly as a very firm 150 foot tall spruce tree hit me in the head and stopped all progress.

With just a little blood on my nose and a headache to show for my efforts, I crawled back up the hill to the trail and continued the run. I got to the bottom very muddy, a bit moist from the sweat and slight dripping rain, a little bloody, and very tired. Great run, but in the entire 3:15 of the run I never got to see anything besides trees, as I was buried in the deep forest the entire time.

The next days run had a goal to try and see the mountains.

I picked the climb up Mt. Ellinor as the next day's adventure. Described as being only 9 miles round-trip, it sounded like an easier day was in store. The day was a LOT wetter than the previous day, as the rain was hard and steady all morning. Dressed in my rain parka and shorts, I contrasted with those in full alpine climbing gear who I saw on the trail.

I found out later that I had picked a trailhead further down the mountain to start from, so I am not sure exactly how far I went. The trail was fantastic! Soft, well maintained trails, zigzagging up the steep slopes, it had to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever run. I took a lot of pictures that I hope convey the trail as I saw it.

Suddenly, the trail turned onto the snow banks that had been alongside the trail. The trail took a sharp turn, straight up the mountain, following an avalanche chute. The chute was covered with 3-4 feet of very soft, melting snow. You would break through the surface on occasion and find your feet in the cold water of the creek below. Fun stuff! The only way to get down the hill was to simulate sking, only with no poles nor skis! Ugly, but it worked.

The clouds had move in even more and I turned around at the top of the trail. You couldn't see anything of the supposedly incredible view of the Olympic Mountain Range. As I neared the bottom, the sun broke through and I considered climbing back up to check the views. The call of food was overwhelming though, so I headed back to the rental Cutlass Supreme/Jeep.

The next day I could hardly walk, with major cramps in the calves and achilles area. It might have been a signal to consider a day off. Nah!