Sol Duc Falls to Deer Lake (07/15)

Today we are going to Sol Duc Falls.  The drive as usual is very scenic.  I just love seeing all the green and trees.  But I must say I am missing my big Vistas of Arizona.  It is a beautiful day, sunshine and blue skies, still feels a little cool at 10 am.

It is just a short walk to the falls, .8 miles, then another 3.2 miles to Deer lake.  3 of the miles is all up hill, yuk!

The first part of the trail is relatively nice, but then it tuns very rocky.  You can hear the stream rushing down below you.  We do around 1700 ft elevation gain but the up hill is pretty gradual and steep in a couple of places.

 The Superstition Mt's have nothing on being rocky, only here they are in-bedded in the dirt instead on being on top of it.  By the time we hit the Canyon Creek camp site number 2 I was pretty much out of energy.  I had skipped breakfast this morning and am now regretting it. Joe found a butt tree that made us laugh.
 I keep going slowly up hill, took a cliff hot shot to get some energy, it helped.  Joe went on a head to see how much further we had to go.  I knew we were close because we were at tree line.  When he came back for me with the good news only five more minutes and I would be there.  My first site of the lake made the up hill trek worth it.

Joe's butt tree

It took 3 hours to get to the lake. We found a nice shady log to sit on and eat lunch.  The volunteer ranger came and talked to us while we ate.  His an interesting job.  He spends 4 days in the back country and three back home and then goes out again.  They live in big canvas cabin tents.  He does this with his wife.  They don't get paid but have a beautiful place to live 4 days a week.  This time of year they like this middle camp and in August like to go up to the high camp if they are needed.  Joe thought this is something he might enjoy doing at some point.

The way down was much easier and a lot faster.  I was afraid it would be like the down hill at Mt Rainier but it was pretty gradual same as the up hill.  It only took 2 hours to come down.  It was a very beautiful day to be in the mountains.

At Hurricane Ridge I bought a shirt and Joe a hat with this saying, "The Mountains are calling I must go"  John Muir.  This is very true for us in this part of the country where there are more trails than we have time for.  We will diffidently  be back!