Elk Creek Campground and Elk-Kings strenuous amazing and sketchy hike

We set out to Elk Creek in the Tillamook State Forest with two cars. The idea was to find a campsite, leave one car, and hit the beach. The first come first serve campground was packed but someone graciously gave us their spot when they left.

Everyone got what they needed with this adventure. Instead of heading to the beach we fell in love with little creek and spent some quality time splashing!

Amy: Proof that Analise ACTUALLY TRIED ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy: I like to throw sticks on the fire.

Analise: Don't take my picture. I love kettles. The pump was fun to get water from.👾👼👱👱👻👯👱👧👪👫👄👀❤☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺👯

After dinner it was just me and the dog. Oreo was a little frustrated that we weren't moving but slept well in the tent. We woke up to a grey rainy morning, but I was able to break camp and cook breakfast pretty quickly.

I headed to the very steep Elk Mountain trailhead to start the loop and decided quickly there was no way I was going back that way!

Though I didn't get the amazing views, the flowers were lovely and it was nice to hike UP the 1200 ft a mile elevation gain in the cool weather.

I took plenty of breaks on the way up and enjoyed being on top of something even if I couldn't see very far.

The dog had endless energy as always and kept me moving up the hill.

Lots of Trillium.

I was proud to make it to the top of Elk Mountain- now to tackle a scary downhill section. I attached Oreo to my pack and started using training treats to reinforce the "wait" command.

I continued to see Trillium on the up and down of the ridge.

Soon I found a section with a rope where the trail was partially washed out. With both my pole and my dog hooked to me, I grabbed the rope with one hand and stepped down onto the steep slope. I hoisted the dog down with my other hand. Another hiker came upon me and watched my descent.

Soon I was climbing again to the top of King's Mountain.

More of the "wait" command with training treats followed and I found five finger ferns.

It was a long slow walk down the other side and we enjoyed the feeling of being high in the mist on the way down.

Oreo continued to have plenty of energy and was starting to get the idea of waiting on the downhill stretch.

I continued down, sticking with it. Proud of myself for the climbing both ways and enjoying the flowers along the way.

I got down to the flat part of the trail and hiked the last five miles through a beautiful forest along the creek. I can see why the elk love it so much but did not see any elk this time.

This 11.5 mile loop was the hardest day hike I have ever done. Me and the dog make an excellent team. It was great spring training for backpacking. So great to be able to spend one day with my family playing in a creek, spend the night in the tent with the dog and wake up to this excellent and challenging adventure! Win for everyone!

Snow Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom: We were on a little easier adventure up to Snow Bowl hut near Mt. Rainier the last weekend in April. This is still a challenge due to the uphill snowshoe/ 1800 ft of elevation gain but is only 3 miles when you can drive to the upper sno park as opposed to 5 miles to the Yurt. I was glad to have a weekend adventure with Amy.

Mom: We hit snow in about half a mile from the snowpark and I strapped my snowshoes on. Due to the spring wet sticky snow and mud I did not bring the sled this time and carried our supplies on my back.

Amy: I was really excited for snowbowl.

Mom: We enjoyed the stream on our way up to the hut. It was a bit cloudy but we warmed up quickly climbing up the hill.

Mom: There was still so much snow here. The road had been groomed and we saw some ski tracks.

Mom: We took many breaks on the way up to the hut.

Amy: A nice leaning stump

Amy: *trudge, trudge* *pant, pant* x2 million

Mom: Though the snow was melting it was pretty and fun to be out in it.

Amy: The resting flags

Mom: We were happy to see the flags at the top of the hill and took a much needed break.

Mom: The prayer flags always make me hopeful and remember Judy who was so committed to the trail system.

Amy: We had a snack

Amy: Ahh! I am cooling off!

Mom: Prayer flags.

Mom: There was not much of a view through the clouds but it was still nice to be on top of the hill.

Amy: up, up, up

Amy: Yay, the gazebo

Mom: I really like the gazebo and took some quiet time to visit leaving Amy warming up in the hut with the walkie talkie.

Mom: I love these stones near the gazebo. This one is a deer that says "Judy's dream". Judy was such a compassionate and grounding presence.

Mom: This one of the cougar says "Bob's Promise". Bob Brown has carried on the MTTA leadership.

Amy: The rocks were pretty

Amy: A "real" raccoon guarding the outhouse.

We wrote a poem in the Snow Bowl logbook. It said:
We drove quite far to the sno park in our car.
We started to hike up the hill we dislike.
Our snowshoes we soon needed. The hill made us quite heated.
We felt like we were on fire. With so many clothes we might expire.
At the hilltop we shouted "Hooray. We made it to the flags today."
We collapsed in the snow at the top of the hill. We were so tired but we pressed on still.
We got to the hut before dinner time. As you can see we're making this rhyme.
We thank Mt. Tahoma Trails for giving us awesome tales.
-Amy and Melody

Mom: Such a pretty view. We had a great night playing so many games, reading, and eating good food.

Mom: We headed back to the gazebo before leaving on the trail. This little ranger lady makes me smile. Is it Judy looking down on us?

Mom: This shows the distance to peaks. I have never been here on a sunny day but imagine I would feel like I could fly and enjoy the birds.

Mom: Amy reported this is her favorite hut. She loved the game selection and a bit shorter hike as well as the gazebo.

Mom: We headed back toward the car, stopping briefly to enjoy the flags at the start of our downhill stretch.

Amy: Back to the flags

Amy: down, down, down

Amy: Almost there

Mom: Such a special place and I was glad to have the weekend with Amy!