I went on a hike yesterday to Mount Ellinor in the Olympic Peninsula. I highly recommend this hike to anyone who is up for a 6.2 mile very challenging hike to a viewpoint at 5944 feet with a 3300 foot gain in altitude!
I woke early and taught a class at Continental Place in Belltown. Since I knew I was going on the hike right after teaching the class, I had taken the bus downtown with all my hiking gear, including my hiking poles, heavy duty hiking boots, and camel backpack filled with water and food (aka “body fuel”). After class, I met my friend Mary in West Seattle and from there we took the ferry to Southworth, via Vashon. It was quite the drive to Hoodsport and onward to the lower trail head to Mount Ellinor. The day was warm, the scenery and forest along the trail breathtaking, and the view from the top unforgettable. I think the photos below will show you the journey. We just barely made one of the late ferries back to Seattle and as we waited to get on, a colorful sunset decorated the sky. Perfect ending to an exhilarating day.
Sign-in kiosk. The trail is beautifully maintained. And note the Mitch Albom quote above: “How could he find perfection in such an average day?… I realized this was the whole point.” (except that I believe no day is average…every day is spectacular and to be lived fully!)
Lost Shoe next to Tips On Staying Safe.
Views and more views…Washington State: we may just very well live in one of the most beautiful states!
I was photographing the upside down butterfly feasting on this thistle when a bee suddenly popped into the photo to share the same thistle (and photo)!
View from the top: our late lunch spot shared with two other hikers.
My booted feet take me where I want to go.
Adorable..but keep your distance. They were very close by and fearless. Mamma Mountain Goat and her baby. Mary lovingly referred to the kid as “Muffin”. Mamma is shedding her coat and Muffin is quite wooly.
There they are again, agile as Mountain Goats will be!
Silhouette
sun streaming in on the forest on our hike back down the mountain (right around here, Mary spotted a bear cub!)
Waiting for the ferry for our return trip to Seattle, a gorgeous sunset dazzled our tired selves.
Of course, I wish I could have been in two places at once!
Rick
Fran – Thank you for sharing your story and spectacular photos. 6.2 miles + 3,300 feet – you are a hiking beast! I did a hiking/fishing trip up in the Pass – 2.5 + 900 feet of up and down yesterday; that was more than enough for me. Will definitely put Mt. Ellinor on my to-hike list. – Larry
Hi Larry, “Hiking Beast?” I am not sure what to do with such a compliment! Thank you! I love hiking and was quite happy at how it went. So exhilarating. Did you see the comment below by Paul? He does the Mount Ellinor hike annually, every spring, for the past 30 years. He is a definite Hiking Beast and has me beat for sure. I hope you will get to go to Mount Ellinor. The views alone make this challenging hike worth all the effort required! -Fran
I have hiked Mt. Elinor every spring for the last 30 years. It’s an outstanding glissade ride down when the chute has ample spring snow…and the view, as you know, is really spectacular. Hope you saw some goats up there.
Paul
Yes, it truly is spectacular. I think it is fantastic that you have gone every spring for 30 years! Such a great hike! And yes, we saw the wild goats (see the photos). You inspire me to go again and again! -fran