Basic Backpacking Field Trip - Duckabush River

10:00am at the TH; can also work on carpools for those who are interested.  NW Forest Pass or Annual National Parks Pass required at TH.  Ferry fees may be incurred to get to the Peninsula.  Or one can drive via Olympia or the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, esp if one lives south of Seattle downtown. 

While the trip up the Duckabush River valley can take one to the deep into the heart of the Olympics later in season, it is a perfect trip for late spring in the lower reaches.  We will enjoy some spring flowers and get into old growth forest, sometimes near the river, sometimes on benches above the river.   Its location on the leeward side of the Peninsula will hopefully be in our favor and bring good weather.  However, if the weather dictates, we will change destination to something east of the Cascade Crest.  Regardless, we will have a great introductory backpack trip, immersing in nature and learning as we go.  We will hike over both the Little Hump and the Big Hump to arrive at what is called Five Mile Camp in the Brothers Wilderness.  Don't let the gain described scare you off.  It is 1300' on the way in, and 800' on the way out.  

About Basic Backpacking Field Trips

The Basic Backpacking Field Trip is the final scheduled activity of the Basic Backpacking Course.  For most students it will be their first overnight trip in the backcountry.  Basic Backpacking Field Trips are usually single-night trips along Easy or Moderate routes that do not present any unusual technical challenges.