We woke around 7am, and after a leisurely coffee/tea/breakfast time, as well as taking our time to break-down camp and get on the trail, we were under way at 10:15am, knowing that it was only 6.5 miles to the Enchanted Valley.
Again, it was a rather warm day, but the trail was shaded on-and-off, so that was helpful to keeping cool. We continued following the Quinault River to No Name Creek, then onto Pyrites Creek (a popular camping spot) three miles from O’Neill Creek, arriving at 11:45am.
We hung out and enjoyed a snack in the shade, and were back on the trail at 12:15pm………
The trail became more meadow-like – apparently deer and elk can be seen here when the grasses are green – it was pretty dry this time of year.
Eventually we came upon a gate. A gate? Must be the “entrance” to the Enchanted Valley, but why a gate? Hmmm…..
Then there was “the bridge.” A very narrow, very high bridge. This one got both of our hearts racing a bit as we walked over it…..look down to the right of the bridge, see that water far, far below – that’s the river. The bridge was, at most, no kidding, two feet wide. Why? Why do that to people? What about another handrail? Neither one of us are afraid of heights, but come on!
Suzanne tried to get a perspective of the height of the bridge, but this is the best she could do……
And there we were, at 2pm (6.5 miles from O’Neill) – in the Enchanted Valley…….
With the (now boarded up) chalet…..
We found our campsite – this picture doesn’t do it justice – right one the water, with a tree for shade, flat, large, private as possible – best backpacking campsite ever! No other site was right on the water with a tree – ya got one, or the other, but not both.😃
After setting-up camp (we tried to go without the fly again, but it got relatively cold that night and the fly was put back on rather quickly) , we meandered up the river
Enjoying the views
And from far away, saw a bear! (Who kept his back to us the entire time.)
Then it was the usual – dinner, reading, etc… We also watched for another bear siting (none), enjoyed the waterfalls.....
Another campsite picture!
And......another privy! Wahoo!!!
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