anyone spend much time in the Olympic N. P.?

“I'm intimately familiar with the topography of the leeward (east) side of the park. The west side is usually a little to wet for me. I'm looking to do the Bailey Traverse a couple of times this year. Ideally I will integrate it into a 28 day solo endeavor this August/September. I also plan on doing it this May in an ultra-lightweight style. Has anyone done this traverse before? What about other O.N.P. trip reports?”

“Mr. X, I've only done a few dayhikes in the Olympics, but you might check Washington Trails Association website for trail/trip reports throughout the season.”

“I do!

Unfortunately I have not done the Bailey Traverse.”

“Switchback-
What's your favorite spot up there?”

“Well, I haven't been everywhere up there yet, but so far, Martins Lakes and the meadows that make up Martins Park has to be my ultimate favorite. Lake Constance is a close runner-up.

Planning to get to Royal Basin, Enchanted Valley and the Skyline Ridge trail soon.

How about you? Are you located on the peninsula?”

“I'm located in the humble metropolis known as Portland, OR. I was concieved, gestated, and raised in Olympia, WA. My proximity to the Olympics during my formative years instilled an undying passion for the aforementioned range.”

“FYI... There are several of us here in the Portland area who may take exception with your choice of adjectives.

Thank you though for any/all information about PNW destinations. Please keep it coming.”

“A student group is doing a week and a half trip to the Olympic Pen. I'm considering going. It'll be mid May. Any idea about weather conditions around then?”

“partly cloudy...chance of rain.lol”

“Alpine-
I apologize for my meek description of Portland. Maybe "The Self-Righteous, Sewage-Dumping-in-the-Willamette, Superfund site, Junkie-Mecca, Too-Small-to-be-a-Big-City, Too-Big-to-be-a-Small-Town, Less-Than-Bourgeoisie, Sinkhole-of-the-West-Coast" would be more appropriate. I thought my initial description was pretty respectable. Oh yeah, I hope that my punctuation was OK.”

“Oldie-
Where is this week-and-a-half trip going to take place? If you have any say in the matter, I'd suggest anywhere east of the Elwah River and north of the Hamma Hamma River. This will minimize the amount of precipitation encounter (rain shadow) because the worst weather comes from the southwest. Also you will encounter less residual early season snowpack at higher elevations (3500' and higher) which can make for difficult route finding.”

“X: LOL! Now that's much better! Glad I gave you an opportunity to get that off your chest!”

“I feel much better. Now, if only I had more beer....”

“null”

“SB... You should be a weather guy... Your prediction is going to be right on! :)”

“I don't have the slightest idea where the trip is going to be. I have a friend who is part of the student group leading the trip, but she doesn't know much yet.”

“Oldie, maybe she meant the Salt Lake City Olympics.”