The weather was getting colder and wetter as the Northwest's winter season set in, back in late September. Our buddy Micah suggested we head to the Peninsula and take advantage of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow. So sure enough, after a ferry ride out of Seattle and a few miles drive north of the mountains we found clear skies.
Micah is a Marine Biologist who has done a lot of backpacking through this area of Olympic National Park, so it was great to hear him tell stories and rattle off plant names as we drove to our trail head. There was quite a few cars in the parking lot when we arrived, but after we started the hike we realized that most of them were Day Trippers enjoying the leisurely hike.
The trail to the hot springs and camp area was paved most of the way, which make this hike extremely easy. The Park maintained the road and camp area until the mid 60s when they decided to restrict the area to hikers only. When we reached the camp area we wandered around the many camp spots, trying to find that wasn't so close to the other campers. We were lucky to find a nice big spot on a ridge of a large Elowha River Valley
The hot springs themselves are about a quarter mile from the camp area. The three of us had a great time exploring the woods for the hidden springs. After a half hour of searching we found seven very inviting pools, ranging in temperatures. We then sat in one for a bit and discussed the microbes and other creatures that depend on the sulfuric water to survive.
Dinner that night was all vegetables. We cooked potatoes, carrots, celery and onions in our own makeshift stews (I cooked mine with some Whiskey from my flask, which was quite delectable). The next morning Garet and I got up early and went back to the hot springs and enjoyed a nice dip all to ourselves.
ScenicBoys: Olympic Hot Springs from scenicboys on Vimeo.
We have a few ideas to keep the site going through the next couple months. Our next project will be our own biographies. So if there is anything you'd like to know about us, send an email with your questions. We're thinking we'll have one up in a week or so. But until then keep up the adventures, whether they're on a forest trail or city park. Bundle up and get outside.
Its so true - hot springs and clothing just don't mix...Will have to find sme around here! Like the idea of the bios...
keep on hikin boys!
Posted by: Vin | November 29, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I wanna hear how you two met!
Posted by: Brenton | November 30, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Another fine video - Looking forward to Bio's. Don't you guys have day jobs? ? ? ? No hot springs here - - frozen lakes & ponds!!!
Keep the flasks full for the next adventure.
Posted by: gbh mn | November 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM
very nice records & pics... i was there, u made me feel...
keep up to good work!
Posted by: timmy1969 | November 30, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Garet-- can I send in some oh so flattering pictures of you from your younger day?
Love ya
Posted by: Amy | November 30, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Bio's I think it's a wonderful idea.....you guys should "flesh" out your coming out (painful?) and include photos of your youth (ok youth is relative as you are both still youths).
Early camping trip experiences with your families......
And I do agree hot springs are for nature (you didn't look when Micah was getting in did you???).
Sorry couldn't resist asking.
Posted by: Mark | December 01, 2008 at 07:47 AM
I can see your doodle. :)
Yay hot springs!
m@
Posted by: m@ | December 01, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Hey guys, really like the things you do on this site. Videos are great. If I buy you a new axe will you promise to take me on one of your trips when I get to Seattle, would certainly enjoy skinny-dipping in one of those hot-springs.
Posted by: Tremendi | December 02, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Water boils at 100 degrees celsius not 60! LOL...cute
Posted by: Neel | December 03, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Maybe... But when you add the hotness of the three participants, water could boil at 32!!!
And the guess at 40 C for water temp must be close (104F). The spa has a hot tub that's 104...
Posted by: Doug | December 07, 2008 at 06:12 PM
You take the best video and photos. Hope you are enjoying the snow. My friend, who live in Seattle, said you had plenty of snow. Hope you both have a wonderful holiday. Keep up the great work.
Posted by: dit | December 19, 2008 at 07:02 AM
Awesome video and I love the trip you guys made.. Made the same trip when I was in the Seattle area for my exchange year... cute you mistaked on the Celcius. 100 is boiling.... But I already saw that written above.
Posted by: Twotone | January 09, 2009 at 09:35 AM
What song is that in the last video?
Posted by: Cody | July 29, 2009 at 10:57 AM