ScenicBoys

The Ozette Triangle

Olympic National Park protects 73 gorgeous and spectacular miles of wilderness coastline; the longest stretch of undeveloped oceanfront in the Lower 48 States. No two miles are similar as each beach, tide flat, head and cove have their own stunning character. You can hike for miles and never get the feeling of déjà vu.

When we were choosing which trips to incorporate into Scenic Boy Adventures, the Olympic coast was the first place we knew people would love to experience. This area is about as close as one can get to seeing land as early explores and native peoples did centuries ago. There are no roads, no structures, and no signs of modern civilization for miles (aside from minimal Park Service markers).

A Picturesque boardwalk, slowly being consumed by moss and ferns, welcomes the adventurous traveler as he makes his way toward the pristine sandy beaches of the Ozette Triangle.

While walking along the coastline there are more signs of animals life than there are of other hikers. We came across a set of sea otter tracks that made a b-line from the water to the piles of driftwood at the edge of the forest. No doubt a mother and her new pups retuning from a swimming lesson.

We discovered two beaches with the most amazing camp spots tucked under a cave of trees. With creeks running through both and enough room for 10 or so granola gays, these sites are absolutely perfect for adventure seekers ready to explore the Olympic coast. *We intentionally left these campsites out of the video as to keep the delightful charm a special experience for those who join us this summer. :)

Scenic Boys: Ozette Triangle from scenicboys on Vimeo.

 

The next time we will be on the Ozette Triangle will be on July 8^th – 10^th, when we host the very first Scenic Boy Adventure.

May Showers Bring Summer Flowers

Everyone knows that the Pacific Northwest gets more that its fair share of rain. On average, Seattle receives a whopping 34 inches of annual precipitation, most of which falls between the months of October and May. That's nothing compared to cities in the American South that average double that amount - about 60 inches of annual rain. But we do have high percentage of protracted cloudy and overcast days, that give the impression of our perpetual rain.  

But Spring precipitation across the entire country is elevated this year, and the Pacific Northwest is no exception.  We're truly living up to our reputation as the rainiest corner in the United States. Last weekend Seattle broke TWO rainfall records in less than 24 hours. There was so much rain that we received our average monthly rainfall in just one day!

With all this record rain in the lowlands and late season snow in the mountains, we’re predicting that the wild flowers will be big and bountiful come summertime. Each year, while on our Scenic Boy Adventures, we see the most beautiful, delicate, and unique flowers along the trails. In some places acres of purple flowers carpet the entire mountainside. In others, rare buds lay hidden deep in the wilderness where only the luckiest of hikers get to admire them.

Now the sun is shining and it is feeling like normal Spring weather, and this has inspired us to create a photo album of our best wildflower shots. We’re hoping that this nice weather will last through the weekend, because we’re planning on a backpacking trip to the Ozette Triangle. The coastal flowers should be in full bloom and we can't wait to share them with you. 

Discover Your Inner Mountain Man

We are very thankful to have such amazing Adventure People following our blog. Many of you have been reading since 2006 - when we first stared sharing our story - and since then have nominated us in Lonely Planet's Travel Blog Awards, helped us raise over $3,000 for wilderness conservation, and you all continue to send so many wonderful comments, messages and emails. It is so awesome to know that some people have felt inspired to be more active in nature, to support their National Parks, or to just be comfortable in their own skin after reading our blog. Knowing that we have inspired others only inspires us more.

In recent years we have tossed around the idea of involving more of you in our adventures. Sharing our beautiful Evergreen State vicariously with the world is something easily done from this blog, but what if we could provide an opportunity for people to enjoy the adventure in person?! 

So after years of ideas, months of planning, and weeks of developing, we have finally come to the newest chapter in the Scenic Boys story - and YOU'RE in the supporting roll! We'd like to formally welcome you to be apart of the inaugural season of Scenic Boy Adventures: our all-inclusive wilderness guide service.

We are currently offering three Adventures into the wonderfully diverse and stunningly beautiful Olympic National Park. We'll pick you up from your Seattle hotel with all the necessary food and gear you'll need. Then we'll guide you, your friends, and other adventurous gays into the most amazing and exciting areas in Washington. Take pictures of waterfalls, explore tide pools, or soak in hot springs - while we take care of everything else.

Check out the new website and decide if you want to enjoy a sunset on a wilderness beach, or have dinner in a 1,000 year old rain forest. Or perhaps even both.

 

Beltane 2011: Shi Shi Beach

The beginning of May is always a very exciting time for us. It typically marks the start of our camping season, we celebrate Garet’s birthday (he turned 30 this year!) and May 1^st is of course one of our favorite holidays: Beltane.

This ancient Pagan holiday celebrates the return of life to the fertile world, as symbolized by the Green Man impregnating Mother Earth. The abundance of Spring begins to bloom and flourish. It is certainly a time for joyful gallivants in the woods. This is the fourth Beltane we have celebrated, and each year our list of traditions seems to grow. Some of our favorite Scenic Boys: John, Brandon, Kyle and Jason joined us on this adventure, all of whom have celebrate with us in years past.

Since it was Garet’s birthday, he got to decide our camping destination; it's no surprise we ended up at Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park. Last weekend marked the earliest time of year that we have made our annual trek to this beautiful stretch of coast. The 5 mile hike in is usually muddy, but after record rainfall all Spring the trail was bogged with deep thick mud. That didn't stop us from enjoying the gorgeous sunny weekend! 

Our camp on the beach was pretty fantastic. Someone before us had spent a lot of time making a hammock out of fishing nets and driftwood. It was perfect for relaxing and taking in the view.  A creek flowed from the brush behind our tent, and we were very close to the tide pools and rock arches at the south end of the beach.

This trip was far too short for us; we only got to spend one night at The Point of the Arches before we had to make our way back to the bustling city. It was a great first backpacking trip of 2011 though, and we’re excited to have the new adventure season underway. :)

Scenic Boys: Beltane at Shi Shi Beach from scenicboys on Vimeo.

If you have been following us on Facebook and Twitter you will know that we have been working hard at developing an Adventure Company. We have been bustin’ our balls acquiring permits, licenses, certifications, and planning each of this year's trips. Now we are finally at the point where we’re ready to go live with the new website and business. Check back on Thursday for more details!!

Honey Badger House

WHOO! Our First Adventure Post of the Year!

Last weekend we enjoyed a crazy fun adventure with a handful of our close buddies. Ten of us drove down the Oregon coast to a beach front vacation home in Lincoln City. We spent three nights in a massive house (named after our mascot of the weekend, the Honey Badger) and got all kinds of rowdy at night, and enjoyed the sun and sand during the day.

This place was like the set of a Bel Ami movie, with a beautiful indoor pool and hot tub over looking the Pacific Ocean and steam sauna big enough for all of us to enjoy. We were running around that place like a bunch of adolescent boys without supervision--in other words, lots of fun!

On Earth Day we hiked 4 miles to the top of Cascade Head, with breathtaking views of the Salmon River estuary, Liconln City, and the Pacific Ocean. The trail was moderatly busy on this sunny day, but the views proved too tempting to pass up a Scenic Boy opportunity. So we set a lookout and Dusty stripped down for a few shots.

This weekend we're celebrating Beltane, the spring fertility festivil, and Garet's (30th shhhh!) birthday! There will be plenty of fun stories and photos to come! Who's excited for the camping season to begin?!!

Happy National Parks Week!

The National Parks are like magical time machines, established "for the benefit of the people." Step through the entrance of any National Park and you are taken to a place in history that has been preserved for future generations to also learn from and enjoy.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

This week (April 16th -24th) all 394 National Parks are fee-FREE to allow anyone and everyone to enjoy these great places. Independence Hall, Gettysburg, Mount Rushmore, The Everglades, Glacier and so many other diverse and inspiring locations are there for You, for Free! Follow this link to find The National Parks Near You.

Yosemite National Park, California

We have visited only a small fraction of what the Park Service has to offer, but we're eager to explore, learn and blog about the awesome places we have yet to visit.

These are the Parks we've had an opportunity to explore through out the four years of Scenic Boy Adventures:

1.     Olympic National Park (WA)
2.     Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
3.     North Cascades National Park Complex (WA)
4.     Ebby's Landing National Historic Reserve (WA)
5.     John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (OR)
6.     Lewis & Clark National Historical Park (OR)
7.     Redwood National Park (CA)
8.     Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)
9.     Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA)
10.     Yosemite National Park (CA)
11.     Craters of the Moon National Monument (ID)
12.     Big Hole National Battlefield (MT)
13.     Yellowstone National Park (WY)
14.     The Grand Tetons National Park (WY)
15.     Saguaro National Park (AZ)
16.     Montezuma Castle National Monument (AZ)
17.     Cumberland Island National Seashore (GA)
18.     The Statue of Liberty National Monument (NY)
19.     Virgin Islands National Park (USVI)
20.     San Juan National Historic Site (PR)

Olympic National Park, Washington

Hot Springs Etiquette

Hot Springs are one of nature's geologic mysteries and one of our most enjoyable forms of relaxation. As water percolates deep into the Earth's crust, it comes in contact with hot rocks and turns to steam.  Super heated water dissolves minerals as it raises back to the surface and pools in natural or man-made tubs. It's commonly believed these popular thermal oasis offer therapeutic benefits for weary hikers.

A large number of the world's hot springs are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Over the past few seasons of Scenic Boy Adventures, we've dabbled our toes in three geothermal pools, from three different states. Both Olympic Hot Springs in Washington and Slate Creek Hot Springs in Idaho were accessible only via trail with camping areas nearby.  Peaceful, rejuvenating, and relaxing, these pools are perfect for the day-tripper or over-night backpacker looking to get away from the crowds. At Yellowstone National Park we saw the biggest hot springs in the world, but had to stay out of the tranquil pools because they're highly acidic and extremely hot.

With nice weather fast approaching and the opportunities for warm soaks in the backcountry fresh in our mind, we'd like to share some Hot Spring Etiquette that will make your next (or first!) backcountry spa day a little more enjoyable.

1. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. People hike deep into the wilderness to escape the fast paced routines of city life. They come to relax, unwind, and enjoy nature. Loud voices, music and delinquent behavior disrupt the peacefulness of a stress-free hot springs. Leave the partying where it belongs... in the city.
2. Clean up after yourself. Water bottles, beer cans, wrappers, and clothes should all be packed-out with you; this is one of the fundamental rules of Leave No Trace Camping. Also, don't leave human waste, including semen, anywhere near the springs or any water source for that matter.
3. Expect nudity (unless signs indicate otherwise). You should strongly consider being naked yourself whenever in or near hot springs. Soaps and laundry detergents cling to bathing suits and may harm the micro-organisms and ecology. Just be sure to keep your clothes handy, incase a group of unwitting grandma's want to join you.
4. Be welcoming of other's who arrive at the hot springs while you're there together. Most bathers are kind and genuine people, full of stories and fascinating personal histories.  You don't have to jump into your clothes and leave just because you have visitor(s).  Strike up a conversation and see what you might have in common with your new hot spring buddies. Some of the coolest and most interesting people I've ever known, I met while unwinding in stinky sulfur pools. :)

Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy natural hot springs as if they were the first to step in the warm water. Be quiet, courteous, and respectful of others.  Clean up after those who've come before you and leave the area pristine for those who will surely come after you. 

Flash Back!

Our Scenic Boy Adventures started in the summer of 2007 with a handful of fun trips to some very awesome places. We made our first trek to Shi Shi Beach (which has become our favorite place to camp in Washington), hugged some HUGE trees in Mt Rainier National Park and made three road trips through California, Idaho and Arizona.

Then in the summer of 2008 we made it our mission to camp more, backpack longer, and travel further. We succeeded in spending 22 nights outside, backpacking the Ozette Triangle and Eagle Creek trails, road-tripping to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and by making our second trip to the Caribbean island of Saint Marten.

This video montage was made in the winter of '08, but was never embedded in our blog. The video is set to Tommy James & the Shondells' song "Dragging the Line," with lyrics that we love. It features the two of us along with a bunch of our fellow adventure buddies. We hope you enjoy this look back at the first two years of our Scenic Boy Adventures.

'07 '08 Flash Back! from scenicboys on Vimeo.

Nudity in the National Parks

Nudity and Nature just go hand in hand. Many Native Americans lived their daily lives wearing next to nothing and everyone knows the biblical story of Adam & Eve frolicking around Eden in the buff. But in modern times nudity has become so taboo that in most areas it is outright intolerable.

So as hikers who enjoy the feeling of nature on our bare feet and skin, we decided to do some research and give some guidelines for enjoying our great Parks au naturel.

Currently there are no federal laws that concern nudity in National Parks. But since there is no overriding federal law, it then becomes a state issue, and some states do have laws against nudity. It is a good idea to check Your State’s Laws before deciding to go skinny-dipping in a National Park.

In our experience we have found a few great places to skinny dip, sun bathe or run naked through the forest in Olympic and North Cascades National Parks in Washington; and also Cumberland Island National Park in Georgia. The trick is to get far from the crowded Visitor Centers, pick lesser used trails and to the best of your ability, make sure there isn’t any other campers around that might be uncomfortable seeing your dangly bits.

Picking a good spot is the key to having a carefree naked afternoon, but no matter how careful and discreet you are there is always a chance of encountering unsuspecting clothed hikers. For example, after spending the night high up Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite National Park (California), we decided to strip down and bathe in the warm granite pools and beautiful waterfall. We played for about an hour until we noticed a Park Ranger standing 30 feet from us. We quickly put clothes on as he walked to us and said “Sorry to interrupt your swim, but there is a few other hikers on there way up here. Please keep your clothes on for the afternoon.” He was very polite and we respected his wishes.

It's easy to enjoy nature in the nude and to also respect other hikers on the trail as well. Look for seclusion, obey signs and Park Ranger requests, keep clothes handy and don’t be overtly sexual out in the open; reserve that kind of naked fun for after hours inside your tent.

Top 10 Scenic Boy Hikes in Washington

From alpine meadows covered in acres of wild flowers, to temperate rain forests dripping with every shade of green imaginable; the Scenic Boys have explored and blogged about some of the most spectacular trails in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve only been documenting our adventures for 4 years now, but that has only been a fraction of the backcountry knowledge we have yet to share.

Based on Trail Difficulty, Scenic Views, Seclusion and the Chance to get Naked, we have put together our Top 10 List of the best Scenic Boy hikes in Washington State.

1. Shi Shi Beach        ~ Olympic National Park
2. Ape Canyon          ~ Mnt St Helens National Monument
3. Siouxon Creek       ~ Gifford Pinchot National Forest
4. Enchanted Valley  ~ Olympic National Park
5. Ozette Triangle     ~ Olympic National Park
6. Ross Lake              ~ North Cascades National Park
7. Strawberry Point   ~ Olympic National Park
8. Yellow Aster Butte ~ North Cascades National Park
9. Glacier View          ~ Mount Rainier National Park
10. Steamboat Rock    ~ Washington State Park