East Fork Foss River, 2018

Trilliums

We have hiked here a couple of times; the most recent was about 2 years ago.  This time we set a goal of reaching the River Camp, about 3 miles in for a 6-mile roundtrip.  Our car was the only one at the trail head when we arrived, we saw no other hikers or dogs and the car was still the only one there when we returned.

Very tiny patch of snow

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet our planned destination.  There were still a few tiny patches of snow off to the side but those were not a problem.  This trail does have a bridge over Burn Creek (more like a river) that was running fast.  It also has a number of smaller creek crossings that have to be forded.  I lost count of the number of creeks we crossed, some were just little bitty streamlets others were full of loose rocks and fast running water. 

 The large downed tree that fell directly on the trail

In one place a large tree had come down right on the trail and we had to scramble around and just follow the tree up until we could see the trail again.  The last creek was too deep for us to cross without water coming into our boots and part way up our legs.  It had a high degree of hazard that we were unwilling to take.  The water was running fast, cold, and the rocks were loose and slippery.  We tried several different places to see if a shallower, safer crossing could be possible to no avail.  It was frustrating to see the trail continue on the other side of the water and not be able to safely reach it.  We were within 1/3 to ½ mile of our hoped for warm lunch spot on the river bank and had to turn back. 

The old bridge over Burn Creek

   

The new wooden bridge over Burn Creek

This is a creek?  Looks more like a raging river!

The trail is not up one way and down the other instead it goes up and down almost all the distance with some level terrain here and there.  The day was hot, almost 80 degrees F, not optimal temperature for hiking. 

 Trillium in white, new bloom stage

 Starting to turn pink

Nearing the end of the bloom, turning purple-pink

One of the reasons we chose this hike was to see the trilliums and orchids.  Last time we saw about 50 of the shy Calypso orchids including the rare white one.  This time we counted 72 and think we may have missed some so the count may be closer to 75 or more.  There were hundreds of trilliums, some in massive displays of over 50 growing in large patches under trees.  They were in various stages of blooming with some the brilliant white and others changing to pink and eventually dark purple.  We wondered if we would find the white calypso and we did.  Bob had noted in his hiking journal that he had seen it 6 years ago, and we saw it again 2 years ago.  It probably isn’t as pretty as the purple-pink normal color but this albino orchid is very rare and exciting to find.

 Cluster of Calypso orchids (about 3" tall, flower is about 3/4" across)

 Calypsos can grow in groups but are usually spaced somewhat apart from one another although we did see pairs like these below

To our delight, the elusive white Calypso

Fairybells

 Skunk Cabbage

 Salmonberry

Red Huckleberry flowers.  The Red Huckleberry plant has green branches and leaves, tiny little flowers.  The only wild red berry that is safe to eat for sure.

Once the spring runoff has lessened and the water level has gone down a little it should be possible to safely ford the stream that stalled our progress; however, all the trilliums and orchids will have long finished blooming.  One unexpected wildlife sighting was a Great Horned Owl who hooted at us several times before taking flight.  We didn’t see it was until it was flying away.  And as it was flying fast we didn’t get a picture.  The wingspan was impressive. 

Conks growing on a downed tree

 These conks were climbing up the dead tree stump like steps

Tall conifers--Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock

Trailhead sign

Stats:  A no dog day! The first, I think.  No other hikers, also a first.  Approximately 5 ¼ miles round trip (it seemed longer, probably because it was such a warm day) with a vertical gain of about 700 ft counting all the ups and downs.