WALKIE TALKIE HIKING SCHEDULE 2012 SEASON
CELEBRATING THE 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMER HOOD CANAL HIKING CLUB
Get those hiking sticks out of storage and your knees oiled up for a new season of hiking! A few things to remember: Start times vary depending on the length of the drive, the length of the hike and/or the time of year; we leave meeting places at the times listed; don’t bring your dog but do bring your grandchildren, if you intend to supervise them. Intermediary meeting places are listed for carpooling purposes but there may not always be someone there, as frequently hikers may have arranged for rides ahead of time. It doesn’t hurt to anticipate your need for a ride and make arrangements accordingly. A Northwest Forest Service Pass is required at some trailheads but your Interagency Pass (Golden Age) can be substituted. Some of the hikes require a Discover Pass, which can be purchased at the time you pay for your car license, or any place fishing licenses are sold (cost is $30 per year or $10 per day). People aren’t happy with this pass, though, as it’s limited to use with the car associated with the permit. There is legislation currently in progress to change this, but for now, please plan accordingly. All hikes requiring the Forest or Golden Age and Discover Passes are noted below. Please contact the leader of a hike if you don’t have email access and want to be certain that plans haven’t changed since the schedule went to press, or if you have questions, such as “will there be a litter to carry me out at the end of the hike?”
FREQUENT MEETING PLACES
GEORGE ADAMS FISH HATCHERY – junction of Highway 101 and Skok Valley/ Purdy Canyon Road
HOODSPORT VISITOR’S CENTER
BELFAIR – QFC parking lot
UNION – Texaco station at intersection of McReavy and Dalby Roads in Union SHELTON – Fred Meyer parking lot

APRIL 4 PAUL BOARD MEMORIAL HIKE AT NISQUALLY DELTA
9:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer Frances Barnes 877-5342 Paul and Judy signed up to lead our first hike of the season, but Paul passed away this winter. In memory of our wonderful friend, Paul, Frances will lead the hike, and Judy will be joining us for the hike and lunch afterward (our treat). Be prepared for wet conditions. It’s a gentle walk through the wetlands with lunch to follow at a nearby restaurant to be decided later. Frances will scope out the trails and preview restaurants (yes!), as well as check for any fees for use/parking. Look for an email update on this.
APRIL 11 GIG HARBOR TRAIL Deborah Reis 898-6393
9:30 a.m. at Belfair QFC
This beautiful paved trail is a haven for walkers. Stretching from the middle of Gig Harbor to the Narrows Bridge, this trail parallels State Route 16 and runs under the adjacent power lines. The complete trail is 4.9 miles long. For an even longer hike, you can cross the Narrows Bridge. However, it is always possible to hike, rest, hike, turn around and head to a restaurant in Gig Harbor. A good rainy day trail.
APRIL 18 MUSEUM OF FLIGHT (SEATTLE) Kay P. 877-6723 Melinda 471-9881 8:45 a.m. at Belfair QFC
Drive to the museum near Seattle, which will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. We’ll make an effort to get drivers lined up and seats secured in the event that there are those who want to go but don’t want to even think about racing along I-5, white-knuckling the steering wheel. We can get a group rate of $12/senior if there are ten of us ($14 otherwise) and a docent-led tour of at least an hour in length. We can dine at the Wings Café...you can look at the menu right now on the museum website, and debate the merits of soup vs. sandwich, beer vs. spring water. Needless to say, we’ll be firming up plans as the date approaches, so stay tuned!
APRIL 25 ROBINSWOLD G.S. CAMP Frances B. 877-5342 9:30 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitors Center
A chance to explore the fabulous Girl Scout camp between Lilliwaup and Brinnon. I camped there as an eager young hiker wayyyyy back when. The walking/hiking is a nice walk along a Hood Canal front path and beach, as well as wooded trails to a lake on the other side of HWY 101. I will be scoping it all out before we go, so I won’t get us lost. I’m good on the waterfront part, but haven’t done the woodsy part in many moons.
MAY 2 DUPONT TO PUGET SOUND
9:00 a.m. at Fred Meyer Melinda 377-8847 Terri 432-0401 DuPont Museum and Nature Trail: We will stop at the Museum to use the restrooms and see the artifacts that tell the story that DuPont played in the development of the Puget Sound region. Then we will take the 2-mile trail to the beach where we’ll have lunch. Hike total is 4 miles with 300’ gain.
MAY 9 SILVERDALE CLEAR CREEK TRAIL Jan McMullen 427-8087 9:30 a.m. at Belfair QFC
We will proceed from the QFC to Monica’s Waterfront Bakery at 3472 NW Byron Street for coffee and treats. At 10:30 we will drive to Old Mill Park and 2901 NW Bucklin Road to begin our hike. Those who want a shorter hike may proceed to the Bowling Alley and start from there. Lunch at Silver City Brewery at 12:15 pm. Note from Jan: “The Clear Creek hike is the one we have traditionally done in Silverdale, but started from the bowling alley. The hike from the bowling alley appears to be a 2 mile loop. By starting at Old Mill Pond, we add approximately an additional mile each way. So, if you start at Old Mill Pond, the hike will be approximately 3 1/2 to 4 miles, if I am reading the map correctly!”
MAY 15- 17 OVERNIGHT TO OREGON GARDENS Myron and Kaye Skubinna 898-7313 We need to make our own reservations through Kate Cutler by April 15th in order to reserve their rooms at these very nice rates. Included is breakfast 2 days, and 2 days entrance to the Gardens, at $89.00 per night for a double room. The phone number for the resort is (503) 874-2500, and when you call ask for “sales” or Kate Cutler. Our usual Tuesday afternoon potluck won’t be possible, so we’ll meet in the lounge at the resort and then have dinner, either there or in Silverton. Wednesday, we’ll hike at Silver Falls State Park, walk through Silverton with lunch there, take a trip to Salem (if people want - it has a pretty waterfront), take a trip to Mt. Angel, a cute town. Then we’ll go up the hill to the Abbey, which has 2 interesting museums, a beautiful library, pretty grounds, a great view of the whole valley in all directions, and nice gardens. The town of Mt. Angel has great places for lunch, including a German-themed restaurant featuring authentic brats. And, for those interested in shopping, Woodburn has a very fine Outlet Mall close to I-5, reportedly the best shopping for all who wish to partake. If you choose to take the back roads, coming or going, Aurora is a wonderful antique town.
May 23 MCLANE SWAMP (CAPITOL FOREST) Marilyn 877-5711 Erlyn 877-9329 Discover Pass Required.
9:45 a.m. at Fred Meyer
Easy jaunt on a mostly level trail through the forest with lunch at the Little Creek Casino afterwards.
MAY 30 BUCK LAKE Kathy and Jack Nuszbaum 275-2457 9:30 a.m. at QFC in Belfair
A flat hike in a forested county park in North Kitsap. Many loops allow a hike from 0.5 to 3 miles. Lunch at picnic tables near the lake, or at a nearby casino.
JUNE 6 ILAHEE FOREST Kathy and Jack Nuszbaum 275-2457 9:30 a.m. at QFC in Belfair
A slightly rolling hike in a forested area. Many loops and hiking options are available. Lunch at a nearby eatery.

JUNE 13 DUCKABUSH TRAIL Jane F 877-0266 Kay P. 877-6723 8:30 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Let’s get an early start as it’s a long drive. It’s a fun hike up Little Hump, maybe on to Big Hump, and if you’re up for it, Five Mile Camp on the river. Duckabush, that is…
ALTERNATE HIKE: THELER WETLANDS Michael M. 898-3367 10:00 a.m. at QFC in Belfair
This is an easy, level walk through the wetlands. Lunch afterwards at Jimmy D’s?
JUNE 20 LINCOLN PARK Jan McMullen 427-8087 9:00 a.m. at QFC in Belfair
Drive to Southworth Ferry Terminal, and either drive or walk on taking either the 9:50 a.m. or 10:10 a.m. ferry. Hike to Lincoln Park and hike the 4.6 miles of walking trails, as much or as little as you please. Return on the 1:40 p.m. Fauntleroy ferry. Bring your lunch and money for the ferry and/or parking, if you’re going as a foot passenger.
JUNE 27 PORTLAND TRAIN TRIP Gordon 898-4538; Deborah 898-6393 7:00 a.m. at Texaco or 7:30 a.m. Fred Meyer
Gordon Personius will take reservations and payment when he arrives back in Washington in mid April. ALL RESERVATIONS SHOULD BE IN AND SUBMITTED TO AMTRAK BY 1 JUNE FOR GROUP RATE. Return trip scheduled back at Olympia/Lacey at 8:03 p.m. Deborah Reis will lead the in-town hike that day and will have the details about that later. She is proposing a guided tour of the art museum, but will need to have 12 folks on board for that if it is to happen. Please give her your feed back asap.
JULY 4 NO HIKE - HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
JULY 11 LAKE OF THE ANGELS Jane F. 877-0266 Kay P. 877-6723
9:00 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
It is a pretty difficult, steep trail that has a huge rock to climb over (a few of us went up there a couple of years back), but I can't remember much of a description. You do need to bring a lunch because of the amount of time required to get to the lake. The thing is: when we went up to Lake of the Angels, we used a different trailhead that is just west of the Lena Lake trailhead and east of the Putvin trailhead. It makes the hike a bit shorter although it is still difficult. We will need to find that unmarked trailhead sometime before the hike. (we will be doing that as soon as the weather gets better) Also, Kay mentioned to me that if the weather is rainy on the day of the hike, we will just go to Lena Lake instead. (a NW Forest Pass or a Golden Passport is required for the Lena Lake hike)
ALTERNATE HIKE: LAKE ISABELLA STATE PARK Donna V. 898-8234 Discover Pass Required.
9:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer
Nice walk near Shelton area, lake with 162 acres of farmland and 20 forested acres. Nice views of the lake and the Olympics. Easy hike.

JULY 18 STAIRCASE (SHADY LANE) Pie Day!! Marilyn E. 877-5711 Erlyn J. 877-9329 Forest Pass or Golden Age Pass Required
9:00 a.m. at Texaco or 9:30 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Lovely walk along the river with the special treat of homemade pie at Erlyn’s afterwards!
JULY 25 BUS TRIP TO LAKE QUINAULT Terri and Steve Saylor 432-0401 9:15 a.m. Fred Meyer
We’ll carpool to the McCleary Bus Station to catch the 10:10 a.m. bus to Aberdeen. In Aberdeen, we’ll transfer to the 11:30 a.m. bus to Lake Quinault, arriving at 12:35 p.m. Lunch at the Lodge or bring your own. After lunch, stroll along the lake, walk the 1.6 mile Falls Creek Loop trail, hike the Quinault Loop trail (4-8 miles), visit the Ranger Station, or just relax in the Lodge. We’ll catch the 4:15 p.m. bus back to Aberdeen, then transfer to the McCleary bus, which arrives back in McCleary at 6:30 p.m. Fare is $2 each way.
AUGUST 1 LOWER LENA LAKE Jane F. 877-0266 Kay P. 877-6723 9:00 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Forest Pass or Golden Age Pass Required
Beautiful lake at the end of a popular hike. A trail reviewer on the internet writes...”the trail switchbacks gently and endlessly in the forest.” Plan on hiking 3 miles and gaining 1,250 feet of elevation to the really big rock above the lake. Bring a sack lunch or you’ll starve. Ice cream rewards in Hoodsport afterwards, but you’re buying’.
ALTERNATE HIKE: ANDERSON LAKE/GIBBS LAKE Deborah Reis 898-6393 9:00 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Close to Chimacum, Anderson Lake State Park “appeals to hikers of all walks of life”.We’ll see. Acres of forest and farmland left in its natural state surround the 2.2 miles trail around the lake. With our leftover energy we can stop at Gibbs Lake for another 2.5 mile loop in the afternoon. Bring your lunch, or if you’re skipping the afternoon hike, there is great pie at the Chimacum Cafe.
AUGUST 8 STAIRCASE RAPIDS Michael Moore 898-3367 Forest Pass or Golden Age Pass Required
9:30 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Pleasant walk through old growth timber with a 200 foot elevation gain. Of course the bridge has been out as long as most of us can remember, so instead of a loop this is a 2 mile round trip. In 2011 we learned from the Ranger that they intend to re-build the bridge and have the plans approved. But, don’t hold your breath as they are awaiting funding!
AUGUST 15 SUMMER PICNIC Myron and Kaye Skubinna 898-7313 Bring food to share, and Kaye and Myron will provide the meat and coffee. Meat will be London Broil and hot dogs or brats, and we will also have buns and rolls. You all bring salads, hot dishes, dessert, wine and lots of smiles to share. Also bring friends, neighbors and/or house
guests - the first 2 groups that might want to join the Walkie Talkies. Arrive at 2:00 p.m., and those who want can have a hike out back with Myron before we eat (around 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.). Others can chat and tell tall tales while we wait for the hikers to return.
AUGUST 22 PORT GAMBLE Charles and Valerie Johnson 545-6621 9:00 am at QFC in Belfair
Quaint Pope Family-owned historic village. If coming from another direction, meet at the General Store at 10 a.m. and we will walk over to the trailhead, now that we know where it is! A nice, nearly level trail through the woods great for walking and talking. Bring a sack lunch and we’ll picnic at the beautiful site near the cemetery overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
AUGUST 29 MARMOT PASS Melinda Halvorson 471-9881
7:45 a.m. at Texaco 8:15 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
This trail is described in my hiking book as “the champagne walk of the Northeastern Olympics.” It goes through old growth and rhodies and large mossy boulders along the river. Destination Shelter Rock at 2.6 mi for lunch. Hikers going on to Marmot Pass (10.4 mi round trip) are in for gorgeous views and possible marmot viewings.
ALTERNATE HIKE: SOUTH INDIAN ISLAND Deborah Reis 898-6393 9:00 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
This Jefferson County maritime park trail leads hikers through a madrona/Douglas fir forest to a long sandy beach promising a look at seals and all kinds of birds, as well as a view of Mt. Rainier. It’s not far from Port Hadlock, but bring a lunch to picnic on the grassy bluff. Round trip 4 miles. Elevation gain 50 ft.
SEPTEMBER 5 DOSEWALLIPS Jane F. 877-0266 Kay P. 877-6723 9:00 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Since the road is still out, we’ll need to scramble on a new trail to reach the trailhead. We’ll follow the road to the abandoned ranger station. If it’s a beautiful day and you prefer walking instead of scrambling, consider joining your friends for the alternate hike, below:
ALTERNATE HIKE: DOSEWALLIPS STATE PARK TRAILS NEED LEADER!!!
9:30 a.m. at Hoodsport Visitor Center
Billed as a hike for both young and old, this 3.5 mile loop takes you through quiet stands of tall timber and tumbling creeks. Gradual elevation gain of 400 feet. Bring your lunch and eat in the park, or hold out for pie at Brinnon. “If no one takes this, I’ll lead it” Deborah 898-6393
SEPTEMBER 12 LAKE SYLVIA STATE PARK Deborah Reis 898-6393 9:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer
Discover Pass Required.
Hike around a lovely park near Montesano and see some of the largest flora anywhere. Bring a picnic to enjoy after hiking one or two of the 2-mile loops in this former logging camp. It has been a State Park since 1936.
SEPTEMBER 19-21 OVERNIGHT TO WHIDBEY ISLAND
Terri and Steve Saylor 432-0401 Save the date! Please note the overnight is scheduled for the third week in September (not the usual second week) to take advantage of lower rates. Plans include Ebey’s Landing, Fort Casey and Deception Pass. Lodging arrangements information will be sent out after Terri and Steve
scout the location in June. Stay tuned…
SEPTEMBER 26 MONTESANO HISTORIC HOMES WALKING TOUR Terri and Steve Saylor 432-0401
9:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer
Stroll through Montesano on a self-guided walking tour. Maps will be provided. Lunch at the Savory Faire, or bring your own.
OCTOBER 3 PLANNING MEETING/OLYMPIC VISTA Judy Board 898-2640 and Gordon & Janelle Personius 898-4538
9:30 a.m. at Texaco or 9:45 a.m. at Olympic Vista Clubhouse
Come to our annual planning meeting to organize the hiking schedule for next year. Hike with Judy at 10 or just bring your lunch to the Olympic Vista Clubhouse and be prepared to volunteer to lead a hike or two in 2013. We need all hands on deck, with planners in hand to make this work for all!
OCTOBER 10 HANSVILLE GREENWAY Deborah Reis (or new leader!!!) 898-6393 9:30 a.m at QFC in Belfair
Hike on an old logging rail bed through an emerging greenbelt. Bogs, lakes and a wildlife observation platform provide plenty of entertainment along the trail. Expect a 3.5 mile hike with an elevation gain of about 100 feet. Bring a lunch and we’ll find a picnic spot.
OCTOBER 17 PRIEST POINT PARK - OLYMPIA Jan McMullen 427-8087 9:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer
Drive to Priest Point Park in Olympia on Cooper Point Road. Explore and hike the trails in the Priest Point Park area. Bring a lunch.
OCTOBER 24 SEATTLE DAY TRIP – PIKE PLACE MARKET TOUR – LUNCH OUT
Valerie and Charles Johnson 545-6621
9:00 a.m. at QFC in Belfair am or meet at the Bremerton Ferry Terminal for 9:45 am departure (NOTE: We will be going on the ferry as foot passengers)
Plan your carpools with folks who want to return on the ferry you want to be on, and remember to bring small bills to pay for car parking in Bremerton. We’ll take a tour of Pike Place Market led by a professional tour guide, then have lunch at your choice of many Seattle eatery options. We will need a group of at least 10 people to go on the tour. The cost is $10.00 adult, $7.00 senior (55+), and can be paid in advance by credit card online at www.pikeplacemarketfoundation.org. If anyone plans to pay in advance online, please be sure to select “Market Heritage Tour” from the drop-down menu of options so they can confirm that a tour payment came through. Payment can also be made by check on the day of the trip, with checks made out to “The Market Foundation”. Cash payments are not accepted, and they do not make refunds on prepayments. The market tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. departing from the front entrance of the Market at Pike St & Pike Pl next to Rachael, the giant bronze pig statue.
OCTOBER 31 HALLOWE’EN SOUP PARTY/TWANOH HIKE
All Hands
Discover Pass Required.
Meet at Twanoh State Park at 9:45 a.m. Hike up the hill at 10:00 a.m. We’ll assign tasks at the planning meeting on October 3rd, so be prepared to help make our year end get-together a success. We need soup – one can each, not cream soup – and firewood, coffee pots. WT’s have bowls, plates, table coverings, etc. on hand. This year, why not dress up for the occasion???

