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Nearly got stranded on the Hoh River Trail after a log crossing washed out
I was 8 miles in on the Hoh River Trail in Olympic National Park last October when a log bridge I used on the way in was gone after a sudden rain swell. Spent 2 hours scrambling upriver through thick brush to find a safe spot to cross, and my feet were soaked for the rest of the trip. Any tips for checking trail conditions before heading into a remote area with creek crossings?
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jade_grant9515d ago
Jeez, a log washing out behind you like that is just plain terrifying. I've done that trail a few times and those crossings always make me nervous, but I never thought about one disappearing completely while I was on the other side. Did you have a backup plan like a map of alternative routes or maybe a satellite messenger in case you got stuck? I always check the park's trail conditions page before I go, but for remote stuff I've started calling the ranger station directly a day before to ask about recent weather and washouts.
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skyler_kim1515d ago
Man that's a good point, I actually read something the other day about how important it is to have a backup plan for remote trails. @jade_grant95 you're smart to call the ranger station directly, those trail condition pages online can be days out of date sometimes. I've heard stories of people getting stranded because they relied on old info and a crossing got wiped out overnight. A satellite messenger seems like a solid idea too, even if it's just for peace of mind. I've been thinking about getting one for my own trips after hearing about a hiker who had to wait two days for help because their phone had no signal. Planning ahead like you're doing is the way to go, it's better to be over prepared than stuck on the wrong side of a washed out creek.
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