This was our first family hiking trip to an Olympic Mountain following the arduous driving trip to San Jose two weeks earlier.  The Mt Townsend located Just below the Quilcene area, just outside of the Olympic National Park in the Northeast and part of the both Olympic National Forest next to Buckhorn Wilderness.  The Olympic National Park is 1 of 3 National Parks in the Washington State (other two are Ranier National Park and the North Cascades National park), and, in general,  the Park is surrounded by 6 different wilderness: Olympic National Forest, Buckhorn Wilderness, The Brothers Wilderness, Mount Skokomish Wilderness, Wonder Mountain Wilderness, and Colonel Bob Wilderness.  

Our family took the hike from the upper trailhead which was about 3000 ft gain in 4.1 mile stretch.  We completed the 8.2 miles round trip hike in 5 hours that included about 45 minute break for lunch and scenary at the summit.  Any hiking 1000 ft/mile elevation or 20% elevation grade is considered very steep and requires decent physical fitness.  The last 0.5 miles was indeed 20% grade.  All of us did quite well despite not having proper hiking equipment such as hiking shoes, clothes, hiking poles, backpacks, etc.  I was physically ready and, luckily, did not get any blisters.  My wife did very well but had one black toe probably due to improper shoes.  Both kids were in good physical shape.  They virtually ran up the steep hills but did complain that the hike was a bit too long.   Regardless, it was a good family outing and I enjoyed it tremendously, and looking forward to hiking more this year and on.

 

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