Submitted by Vettkja t3_10gj33v in Washington
Would February/March be a good time to backpack the Enchanted Valley trail, in the Olympics?
We’ve got three-season sleeping bags, a tent, and R4 Nemo tensors. But wondering if it would be either a. miserable or b. just flat out impossible with snow/ice/closures, etc.
Thanks!
Nope.
The weather will be probably be wet and cold. The trail will be in poor shape with blowdown, washouts, and missing footlogs.
Not sure it’d be any wetter or colder than anywhere else in Feb/March, but it would prob be muddier than hell. I do agree with Livenet on the likely blowdowns, etc. Would suggest calling to ask the rangers.
If you're looking to do something in ONP, anything on the coast is a viable option since it's all at sea level, just as long as the weather isn't stormy.
Winter. Google it.
I did look online. It said May to October was the “best” time to go. My question was more like, could two experienced hikers with 3-season equipment go outside of that time period.
I know, I was looking to do forest/hiking though. I’m actually from the area, Olympia, just never hiked the actual trail mentioned in the OP.
Oh that’s a good idea about calling, that hadn’t even occurred to me. Thanks!
Ah yeah, that’s kinda what I was thinking too. Any thoughts as to when it’d be safe trekking again, trail wise? Could we go in end March, for example? End April?
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Gotcha! So as far as the Enchanted Valley is concerned, there's still snow on the ground at the chalet through March, but the grounds are open for use if you're into that sort of backpacking experience.
(accidentally replied at first as a reply to your post, not this comment)
They’re always super helpful! They also rely a lot on trip reports from people to know recent conditions, so feel free to give them an update afterward, if there’s anything notable.
FWIW, I’d do this with 3-season gear (love my Tensor). It does melt out a little earlier than other places, but that can bring some mud.
Check the trip reports on the Washington Trails Association website . You can search by trail name and date of hike. There are 5 Enchanted Valley reports from March and April of 2022. You should be OK, weather permitting.
Okay cool, that’s really helpful information, thank you! We’ll “plan” for eve Mar then and check for snow at that time, too. Thank you :))
Awesome, thanks :))
Cool, that’s good to know! Ty
Thanks for that, I didn’t know that existed. Thank you!
Another resource is nwhikers.net . Plenty of trip reports but not not so precisely searchable,
[deleted] t1_j53mrlc wrote
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