September, 2024
The elk sure were exciting and wonderful to see on my very first day here. But on the second day that I was here, they didn’t come back. Hmm, what’s with that?
So today I went for a walk to explore more of the campground than I had explored seven years ago on my first visit here in 2017. In the map image below, I had already explored the area to the right, campsites out along the Dosewallips River. Today I explored areas I hadn’t been to before … the two areas to the left of the main campground (A and B), and then I went for a walk under highway 101 (area marked with a red C) to explore the Dosewallips River there. [Note … ok, so I have to stop calling it the “Dosewallips River” … no one here calls it that … they all simply say “the Dosey”. Also … on the map image below, my campsite is marked with a big red DOT].
Area A (below) was interesting. The far end of it was a storage area used by park employees for outdoor storage of all manner of stuff. In the image below, there’s a pile of large rock gravel on the left, then a small pile of sandy gravel in the middle, then some large tree trunk chunks and some large concrete slabs off to the right.
Behind the gravel in the photo above were a good number of picnic tables in need of repair, and one 10-12 foot long metal bridge with green railings … all of this was piled back here for future use.
Then further to the right there were more chunks of tree trunks and branches. The state park sells firewood, so I bet this wood will be cut up for sale. Lots of it is from trees and branches that are blown down in winds/storms, but some from of it results from clearing land for campsites and trails.
Further to the right yet, was a pile of LARGE rocks/boulders. I noticed one access road that had been shut off by placement of large boulders across the road. You could still hike back in, but could no longer drive back in.
At the very far left end of area A was this sign below. Well, ok, let’s go see some of the Maple Valley Trail.
Not only was this the time of year for elk to be in the area, but it was close to the time when bear would return occasionally to the area. I had my bear spray with me, but still I didn’t continue further on that trail, especially since I hadn’t seen another human being anywhere in this area. So I headed back.
After passing back through area A, I found area B that I hadn’t known existed! It’s a walk-in tent-only camping area. No electrical hookups, just a large area for tents, including a few spots in among the trees for tents as well.
There was a gravel road that led into that tent area, but there was no room for parking. As I walked out of the tent area and then back towards the main campground, I came upon three or four cabins … that is why there’s a road into this area (and I suppose for campground employees to get trucks into the area to clean and maintain the area, empty garbage cans, etc.
The location of each cabin, nestled in among the trees, was wonderful. Each cabin had parking for two vehicles, or one vehicle and one small RV/trailer (you’ll notice the electrical pedestal in the photo below). There was also room right next to each cabin to pitch a tent.
That first cabin was obviously empty, so I walked up onto the porch and peered in the windows. Sleeping accommodations for 5 … but no bathroom, and no cooking facilities, and no water inside. Each cabin had a fire pit outside. There were restrooms/showers not far away (they were used by the tent-only folks too). You will notice, however, that there is a heat pump outside this cabin for heat and cooling/air-conditioning. And there were electrical outlets inside the cabins as well.
Then I really did walk back to the main campground, but I still had time before lunch so I walked over to the area with the red C in the map image above … which meant I walked under highway 101.
Below, looking to the left, up river.
Below, looking to the right, down river.
My camping trip here back in 2017 just happened to be during the salmon spawning season. I had hoped to see more of the same during this trip. Perfect timing. 🙂 Here are three short videos that I took while walking along the Dosey. Feel free to click on YouTube and watch the videos there; I think the clarity is a bit better than with WordPress. And click on the square-sort-of-thing on the lower right to enlarge it to full screen. If you do watch them on YouTube, you’ll have to come back here after each one in order to watch the next one.
The road noise is from highway 101.
And then it was time for lunch, so I walked back to Towhee the Trailer and the big white truck. Both were waiting patiently for my return.
That was a nice, easy morning. No excitement, just interesting places to explore and things to see. I like that. 🙂
The elk didn’t come back today? Clarice and Henry must have needed a day to work out some issues. I hope that got settled nicely. Interesting info about the workings of a campground. How much more work must happen to make a campground like this? Most people just see the nice stuff, the finished stuff. Great photos and videos. Thank you!
Indeed, it seems the “background” work is often not seen or realized by people who aren’t familiar with processes or professions. I enjoyed being able to see some of the things that happen to make a campground. There’s lots more I’m sure! And yes, let’s hope Clarice and Henry worked things out. 🙂 Nice comment Babe.
That state park is huge! The campsites don’t take up but a small part of it, mostly the place is trails and such, uphill in the woods? No wonder they need a place to store stuff. That was interesting, we’ve never explored our state parks or campgrounds like you do. Really cool.
Yes, Marge, most of the land in this state park is up in the hills, in the woods, with trails you can hike, but also with elk and bear up there at certain times of year. I think most Washington state parks are just campgrounds and/or day-use areas, but this one is large as are a few others in Washington. Fun to explore. 🙂
Glad the bears didn’t get you. I’ve never been camping. Love your photos and stories, parts of this world that I’ll never see.
I follow a few blogs/vlogs of things and places I’ll never see, Tina. It’s such a wonderful way to see the world.
Fish spawning photos are great.
Thank you!
A nice campground. I can see if the salmon are running why the bears might make a trip back! I’d like the walk-in tent sights…and those cabins might be the best compromise for someone who is married to someone who won’t sleep in a tent! (me)
The cabins were really attractive … indoor accommodations, and a place to pitch a tent, and a place to park a small RV/trailer. Yep, great options for a variety of great folks. 🙂
Nice cabins tho I don’t know four other people that I’d like to sleep with! so to speak. 🙂
Especially without a bathroom. Gorgeous forest country!
Ha! I rather had the same reaction, Nevada. Do I know four other people that I would be comfortable being that close to in that cabin? Hmmmm.
I love your explorations, your desire to learn. And your safety … no bears! 🙂
I can’t imagine life without learning, Sesapa. And I can’t imagine life without bears, and wolves, and elk, all of us. 🙂
2 or 3 times a year we rent a small place on the coast right next to the beach with a view of the sunset out over the Pacific Ocean. We have two favorite places. We notice most other people just sit on the porch or on the beach for 3 or 4 days, they never go anywhere. That would drive us nuts, we like to explore, like you do. Even tho we’ve been to the same places many times, we always find something new to see or do in the nearby towns or up and down the beach. And then in the evening we sit and watch the sunset. 🙂 We’ve never stayed in a cabin in the woods, but it looks cozy with the woods all around you.
Oh my word, that beach-front rental sounds divine, M! I’ve noticed the same with many campers … they just sit … ok, maybe they are stressed out and need that! But gosh, I want to go and see and do and chat with folks and learn. And then at the end of the day, like you folks, I sit and enjoy. The woods are cozy! A view from my trailer is wonderful, but just being in the woods is so cozy. 🙂
I don’t comment often, but I sure enjoy your blog. Thank you!
You are so welcome, Lisa. I like that you’re here. 🙂
Interesting pile of picnic tables that need repair. Looks like all of them are heavy, heavy concrete. Those are really hard to move if you need to move one. The wooden ones are so much lighter so you can move them closer to the campfire or out of the way so you can pitch a tent, etc. I’m not surprised those concrete ones haven’t been repaired. We rarely see them anymore up here in BC. The ones used here are mostly like the table in image #11 above (the map is image #1), with a steel frame and wooden benches and tabletop. Wonderful photos and videos, thank you! 🙂
Janey
Oh, I hadn’t thought about the troublesome heavy concrete structure of the picnic tables. But I agree, Janey, they are heavy and almost impossible to move. That lighter weight picnic table in image #11 was in the tent-only area. There are some concrete tables still in this campground, tho they seem to be replacing them with the lighter-weight ones. But still I’m seeing lots of those concrete tables here and in other campgrounds too. Canada can teach us some things! (in many ways). Thanks Janey. 🙂