LaCrosse Loop '15,  Olympic National Park,  Sep 10, 2015 - Sep 16, 2015     page 1 / 47

Each year, often in September, I head into the hills for several days of peace and solitude. This year was no different. I spent a week doing the loop around LaCrosse basin. Having never hiked in the Duckabush valley, I opted to enter and exit via that trail, which yielded some remarkable views.

I hit the trail around 11:00am, September 10. The day was sunny and forecast to remain that way for several days. I built up a good momentum for the Big Hump climb. The rest of my first day was easy, despite the neary 50-pound pack I was carrying.