Elwha Basin / Martins Lakes '13,  Olympic National Park,  Sep 17, 2013 - Sep 22, 2013     page 35 / 113

Day three was forecast as my "best weather" day. Day four was expected to turn sour with rain. I got an early start, hitting the trail at 7:25am. I considered leaving the trail, then working my way through the woods to the ridge north, the following that ridge all the was to the summit of Mt Barnes. (This route is documented in Olympic Mountain Rescue's Climbers Guide to the Olympic Mountains.) I looked for apparent game trails which might provide an easy route up, but didn't see anything obvious.

I continued along the Elwha trail. It was easier to follow than when Tom and I hiked it in 2007. The log jam which hampered our progress was no issue. The trail easily bypasses this area.

It took about an hour to reach the river crossing. Incidentally, there are two or three good campsites in the woods here.