For the 4th of July this year my very manly husband went on his annual man hike to Mildred Lakes (in the Olympic Peninsula). Each year the man-hike participants vary. Last year it was Kevin and his good friend Doug; this year, Kevin and his dad. But, the degree of manliness remains the same.
The hike is basically a grueling goat hike. It's only about 4 1/2 miles one way, but the terrain is rough and very steep. You'll see in some of the pictures (although I hear they don't do justice) that there are parts where the guys are climbing straight up tree roots. Add to that very heavy packs (53 pound for my father-in-law and 70 pounds for my hubby) and it's a pretty intense hike.
Why, you might ask, would anyone want to go on such a backbreaking hike? Well, other than to prove manliness, it's really a very simple answer ... the FISHING! Yep, the fact that this is such a tough hike to get through means that the three lakes at the end of the trail are mostly untouched by other fishermen. Apparently that's a big deal;)
Seriously, though, they had a great time and I'm sure the man hike will make the list for next year's exciting summer plans. What Kevin really can't wait for, though, is the day when he can take his boys on the man hike with him.
All geared up
Just couldn't leave behind the float tube, fins, waders, Rambo knife, etc. BTW, the knife model (since my husband assures me that people will want to know) is a Busse NMSFNO Nuclear Meltdown Special Forces Natural Outlaw. Believe it or not, both father & son carry them. No real surprise actually to most who know them well. Oh, and I should probably re-emphasize that the pack indeed weighed in at just over 70 lbs. What a man!
Where's Dad Dueck's knife? I'm sure it's there somewhere. I think it goes without saying, that he could effectively blend into any desert.
Gotta love technology ... no, it's not a cell phone
Where exactly is the trail?
Father & son matching hammock tents
The hike is basically a grueling goat hike. It's only about 4 1/2 miles one way, but the terrain is rough and very steep. You'll see in some of the pictures (although I hear they don't do justice) that there are parts where the guys are climbing straight up tree roots. Add to that very heavy packs (53 pound for my father-in-law and 70 pounds for my hubby) and it's a pretty intense hike.
Why, you might ask, would anyone want to go on such a backbreaking hike? Well, other than to prove manliness, it's really a very simple answer ... the FISHING! Yep, the fact that this is such a tough hike to get through means that the three lakes at the end of the trail are mostly untouched by other fishermen. Apparently that's a big deal;)
Seriously, though, they had a great time and I'm sure the man hike will make the list for next year's exciting summer plans. What Kevin really can't wait for, though, is the day when he can take his boys on the man hike with him.
A little trail head info. for those interested
All geared up
Just couldn't leave behind the float tube, fins, waders, Rambo knife, etc. BTW, the knife model (since my husband assures me that people will want to know) is a Busse NMSFNO Nuclear Meltdown Special Forces Natural Outlaw. Believe it or not, both father & son carry them. No real surprise actually to most who know them well. Oh, and I should probably re-emphasize that the pack indeed weighed in at just over 70 lbs. What a man!
Where's Dad Dueck's knife? I'm sure it's there somewhere. I think it goes without saying, that he could effectively blend into any desert.
Gotta love technology ... no, it's not a cell phone
Where exactly is the trail?
Father & son matching hammock tents
Huckleberry Creek--about mid-way through the hike and where they camped the first night.
Yeah, that looks tough! The pictures don't do justice do the "vertical-ness" (if I can use that as a word) of the descent
Apparently it's about a 50-foot ravine
Root ladders. I hear there were tons of them!
Again, does anyone actually see a trail?
Gorgeous!
Oh yeah, unlike the beautiful weather the year before, our cool summer made for a chilly trip
One of the great fishing lakes
They camped out on the tip of a small peninsula at one of the lakes with the best fishing
What's for dinner, Pops?
Wow. Looks like the sun came out. Kevin did mention that this was one of his favorite moments of the trip. The sun was shining momentarily and a large bald-headed eagle swooped by overhead and circled the lake looking for fish. He didn't see it catch anything but I guess it was a marvelous sight!
Preferred method of fishing ... the fly rod
Nice!
Aren't they pretty! Beautiful cutthroat trout
Trekking out
Are we exhausted yet?
Yeah, that looks tough! The pictures don't do justice do the "vertical-ness" (if I can use that as a word) of the descent
Apparently it's about a 50-foot ravine
Root ladders. I hear there were tons of them!
Again, does anyone actually see a trail?
Gorgeous!
Oh yeah, unlike the beautiful weather the year before, our cool summer made for a chilly trip
One of the great fishing lakes
They camped out on the tip of a small peninsula at one of the lakes with the best fishing What's for dinner, Pops?
Wow. Looks like the sun came out. Kevin did mention that this was one of his favorite moments of the trip. The sun was shining momentarily and a large bald-headed eagle swooped by overhead and circled the lake looking for fish. He didn't see it catch anything but I guess it was a marvelous sight!
Preferred method of fishing ... the fly rod
Nice!
Aren't they pretty! Beautiful cutthroat trout
Trekking out
Are we exhausted yet?
Nice Job Kevin!! That does look like a manly hike...that works well for the men... :) Glad everything went well :)
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