Western WA in Early March - What's Open?

[Stearmandriver]

Hi all, nice forum!

I'm looking at a multi-day hike, probably solo, in the NW in the first week of March. Schedule is unfortunately pretty fixed this time.

All my hiking out there has been in high summer. Obviously this question will depend on what kind of winter they get, but speaking generally (assuming an average winter) can anyone recommend some good routes around one of the big mountains that'll probably be open (permit-wise and weather-wise) in early March? I'd like to avoid lugging ice axe and crampons, if that's even possible this time of year. Altitude gain and mileage aren't really the priority, just peace, quiet, and some nice scenery.

Coastal hikes would be great too, or the Olympics, but I'm assuming they'll probably still be very wet in early March. I don't mind wet, but I'd rather not do a solid week of it. ;) But feel free to tell me I'm wrong!

This is a very preliminary planning stage, so I don't have any info about permits etc yet. I'm first just trying to pin down an area to focus on. I was thinking out by Mt. Adams it might be a little drier? Anyhow, I'm hoping someone experienced with the area that time of year could chime in.

Thanks much!
Joe

[natchez]

Hey Joe, welcome to the forum :) I hope (a) member(s) having experience hiking there will advise you soon.

[navyshooter]

Joe, plan on pretty much non-stop rain, unfortunately. That's one of the rainiest months of the year in the pacific nw. Especially wetern wa. Most snow should be gone by March in a normal winter, but this looks to be colder than most, if what I see on tv is true. I'm outta the country right now, so can't say for sure. But according to my wife, we are already seeing cold weather in Oregon ealier than normal this year. Just my two pence!
Cheers, Jim

[jer]

Joe,

I have to agree with Jim that March is going to be wet. Last year the snow didn't melt out of the higher elevations in the Cascades until early June. If you're looking for unique mountain scenery, check out the Hoh River trail in the Olympics.

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/hoh-river-trail.htm

The trail is generally flat and you can follow it for 13 miles before hitting any elevation, which will put you into snow. You'll get views of Mt. Olympus for sure, which is an impressive sight indeed.

The trail follows the river through protected temperate rain forests that contain vegetation and wildlife that you can't find any where else in the world. Also, there is a herd of Roosevelt elk that inhabit this area and have been known to frequent Lewis Meadows (which is along the way). I did this hike about 3 years ago in April, which was before any maintenance crews had been out so in March you may find yourself having to scramble over some downed trees and portions of washed out trail. The up side is that there will be very few people around. Call the Olympic National Park Ranger station for more details and trail conditions.

Pack your rain gear!

Jer
www.hikingwithmybrother.com<br><br>Post edited by: jer, at: 2009/01/31 06:47

[Stearmandriver]

Thanks Jer!

I was initially looking for a longer trip, around a week, and I didn't want to be wet the WHOLE time, so I was writing off the rainforests. Now I've scaled back to just a few days, so I'll definitely take a look at the Hoh trail. I can do rain for a few days, anyway. It's not occasional rain or drizzle that bothers me, but non-stop driving rain, like if I catch a storm coming in. Guess that can happen any time though.

I've hiked the Quinault rainforest, and the beach around Forks / La Push, so I've driven by the Hoh many times but never gotten to see it yet.

Thanks for the idea...
Joe