PhilU

Hmmm.....nice. So to follow your example, next time I'll post an internet link that may or may not be reliable, or however you put it.

The wreckage at the yellow x and blue field is that of a Navy PV-1 Ventura that crashed on May 14th, 1943 with the loss of the entire crew of five. Not sure what to make of the stuff in the red field posted by PChaus.

Nice pic Pchaus. Friend of mine just informed me that a Navy PV-1 Ventura crashed on NE side of the mountain on May 14th, 1943 with the loss of the entire crew of five. I think that corresponds to the red area on your map. Case closed, it seems.

Thanks John, yep that's the one. Capt. Lucas. not to be confused with the F-102s that provided wreckage over by the Burke range. The search for Lucas was in the Skokomish valley (due to faint SAR beacon beeping) but the flight path was north of there over the Hoh, where it vanished from radar. if anyone knows of the location of plane wreckage on west/north side of Washington, let me know. I havent been able to find a confirmed source for that.

Anyone seen any? I read a brief note elsewhere that suggested there was some wreckage on the west side of Mt. Washington. Haven't been able to find any other official or unofficial reports to that effect. This relates to past investigation I've been involved with re: a downed F-102 from 1962. Evidence for it's final resting place is all over.... from Mt. Tom creek to the entire span of the southern Olympics: Wonder Mt/Skokomish area, etc. Needle in haystack.

Very cool, I've often eyed that spur trail off the main Skok trail, thanks for scouting. Sounds like overall it's pretty much a non-tech slog up to the top. Any idea if a route over towards Wagonwheel would make a good exit?

Looked pretty snowy from Gray Wolf ridge last weekend

Cool, thank you. PM sent

Almost a 5 year old TR but I figured I'd ask for more detail on that approach to mt Tom.

This guy is searching for jet crash site from 1962, SE Olympics. He is seeking help in his search: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11426&start=0

Very cool! How is the route to Dodger point? Straight-forward? Tricky?

Nice job! What did the ranger have to say, prior to your start and then upon return?

Sounds like a great trip. You got over to Elk basin by tracking around the lakes? Interesting, I tried that but stayed high on ridges above lakes: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15267&highlight=hagen+lake Didnt make it there in a day...but close.

Thing about those expedition accounts that amuses me is when the parties come upon hunter huts and other signs that others have gone there before .... for some time. Quinalt tribe pubs point out that inner Olympics were trade routes for many years. I'm not dismissing what they did, just think that they got a lot of press and hoopla, and made it harder than it could have been. I mean, trying to raft up the Elwha? pfffft.

You mentioned Mt Lincoln .... I'm curous about that trip. Did you go from east or west. From N Fk Skok trail?

I've been eyeing wagonwheel lake trail which gives access to ridges above mildred. never been there, just an idea.

In case you're still looking and don't scan wta.org, you can try this: http://www.wta.org/~wta/cgi-bin/wtaweb.pl?7+df+2004062111+time+trails+

Wow, nice report! A lot more interesting than my trip a few years ago, what with the snow and more extended peak climbing you did. That gully down to Royal Basin can be brutal!

I'm no climber but Church looked pretty hairy when I've viewed it from Wonder Mt. You might try tracking down a real nice guy named Larry on nwhikers.net. He's been there as well as everywhere else in the Olympics.

I went from Baldy to below Royal Basin a few years ago for a long dayhike. Can't comment on climbing the Needles or Walkinshaw but the Graywolf Ridge walk was awesome. I can post pictures once I figure out how to do that. In the meantime here's my long TR from wta.org: I went from Baldy to below Royal Basin a few years ago for a long dayhike. Can't comment on climbing the Needles or Walkinshaw but the Graywolf Ridge walk was awesome. Here's my long TR from wta.org: I did this loop as a big dayhike under cloudless skies. Access is easy, although lower road 2860 remains closed. Directions can be found at the USFS site, or Wood’s book. Spent the night at the end of road 2860-120, accessed off of 2860 with a right turn at the sign indicating two miles to the Upper Dungeness trailheads. 2860-120 can be driven for about 1.5 miles, ending near Mueller’s Creek. Upper Maynard Burn trail can be found by walking up nearly the full length of 2860-120. Alternatively, next to a ditch a few hundred feet past Mueller’s Creek is a well-established and steep trail that can be followed straight uphill to cross 2860-120 and continue uphill on the Upper Maynard Burn trail. This short-cut may save time. Upper Maynard Burn begins as a punishing trail straight up the ridge of Baldy Mt. Approximately 1.5 miles in is a remarkably flat, gravelly area to the north of the trail, well-suited for a campsite. The trail continues up the ridge at a more moderate grade until opening up to the expansive meadows at the head of Mueller Creek and tbe ridge between Baldy and Tyler. The trail fades out at this point, but one can simply ascend to the northeast false summit of Baldy and then on to the true summit at 6797 ft. The views are stupendous: Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, Mt Baker, Rainier, and St. Helens. Closer and to the east is the Buckhorn Peak/Marmot Pass area. Approximately 2.5 hours from car to true summit of Baldy with fast pace and minimal rest breaks. Beyond Baldy to the south is Gray Wolf Ridge, with the highest point at 7218, and ending past a 7076 peak. The ridge is not an easy walk. Between points it is a simple stroll for the most part, but ascending each peak more stenuous. The western slopes are relatively moderate in grade and descend to broad meadows, suggesting the possibility of excursions into the Gray Wolf valley. Much wind up on the ridge! The views only get better along the ridge. At 7218 is a great view. From this vantage, one can see the full extent of the Grand Ridge Trail between Deer Park and Obstruction Point, the Needles, and most of Royal Basin, as well as the northern and eastern views noted from Baldy. In this area I was able to view a helicopter hauling loads from Royal Basin to the Grand Pass area, and was then buzzed as they flew north. Past 7218 and over 7076 it is an easy walk to under the north slopes of Mt. Walkinshaw, where I headed down the steep talus slope. I descended the most moderate of the steep talus slopes between 7076 and Walkinshaw, generally following vegetation where possible. For some time I paralleled or went down the course of a stream/trickle, with vegetable belays courtesy of subalpine firs. I essentially followed the most obvious course downward and southward until this became tangled with cedar and slide alder and finally ended in a drop-off. At this point I skirted even further to the south to find more solid ground under big timber. My recommendation would be to make for this area of big timber while further upslope. Once in the big trees I clambered downhill until setting my abused and relieved feet on the Royal Basin Trail, headed downhill to the car.