Olympic Penninsula - Day 2

Contemplating the vastness

Leaving Deer Lake

Day 2 started at Deer Lake and ended at Clear Lake.  The trail was about 3.5 miles uphill to a junction and then 1.3 miles downhill into the 7 Lakes Basin.  Coming down the hill into the Basin we saw Round Lake, Lunch Lake and 2 bears!

In the morning hile packing up from Deer Lake, I was stung by a wasp!  Boy did that hurt!  I stuck my foot in the cold lake for 5 minutes, took some Benadryl and then tied up my boot!  It hurt a little at first but then difficulty of the hike outweighed the pain in my foot. By the evening the swelling was gone and there was no itchiness as long as I didn't touch it.
 

blueberry and huckleberry stains

All along the trail we stopped to eat blueberries and huckleberries.   They were abundant and delicious.

Susan and I had the same brand boots but hers were larger and men's because she has a giant bunion she has to work with. I was trying my new silk socks for the first time - which I loved (see the white socks). Susan uses old nylon knee highs instead!  We are a couple of beauties!

Moss in the creek on the way to Clear Lake

Our spot to get water at Clear Lake

Gobbling up the berries

Bear on the way into the 7 Lakes Basin

Deer at Clear Lake

Working on her bandana

Clear Lake at dusk

Our tent at Clear Lake

It wasn't too buggy but as long as we brought them, we wore them!

Huckleberries on the bottom, Blueberries on the top

Hiking into the basin

Lunch at Lunch Lake

Once we got into the Basin, we decided to stop at Lunch Lake for lunch before trudging on.  G and I enjoyed our highly envied backpacking chairs while eating cheese, crackers and an apple.

Shannon's husband gave her a card to open on the trail and it included this balloon.  It was so sweet.  He even addressed it to "Shannon, the red headed hiker".

Our camp spot

We had Clear Lake all to ourselves - even though someone came by in the lake afternoon for a skinny dip!  G kept making them uncomfortable by waving to them.

Clear Lake

We spent the afternoon reading, working on our bandanas and having our traditional tea time.  After dinner, we sat around and were entertained by Shannon's conversation starter book.  We were so distracted by it, we did not get ready for bed when it was still light out and had to scramble when it was dark and started raining!

It rained on and off that nite but we were nice and dry in our tents.

Round Lake on the left, Lunch Lake on the right

Wasp sting!

On the trail to 7 Lakes Basin