Thompson Family Hike Blog: August 4, 2013

Today we got an early start and headed back over the Narrows Bridge (all four of us this time) to head out to a new area and Twanoh State Park (pronounced "Tuh-wan-O"). This state park is situated on the Hood Canal, on the Kitsap Peninsula and is a camping park with a long salt-water shoreline and a nice picnic area. We didn't play much at the beach even though it looked enticing, but after an early lunch, turned instead to our hike of the day. The first half of the 2-3 mile loop-style trail followed the Twanoh Creek and then lofted us up the side of a hill to a level wooded mid-trail section. The last leg of the trail was a lengthy downward walk along the service access gravel road which ultimately winded us down the other side of the hill and back to the water and campground below. We met few fellow hikers along the way and felt we had the whole trail to ourselves. Claire made it most of the way on her own feet, but the downhill at the end was a bit much to ask of her, so she got treated to a piggy-back ride for the last 200-300 meters! Lucky Jess! Levi giggled and laughed and stayed awake the whole time.
Without a doubt, the most impressive element of this trail was the often-described "cathedral-like" image of those huge (and I mean big) Douglas Firs and Red Cedars at the foot of the hill along the creek; each one draped in the mossy altar clothes of lichen and moss. The perfect Sunday morning hike in the Pacific Northwest. All of this was lovely and serene until we were startled by a yelp coming from Claire, who almost stepped on a small frog on the path and screamed as it leapt away. Poor thing!