Practice Hike - North Fork Sauk River Trail

Last weekend we did our first practice hike.  The weather finally quit raining and we were able to test out our gear. 

Not knowing where to go, I called the Darrington Ranger Station and asked about a hike I saw online, the North Fork Sauk River Trail.  It looked appealing because it was about 5 miles to a campground, and another at about 3.5 miles (if we had to bail) and it only had an elevation gain of about 800 feet. 

So, we set out from home about 11am and after 17 miles on gravel roads, we got on the trail about 1:30.  The three of us strapped on our backpacks and up we went.  It was a forested hike, the only view is the one in the photo above.  About 2 miles up the trail, we stopped for a little break and a snack.  At the first campground, we stopped again for a break and a snack.  About 5:30, we finally got to our campground and our legs were aching. 

The hike was pleasant, along a river but not right next to the river.  There were noisy areas where the water was rushing through the rapids and quiet areas where it was a bit calmer.  We hiked through old growth forests, next to talus fields and forded streams.  We were passed by others hiking all the way up to Glacier Peak to go climbing or skiing. 

When we got to the campground, we setup the tent, fired up the stove and tried the reconstituted dried Beef Stroganoff.  We learned that if you don't stir it up, you get a serving of beef first, followed by a serving of noodles.

Exhausted, we went to bed early after a bit of reading and a card game.  The weather was good for sleeping, chilly but not cold.  We kept warm in our sleeping bags, even if the ground was a bit hard.  We were not exhausted the next day, so we must have gotten our rest.   

The way back on Sunday was easier, going downhill, but we still felt it in our hip flexors and hamstrings.  By the time we got to the car, we were stinky, tired, and ready to drive to Darrington for some food.  A burger and fries lasted until we got home.  We exhausted the dog so much that she slept for the next two days. 

It was difficult, but fun.  It's giving me second thoughts about the itinerary, since we'll be doing 5 miles on a short day and almost twice that much on the long days.  This may kill me yet.