hagen

Hagen Lake

~ Olympic Mountains ~

July 1995

Here, we encountered the Great Stone Arrow (situated under the shadow of Mt. Stone) so called by the rocks placed in the heather pointing the way as a directional sign. We took a much needed break from the grind of toting heavy 5-day packs. And I really needed one, having worked the previous night thus attaining little sleep. Lunch was had, too. However, onward we trekked to my disdain, for Hagen Lake looked like an inviting camp to me . . . one where I could catch up on some much needed zzz's. My two pals (Mark Boyle and Glen Lee) would have none of it, so across Mt. Hopper we went, myself half asleep.

Enter Mt. Hopper Way Route:

We traversed the ridge high in the alpenland between the Skokomish River, Hagen Lakes, and climbed over Mt. Hopper 6,114'. The view into Elk Basin and the Crazy Creek drainage was spectacular, ceratinly an elk paradise by the sign we saw. Along the route, several times, I had to sit down and take in the grand view of the desolate drainage and the wild surroundings at hand: Mt. Skokomish stuck out like a sore thumb projecting spectacular wild beauty. Onward we trekked, to First Divide 4,688'. . . a pass or divide at the head of the North Fork Skokomish and the Duckabush River drainage. Here, we encountered a real trail of all things.....grin. Several nice camp sites were located here on the pass and I at this time really needed a "rested" overhaul. But Glen wanted to go on and was insistant on doing so, and downward we hiked into the valley of Home Sweet Home, where finally we made camp just shortly before dusk . . . it had been one long "ass" day! But what grand country this be, this alpine zone, the land of the free at roam.

KJM

(McPilchuck)