September 3, 2009, 3:29 pm
Ancient stands of cedar and Douglas fir shroud steep ridges and shade trails that snake far into wilderness.
The North Fork Skokomish River flows in shades of green, blue and jade – and wild rainbow and bull trout fin in the deep pools.
Ospreys hover overhead as campers pitch tents or ease trailers into spacious, tree-shaded spots that overlook the clear, rushing river.
Staircase, an out-of-the way spot at the dead end of a gravel road, seems like a long, long way from the bustling Puget Sound, but this low-key, Olympic National Park paradise is just 54 miles from Olympia.
It just seems a lot farther away.
And that was just fine with Lisa-Marie Sonia and Ross Yanase, who pitched their tent a short cast away from the North Fork Skokomish River for a few days.
“We love it here. It’s just great,” Sonia said as she relaxed in her camp chair. “It’s beautiful, and we’ve met some great people.”
