September 8, 2009, 2:55 pm
Recreation and solitude: Hikes, camping, river provide plenty of opportunities to escape
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.”
Yanase, who lives in Kent, had last visited Staircase about 15 years ago, and it was everything he remembered – except for a few giant trees that have fallen to windstorms and high water.
“It’s changed, but it’s still beautiful,” Yanase said. “And we’ve caught and released some nice trout.”
Many Staircase fans especially love the area in September and October, when there are even fewer visitors and the days are often clear and warm with cool nights.
