Port Ludlow Hiking Club

by John Fillers, Port Ludlow Hiking Club

The July and August Voice articles reported the demise, and then change up, of the Port Ludlow Hiking Club. In retrospect, the club was not dead; it was merely resting. After further thought, we concluded that the problem was not the club’s purpose of enjoying the outdoors. The problem was how the club operated to fulfill that purpose.

In the past, the club scheduled 26 hikes each year, one every other Friday. A six-month schedule listed 13 hikes and identified the hike leader/organizer for each one. That much activity no longer fits the lifestyle of many Hiking Club members, especially hike organizers, who had to commit up to six months in advance. Planning, organizing, and leading hikes every other week is simply too much.

Going forward, the Port Ludlow Hiking Club will remain much as it is today, but with fewer hikes and less advanced scheduling. Instead of hiking every other Friday, we will schedule one hike every other month. Rather than publishing a six-month schedule, we will announce each upcoming hike in the previous month’s Voice article and post it under the “SCHEDULE” tab on the club’s website portludlowhikingclub.com. All hikes will be held in even-numbered months (February, April, June, and so on), with announcements in the Voice appearing in the preceding months (January, March, May, and so on). This timing will give hikers enough notice to plan ahead and give hike organizers enough time to organize each hike.

Each Voice announcement will include the hike date and time, meeting location, hike location, hike description, what to bring, and other important details. Most importantly, it will include the Hiking Club RSVP email address portludlowhikingclub@gmail.com. All hikers should RSVP so the hike organizer knows how many people to expect, since group size may affect how the hike is organized.

The Next Hike

Thursday, October 15 – Lower Big Quilcene River

The Lower Big Quilcene River Trail covers 10.2 miles round trip and gains 800 feet in elevation. Hikers who prefer a shorter route can turn back at Bark Shanty Camp, a scenic riverside stop about 2.7 miles from the trailhead. That option reduces the hike to 5.4 miles round trip with less than 600 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well maintained, easy to follow, and offers frequent views of the river.

Meet at the Bridge Deck in Port Ludlow at 8:15 a.m. The hike organizer will share directions to the trailhead and assist with carpools. To find the Bridge Deck location, visit portludlowhikingclub.com and select the “ABOUT” tab. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the river. Vault toilets are available at the trailhead, dogs are allowed on the trail, and a Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful/National Parks Pass) is required.

Please RSVP at portludlowhikingclub@gmail.com if you plan to hike, so the organizer can anticipate the group size and adjust plans as needed.

Local Hikes

Timberton Loop: Walk the 4.2-mile Timberton Loop Trail and enjoy views of the forest and the Olympic Mountains. This no-leader hike meets every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Timberton trailhead parking lot on Timberton Drive.

Old Cart Path Loop: Walk the 2.8-mile Old Cart Path Loop and enjoy views of the forest and the abandoned fairways. This no-leader hike meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 a.m. at the golf club parking lot.

For more hiking information go to portludlowhikingclub.com. The website offers descriptions and pictures of previous hikes, a trail map of all the Port Ludlow Trails, a description of the next scheduled hike and a contact page so you can get additional information.