Triple Header Event -The Duckabush River Trail, Dosewallips camp out and Oysters

This is intended to be a weekend with 3 specific and different features. One is an overnight car camp at a great state park along Hood Canal. This will be a mixer and will give us an opportunity to get an early start for the second part of the feature. Saturday after a good campsite breakfast, we will drive a short distance to the Duckabush River Trailhead. We will begin the backpack portion of this outing from here. Those who could not make it to the campground Friday can meet us at the trailhead as long as they are there by 9:00 AM to join in the second feature of the meetup. We will hike from the trailhead up the Duckabush River to 5 Mile Camp. It may be possible to see herds of elk or possibly a bear along the way if we are lucky. The hike is described by Karen Sykes of the Post Intellegencer as follows:

Duckabush River Trail offers lovely, secluded low-level winter hiking
By KAREN SYKES
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER
I often find myself hiking in the Olympics this time of year because there are so many low-elevation hikes to choose from and the trails are not crowded. It's a long drive but not too high a price to pay for the gift of a winter hike.
The Duckabush River hike has all these qualities -- it begins at a low elevation (the first five miles of trail are usually snow-free), it is lonesome and it is lovely.
The Duckabush River Trail is a long trail that eventually climbs to O'Neil Pass on the Grand Divide, but save the high country for summer, as the subalpine meadows are now deep in snow and avalanche danger is high.
The Duckabush River is fed by glaciers on Mount Duckabush, but the river is clear and swift, punctuated with rapids, cascades and large boulders and it is noisy. If you camp by the river, you won't know it's raining until you step out of the tent.
Getting there
Take Highway 101 to the Duckabush River Road, 3.5 miles south of Brinnon on Hood Canal. Drive the Duckabush River Road (Forest Road 2510) six miles to the trailhead (elevation 400 feet).
Trail detail
The first part of the trail is the continuation of the road, which is no longer maintained as a road. After climbing over Little Hump at 1.2 miles, the trail descends to the river and second-growth forest. The trail becomes scenic as it ascends the rocky buttress of Big Hump (1,700 feet). This is where the switchbacks begin.
Beyond Big Hump the trail gently descends to the river at Five Mile Camp (1,200 feet), a good place to end a winter hike. In summer, backpack all the way to O'Neil Pass (22.2 miles, elevation 4,950 feet). There are several good campsites along the way, and experienced backpackers can look at the map and plan variations, as Duckabush Trail intersects other trails.
Trail data
It is 10.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet to Five Mile Camp. Big Hump is also a good place to stop for lunch as there are views, and if it's a sunny day it's warmer than Five Mile Camp, which is usually in the shade.

The Washington Trails Association says: "in about 2 miles, the river comes into view. A half mile farther delivers you to an absolutely gorgeous spot where emerald giant cedars and firs hang over rows of chugging white water. For hikers hankering to hike the Hump, the trail twists and turns using tight switchbacks to ascend this valley obstacle. Thanks to a southern exposure, madrona and manzanita can be found scattered beneath the fir and hemlock. At about 3.5 miles, emerge onto a ledge with a spectacular view east down the river and out to the Cascades. To the south, impressive St. Peters Dome hovers over the Hump. More spectacular than the view, however, is the spring floral show. Come here in April for batches of fawn lilies lining the ledges. In May, the rhodies flaunt their blossoms. Feel like continuing? Encounter one more outcropping before cresting the Hump. Then, through impressive old growth, the way descends a much cooler north slope. In about 5.3 miles and after dropping 650 feet, the trail once again reaches the river level. Here, at a well-worn camping area near a series of impressive rapids, is a great spot to call it quits. Enjoy the view. Watch for darting dippers. Be sure to rest up, for you'll need to head over the Hump one more time before going home.

After the hike out Sunday morning, the Third feature of this event begins. For those who Like the beaches...no not the ones in Maui, we will return to the Dosewalups State Park. There will be a minus tide of about -2.1 at 2:20 PM. This is a magnificent example of an alluvial beach which can stretch over a quarter mile offshore on a very low tide. Millions of oysters ars exposed on the beach which if you are interested, can be collected. Clams are also available to dig if you choose. We will check for beach closures and any red tide alerts befor the weekend and let everyone know.

I will need a solid count of who will need a campsite for the friday nigh state park stay so I can reserve and pay for the campsites. I must make final reservations at least 28 days prior to the 16th of April so if you are interested, get your RSVP in by the 20th of March.

Since this is a fair distance away, let's try to carpool where ever possible.