Church Creek — Saturday, Jun. 21, 2025

Hiked from east trailhead out of the Skokomish side. Road is passable but final stretch with the dips probably require a higher clearance vehicle. Trail in great shape with just a few downed trees to navigate. No one all day on a Saturday although rain was in forecast. I love this trail for it's BIG trees, mushrooms, wildflowers and wildlife. It did not disappoint us! Flowers from the beginning and frogs, slugs out on the trail with the wet conditions. Blueberry bushes as you drop down into the lake basin got us soaked but soon will be loaded with ripe berries! Saw a very large pile of bear poop...sure they are awaiting the ripe berries! Lots of bird activity. Salamander in the lake. Just a perfect day on an exceptional trail. Would love to know what was "attacking" the vine maple at the trailhead(see pic 3). I will post to iNaturalist but looks like some type of leaf penetration organism. It was beautiful!