Tubal Cain Mine, Tubal Cain Mine to Buckhorn Lake — Saturday, Jun. 16, 2012

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Brooklake Hikers (5 of us) hit the Tubal Cain Mine trail by around 10:30 AM. Lots of Rhodies in bloom along the road on drive in as well as Columbine and Paintbrush in bloom. Only a few Rhodies in bloom on early part of trail, the rest are 2 to 3 weeks out. We hiked to area of mines & elected to cross Copper Creek & continue up to open hillside to west. Trail switchbacks then heads southwest. We stopped short of Buckhorn Lake by a mile or so. Several parties coming from that direction told us none of them had made the lake. Snow gets pretty deep before the lake. Some wildflowers in bloom on open slopes, Paintbrush, Phlox, Blue Marsh Violet, etc. Great views of Mt Buckhorn, Iron Mountain, and other area peaks from there. After lunch we headed back down to check out the mines. Mine shaft at top of big scree pile east of campground. Water coming out of mine shaft about 1/2 foot deep. We tiptoed in a ways & checked out tunnel w/ headlamps. Returned to main trail & later 4 of the 5 in our group went on spur trail to Tull Canyon (small sign at fork). A Wannabe Mine shaft is just past the trail fork & only goes into the mountainside about 15 to 20 yards. We continued on the very steep Tull Canyon trail for (what seemed longer than) about 0.7 mile. We then arrived, after a creek crossing, at the wreckage of a B-17 bomber plane crash from 1952. A sombering scene, I guess 3 of the 8 people on board died. Nice views of more snow-capped peaks at south end of canyon. We explored for awhile before going back. For those that love history, lots here. We logged about 12 to 13 miles total on the day. No bugs. Finished off the day w/ the best greasy burger on Hwy 101 - Fat Smitty's. I'll sleep good tonight!