Trail is in excellent condition up to Flapjack Lakes. If extending beyond to Gladys Divide (which I would highly recommend), there are a few spots with trees down. All are fairly easy to hop around/over, and I never felt as if I'd lose trail.
If you are doing this as a day hike, be sure to bring either a water filtration method (ample opportunities to filter fresh water), or plenty of water in bottles. I went through about 100 oz plus a 32 oz Gatorade due to the 90 degree weather.
Although I listed the bugs as an annoyance, that was only at Flapjack Lakes. 99% of the bugs I came across were flies, and I think I was only bit once by an actual mosquito. Thankfully, either I was lucky, or the flies weren't of the excessively biting type!
Water was incredibly warm for an alpine lake, and there are plenty of rocks to jump off of and climb back onto without damaging other parts of the shoreline.
Hike can be done at a moderate pace with picture, lunch, and water breaks in about 6-7 hours.
For more pictures, Instagram: neilstallings
Comments
Retired Tim on Gladys Divide, North Fork Skokomish River and Flapjack Lakes
Hi s4s. Thanks for the great report. Just have a question to aid me in my planning (I plan on this as a day hike soon). 6-7 hours round trip with breaks seems like you were cooking along pretty good (over 3 mph avg). Did you run any of the trail, and is it fairly flat for most of the hike? Also, did the 20 miles seem accurate (did you GPS it)? Again, just in the hike planning phase, and gathering information. Thanks again!
P.S. love the pics, especially the Silver City beer (I live in Silverdale WA).
Posted by:
Retired Tim on Aug 07, 2018 02:35 PM
search4solitude on Gladys Divide, North Fork Skokomish River and Flapjack Lakes
Sorry for the late response, don't check my email that often. The hike is mostly uphill the entire way. Nothing too steep, just a moderate, steady uphill. I don't run or jog, but I've been told I maintain a very quick pace. I didn't GPS it, but to be honest, it didn't seem like a true 20 miles. I have no clue, but if I HAD to guess, I would say 18 or so. GREAT hike though, especially if you are able to score an overnight permit for the lakes. Cheers!
Posted by:
search4solitude on Aug 12, 2018 05:48 PM
Retired Tim on Gladys Divide, North Fork Skokomish River and Flapjack Lakes
Thank you so much for the response!!!!! Looking forward to doing it as a day hike late August/early September. Take care, Tim
Posted by:
Retired Tim on Aug 12, 2018 05:52 PM