Beware Aggressive Ground Hornets at O'Neill Camp
We were planning on spending the first night and last night at O'Neill Campground, but due to our late start spent the first night between Pony Bridge and O'Neill. The next day thinking I might use the privy at O'Neill, I was happy to see that someone had posted a handwritten note on the Board (on the spur trail before you arrive at the privy and campsites) that there were aggressive ground hornets. As someone who carries an Epi-Pen on my shoulder strap for anaphylaxis to bee stings, I was quite glad to see that post and turned around to head back up to the main trail where I had dropped my pack. My shovel and someone's note saved the day!
As we hiked on to the Enchanted Valley we encountered a number of hikers that had been stung at O'Neill, some multiple times, so Beware.
Other than that, the trail was in good shape, crossed many a dry creek, with ample water opportunities at No Name and near the river. We arrived at Enchanted Valley around 5 pm with many others already camped there and more arriving behind us. The river is quite low and the waterfalls are few. Despite the crowd, there were plenty of camp spots if you keep wandering down the past the chalet. A few campers camped in the river bed as there was plenty of room on the sand bars.
The trail from Enchanted Valley up to the O'Neill Trail cut-off had a few large blowdowns and one muddy slide area that was a bit tricky, but otherwise well-maintained. The sign to the World's Largest Western Hemlock is gone so pay attention to your mileage and look for a spur trail at 2 miles from Enchanted Valley.
Saw lots of elk scat and some bear scat, but never saw either, although our last morning camped on the river bed bluff at Enchanted Valley we heard a neighboring camper yell, "Bear coming through" twice, but we never saw the bear.
Found a really sweet campsite on the way out about a mile past O'Neill down toward the river. Highly recommended.
The gravel road was in great shape, and there were lots of people coming and going, a very popular hike.
Comments