Finding the Garden of Eden on the Duckabush
Come experience reverent awe at the most beautiful overlook in the Olympic National Forest! Sunday 7/7 or Saturday 7/20.
The first time I went to the Duckabush, it was early spring and pouring rain — the kind of rain that soaked to the skin within minutes.
It wasn’t terribly cold, but the wetness still penetrated enough to make me turn around after two miles. From that experience, I then harbored a bit of a grudge against the Duckabush and avoided it for many months. Then late last fall, I was practically dragged there by a strong call from the mountains, and while I did my best to resist it, I finally caved and headed back up the potholed road to the trailhead.
As it was a beautiful autumn day, my experience was very different! I retraced my steps to the river (2 miles in) and then kept going, called by an elusive mountain that kept peeking through the trees. It lured me up a switchbacked ascent to an overlook that quite literally took my breath away: sweeping, panoramic views of the eastern Olympics, bathed in late afternoon light. Distant waterfalls, glinting in the sun, cascaded over precipices and, right next to where I stood, a tiny stream leapt over the cliff face and created its own fairy falls.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I sat down on the rocky ledge and wept tears of joy. It felt like the Garden of Eden, and I was finally home.
So I am really excited to bring you there!
This Saturday, we’ll be doing those same 3 miles for a 6-mile round trip, combining a forested river valley walk with 0.4 miles of switchbacks to climb out of the valley and into views galore! We’ll have lunch (included) at the 3-mile point amidst epic views of Mount Jupiter and The Brothers and then return back down the valley.
This is an advanced beginner / intermediate trail with a fair amount of up/down and the aforementioned switchbacks to get up to the lookout. If you’re not an experienced hiker but you’re in decent hill-walking shape and can handle uneven terrain, you will be fine on this trail.
Duckabush Write & Hike Details
WHEN (2 options):
WHERE: Meet at Catkin Coffee in Quilcene to carpool to the trailhead.
BRING: A day pack, 2 liters of water, a notebook and pen, snacks and clothing layers. Hiking poles are useful if you have them; hiking boots are preferred but you can manage with sneakers.
COST: $75 includes a brown-bag lunch, trail navigation and writing facilitation.
HIKING DISTANCE & TERRAIN:
The Duckabush River Trail section we will be hiking is 3 miles of up/down well-maintained trail through second-growth forest, then a flat walk along the river, then a steep ascent for the last 0.4 miles to climb from the river valley up to Lunch Rock Lookout.
The total round trip is 6 miles and is recommended for those accustomed to walking varied terrain regularly.
As this is intended as a meditative hike, all are encouraged to go at their own pace and we will meet at intervals along the trail.
What happens on a Write & Hike?
As I am a soul and nature communicator, I tend to get messages about what's needed at each retreat, so I try to tailor according to the needs of the group (at both a conscious and soul level) as well as the places in nature we are visiting (they usually have messages to share with the group).
While every retreat is different, Write & Hike Retreats usually consist of the following:
The day of the retreat, we meet either to carpool or at the trailhead
We do some nature-communing exercises and sensory check-ins
We give the group writing prompts for the trail
We hike (or walk), sometimes as a group, sometimes individually (depending on individual preferences)
We share our writings and experiences in circle
I lead the group in some breathwork (as a means of connecting with Self and nature)
We have a little closing circle
What participants are saying about Write & Hikes:
“These retreats are helping me have the courage to find — and live — my soul purpose.”
“Carrie is a skilled facilitator who made everyone feel immediately at ease! The other women I met on our write and hike already feel like soul friends, even though we were all different ages.”
“Cannot recommend enough — joining the Write & Hike crew has changed my life.”