For more on Lake Crescent, see our Spruce Railroad Trail and Barnes Creek web pages.
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10/25/09 - Gray Skies, Silver Water

We tend to remember how Lake Crescent looks on a sunny day. There is nothing quite like the blue of that water, but autumn means more cloudy days, and that means the lake turns silver and the mountains are shrouded with clouds. It is hard to capture silver water on film, but sometimes, if the light is just right and you are in just the right place, you can almost get close.



Keywords: autumn, lake crescent

10/12/09 - Some Autumn Color on the Spruce Railroad Trail

The North Olympic Peninsula is not noted for its spectacular autumn colors, but this year, the trees, notably the maples, are doing their bit. We were on the Spruce Railroad Trail the other day and saw a lot of maples turning bright yellow. It's probably the cold nights. It also might be the brilliant blue of the lake's water. In fact, the maples all over the north peninsula are quite impressive this year.

Some maple color

The blue water

More color, more water

One of the spooky maples getting ready for Halloween

Bright red

Keywords: autumn, spruce railroad, lake crescent

08/30/09 - Mystery Worm

We saw this curious looking worm on the Spruce Railroad Trail along Lake Crescent. At least we think it was some kind of worm. It was wriggling along and not getting anywhere quickly.

UPDATE 07/16/10: According to Alena, this is most likely a lizard's tail. Apparently, they'll drop their tails to escape from predators. They'll sometimes wiggle for quite a while after being dropped.

Keywords: lake crescent, spruce railroad


A floating nurse log on Lake Crescent

08/01/09 - A Nurse Log Floating On Lake Crescent

We saw this nurse log floating on Lake Crescent. You can see the old log floating and at least one, and possibly two, new trees growing out of it. As for the origin and future of this floating island, we cannot say. Perhaps it will join the mainland, or perhaps it will remain a floating island, visited by kayakers and spotted now and then by hikers in the winter fog.

Keywords: lake crescent, science

06/13/09 - Seen at Lake Crescent

This duckling seems to be the last of the clutch, or perhaps it was as only egg.

Keywords: lake crescent, ducks

04/15/09 - First Flowering at Lake Crescent

If we seemed fixated on blossoms this season, blame it on the long winter and slow spring we've been having. The good news from the Spruce Railroad Trail along Lake Crescent is that the flowering currant is flowering, and the first paintbrush flowers are coming out in that sunny area near the footbridge.

Flowering currant, actually flowering

The first paintbrush of the season

Lake Crescent, as ever

Keywords: flowers, lake crescent, spring, spruce railroad

03/11/09 - Late Winter On The Spruce Railroad Trail

It was wintry this morning on the Spruce Railroad Trail along the north shore of Lake Crescent. On the way out, the trail was crunchy and covered with ice crystals, but otherwise quite passable. There was some melting in the heat of the day, such as it was. The trail was a bit muddy on the way back.

Even better, there were some great icicles as you can see in two of these pictures. There was an amazing set dangling from a tree branch down towards the lake and another set on one of the logs over a stream. The trail might have been cold, but again, it did not disappoint.

Icicles down by the lake

Icicles over a stream

Not much snow on the trail

Keywords: lake crescent, spruce railroad, winter

03/03/09 - First Salamander of the Season

Salamander season has officially stared out at Lake Crescent. We stepped over this little fellow towards the east end of the Spruce Railroad Trail.

Keywords: lake crescent, spruce railroad, animals, salamander

01/28/09 - Marymere Falls On Ice

We were at Marymere Falls for the first time in a while. The day was cold and there was snow on the ground. The waterfall was framed with ice as droplets of water splashed and froze as they hit the cold. Now and then a chunk of ice would break free, but otherwise all we could hear was the roar of the falls.

Keywords: lake crescent, winter, barnes creek

01/20/09 - Spruce Railroad Trail Update

We should mention that the Spruce Railroad Trail along the north side of Lake Crescent is in great shape. Aside from a downed tree here and there, the trail was easily passable, and the scenery was as wonderful as ever.

Keywords: lake crescent, spruce railroad

01/17/09 - A Report on the Spruce Railroad Trail

The snows have melted at Lake Crescent, and the Spruce Railroad Trail is in pretty good shape. There are a few trees down and the usual seasonal mud, but even the bicyclists seemed to be getting through quite nicely. After the snows of December, we are ready to enjoy the January thaw.

The water was definitely a bit high. This is usually a little gravel beach west of the Devil's punchbowl.

You can see just a touch of snow on Storm King.

The trail is in good shape, but there are a few trees down.

Keywords: lake crescent, spruce railroad, storm king

01/08/09 - Great Weather For Ducks

With all the rain and melt lately we have to admit it has been great weather for ducks. Here is a photo of some ducks enjoying the weather.

Some happy ducks

Keywords: birds, lake crescent, weather


We seem to post a picture of this tree every year. It's at the Devil's Punchbowl, a popular swimming spot.

11/04/08 - Lake Crescent

The Spruce Railroad Trail along the north shore of Lake Crescent is a gentle place. The hike is always calming. Lately we've been watching for signs of autumn, and for a while the changes have been subtle. This last hike, though, fall is breaking out in earnest. We don't get the fiery colors of a New England fall, but we do get some great golden maples.

Some autumn color

One of the things we like about the northwest is that things are always growing out of other things.

Keywords: autumn, lake crescent, spruce railroad

09/26/08 - The Adventure Trail

We've mentioned the Adventure Trail before. It runs from the start of the Lyre River at Lake Crescent and follows an old railroad grade for much of the way before meeting up with the Olympic Discovery Trail. We finally explored a bit of it, and it looks like a great bicycling trail. We walked, following the Lyre River. The river itself is only visible now and then. The trail runs along the valley wall, at least as far as we went. We didn't get very far, but we do plan a return visit. Maybe we'll get to Piedmont Road.

The trail itself

Rocks and ferns

The clear cut in dramatic light

Keywords: trails, lake crescent

06/13/08 - Flowers At Lake Crescent

Winter lingered a lot longer than we had hoped this year, so we've been desperately looking for signs of spring. Well, we've found some. For example, we have several nearly ripe strawberries in our yard. If anything, they're a bit early. On the Spruce Railroad Trail today, the roses were out along with a few other flowers that we should recognize by name, but didn't. For your enjoyment, here are a few pictures.



Keywords: flowers, spring, spruce railroad, lake crescent

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