Badger Valley - Grand Valley Loop Hike

 We drove up to Olympic National Park past the Heart of the Hills Entrance up to Obstruction Road to hike the Badger Valley - Grand Valley Loop Hike. 8.8 miles with 2,400 ft loss/gain.

We stopped along Obstruction Road to admire this field of avalanche lilies with Hurricane Ridge in the background.

 We also saw a young buck among another field of avalanche lilies.

From the end of Obstruction Road, the trail follows the Grand Ridge Trail for 0.3 miles. There were some large patches of snow to cross over the trail here.

The top of the Badger Valley trail was covered in snow on a very steep slope. We took our time coming down this steep hill.

We heard lots of marmots whistling in the morning and did see one laying among the anemones.

We were very happy to reach the snowless trail entering the valley further down.

 The trail goes through many fields of wildflowers.

The hillsides were awash in color.

View looking further down Badger Valley.














Looking back up towards the trail start along Grand Ridge.

 We had a few obstacles, some downed trees over the trail, many creek crossings and this large snow patch obstructing the trail. All were fairly easy to get around.

 There was so much to enjoy, the wildflowers, the waterfalls from the snowmelt, the nearby peaks.













As we neared the junction where another trail descends into Badger Valley from Grand Ridge (about 1 mile into the hike), we walked around avcorner, and saw this black bear nearby. We started singing and he ran further away. Each time he stopped to look at us, we sang louder and off he ran.

 One of many streams to cross.

 Marshy area further down Badger Valley filled with bog orchids, elephanthead lousewort, shooting stars and more.

 There was also lots of cowslip parsley, tiger lilies,  and asters.

 Many butterflies flying around.











The last part of Badger Valley descends in the forest to a bridge crossing over Badger Creek about 2.8 miles from the trailhead.













Lots of water in Badger Creek. From here, the trail begins to climb up 800 ft over less than 2 miles to Grand Lake through the forest.

A single log bridge crosses over Grand Creek with a small waterfall below.

We found several places where water ran over the trail.

 There were lots of mosquitos along the wet potions of the trail and at the lake.


















There were also many woodland wildflowers and water loving plants along this part of the trail.

 A large frog swimming in the clear water.

 Grand Lake










The trail climbs more steeply after leaving Grand Lake.

 There were many fields of wildflowers in bloom along this portion of Grand Valley.

As the trail continued to climb, we could look back and see the lake below.

 Between the trees there were several meadows filled with blooming wildflowers.

 It seemed as if we walked through one garden after another.

We also had great views of the surrounding mountain ridges.


















There were still fields of avalanche lilies in bloom where the snow had recently melted as we continued up towards Lilian Ridge.















The nearby peaks seemed to grow taller as we hiked upward. Lots of waterfalls from the snowmelt.

 When I would think we were past the flowers, the trail would go by another meadow.

 After the steep switchbacks rise above the forest, the trail climbs a bit less steeply as it nears the top of Lilian Ridge.

 A large snow field near the top of Lilian Ridge, here we began to see Mt Olympus and the peaks along Hurricane Ridge.








Pano from the top of Lilian Ridge looking south:

From here the trail stays high through alpine fields,

 and views of the Olympics and Mt Olympus always in sight.

 Looking back along Lilian Ridge, Grand Valley now hidden from sight.

 The last section of the trail meanders up and down, going over some short snow fields towards the end of Obstruction Road,

 as we continued to have views of the Olympic peaks!

On the drive our, we saw a couple of fawns bounding down the road to follow their mother.













Some of the many variety of wildflowers we saw in bloom along this trail today: