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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 26, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 26, 2020
 
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Bf i I7 Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 — Shelton-Mason County Journal Page A—39‘ 3-? ‘T'x The eastern bend of the Oxbow, where the South Fork Skokomish River cuts away at 30-foot cliffs hosting a pair of cherished camp sites. Jourrial photo Mark Woytowich Trail: Beloved location held in highest regard'by‘ locals continued from page A-37 campsites, not saying a word. “Oh, I’ve got to come back here,” he finally said, “this place is heav- en.” We ended up sitting on a log in the sunshine together, marveling at the raindrops and spider webs winking in the grass, and feeling the sonic mas- sage and contemplative tones of the river rushing along the cliffs. The low roar of the river as it passes on three sides is a big part of the essence of the Oxbow - it’s a contained bowl of Eden. NATURE’S CATHEDRAL Hold 'out your hand and stick up your thumb. Now imagine a river running around your thumb; that is the near-wheel shape of the Oxbow, a floodplain peninsula elevated enough to support about a dozen campsites fanning out like numbers on a dart board or the face of a clock. The South Fork Skokomish sweeps by, west to east, cutting 60-foot-high' cliffs opposite the campground. At about 12 on the clock, a flat, grassy knoll perches above a low bank leading to the river. Between three fire rings you have enough room to spread picnic blankets or put up half a dozen tents. The peninsula rises as the river moves east, and the campsites on the far side sit on 30-foot bluffs above deep swimming holes. Below the eastern- most camp site, the river churns a cir- cular whirlpool, with strong and frigid current, carving away the cliff, before it fans once again, growing shallow as it ril’fles off in the distance. THE HIKE, THE HISTORY There’s ample parking at the trail- head. But an iron gate ensures only feet, bikes or wagons go any farther. I would haul in some firewood if you plan on spending the night. Dead, fall- en trees are very few down here and . the driftwood, when dry, can be very large and difficult to bring up from the river. ‘ The trail is actually a former road bed. At one time this was a Forest Ser- vice car campground but a landslide took out the road. As usual, the Forest Service cut their losses rather than re- invest in'their recreational obligations, and, to further discourage human use, rangers recently took out the small latrine and iron fire rings at the last of the camp sites. No matter, this is a beloved loca- tion, held in the highest regard by locals who’ve been coming here for years. So, to continue, the road bed makes an easy, wide walk downward for less than'a mile- You glide gently onto the flat floodplain, gaining your first glimpse of the river at about 7 on the “thumb clock.” Note the giant old growth trees beached like blue whales at the river’s edge. The path, now level, takes you right into the campground, where it circles and allows you to choose which spoke on the wheel you’d like to have as your View of the river. From the grassy knoll of the com- mons (about 11 or 12), you enjoy the extra pleasure of watching and listen- ing to three separate waterfalls tum- bling from the cliffs across the river. While two are seasonal, one still trick- les through the summer, and a bulge in the bluffs at its base makes a great, yet safe, place for kids to climb and jump in the river below. Indeed, if you can tolerate cold wa- ter, the river here is full of gentle rap- ids and kid-safe water obstacles; for years parents have been bringing their children and allowing them‘ to float on air rafts or inner tubes. It takes about 30 minutes to chan- nel the river into an eddy, building up a rock divider. On a hot day you can have a “Northwest warm” bath in no time at all. How to get here? It’s in my book, but I’ll gladly give you the directions for free, provided you take the time to email me at the address below. This trail was 99.9% clean of all litter last ’ week. I intend it to stay that way. I Mark Woytowich is a writer, pho- tographer, video producer and author of “Where Waterfalls and Wild Things Are.” He lives in Potlatch with his “On the Trail” column appearing every oth- er week in the Shelton-Mason County Journal. Reach hiiri at his website, ' www.wherewaterfallsare.com, or by email at eyefive@hctc.com. Your local Tllles ALLYN | Case lnlet DAlE HIGH (rem 9M AM PM AM mmmmmmmmmmmm mammmmmmm mommmmmam mm mwmmmmm 12:02 . . 13.3 P" 7.9 7.35 4.24 13.0 12.7 12-24 E 1:24 [OW (FEET) lOW (FEET) SUN MOON 26 7 SHELTON 1 Oakland Bay DATE HIGH (FEED AM PM AM 9M 26 mmmmmnm 2' mmmmmmm 28 mmmmmmmmm 29 mmmmm-Im 3° mmmmmmmmm 1 mmmmmmmm 2 mmmmmmm UNION Hood Canal ' our HIGH (FEET) WWW—WT— 26 mmmmmmm 27 mmmmmmmmmm 28 mmmmmmmmmm 29 mmmm . ,..§‘3.‘, “7. r 30 SUN MOON lOW (FEET) SUN MOON Weekly Tide Tables Sponsored by WWWWWSMMIW lide tables have been transcribed and l (350) 426-0933 may contain errors.’ Not intended lor navigational use. Tidal Information Courtesy US Harbors.com VERLE’sf