Dosewallips: Through the Eyes of a Poet
I invite you to take a journey with me through these slides and experience the beauty and diversity of scenery available from the point of the washout, to the Dosewallips campground. In sharing this journey, it is my hope that you will be moved to take action to see that this area is set aside as a hiking trail, and that it alone provides access to the hikes available at higher elevations, thus protecting the existing forest ecosystem above that presently supports a great variety of wildlife.
My purpose in limiting the photographs to this region is to demonstrate the view that is exclusively accessible only on foot, by allowing the old road to revert to a trail that hugs the river. I have been to the spectacular Sunnybrook Meadows, and to Constance Pass, far above, to get to those greatly sought-after mountain views. In such a mindset, it is easy to view the forest below as a mere hindrance to get to where one wishes to go. I hope to demonstrate through these photographs that the 5 mile trek from the washout to the campground, holds its own special kind of beauty, and is deeply refreshing to the human spirit. The journey slows us down, helping us to consciously enter into a communion with the surrounding forest.
The first scene to greet the hiker is an unobstructed view of the river, with surrounding Douglas fir and maple, and mountains in the distance. In fall the deciduous trees add a lovely splash of color. The hike takes one along an overland trail above the washout, where one can continue to view the river below, while hiking through dense forest. It is common to find female grouse nesting along the old road, guarding nearby chicks. We have also seen (and photographed), deer, occasional elk, rabbits, mice, moles, voles, frogs, and a variety of birds. Once I saw a magnificent owl swoop down, and drop a feather, which I kept.
About 2.5 miles in, the hike gets pretty steep, but this takes us to the falls, which are breathtaking! It is my habit to stop here to catch my breath and admire the falls. Beyond this, one heads into denser forest, crossing a few bridges with smaller falls. There are a wide variety of wildflowers of every description, as well as several kinds of edible berries. We've seen rhododendrons, bead lilies, candysticks, Indian pipes, thistles, daisies, foxgloves, Indian paintbrush, buttercups, wild strawberries, columbines, bunchberries, and many other varieties.
At dawn, the sunglow on the river, and through the trees, is so exquisite, it looks surreal. Dippers can be seen bobbing up and down on river stones, and coots and ducks ride downstream with obvious enjoyment. Again, in the evening, at sunset, the water takes on surrealistic hues. I have seen the water turn pure gold at dusk. At night, the full moon sends beams into the tent, inviting me to step out and watch its reflection waver in the river. On moonless nights, the stars are plentiful. There is quiet here, solitude, serenity, and the longer one stays, the more this unique community of living things stirs the heart. For the writer, the artist, the poet, the yoga practitioner, the mediator, or a couple who simply wish to retreat from the endless stresses of city life to reaffirm their love, this forest environment offers a healing, and renewing respite. It is also a fine place for the spiritually minded to pray, and spend time contemplating God's creation, and our role as its caretakers. For those with families, it is a fine environment to introduce children to the wonderful world of nature. The experience will help them to be more balanced in body/mind/spirit. I hope you will make the journey yourself, and invite the forest and river to speak to you. You may be surprised at what you learn!
CarrieAnn Thunell
To read CarriAnn's poetry, please check her website The Nisqually Delta Review.
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