Second day of WHW 2018. I am leading the 8 mile roundtrip to Ramsay Cascade. One of my favorites because of the creek, cascade and old growth forest. Our small group arrives at the trailhead on time. We meet Wendy, the photographer once again, and Randy. It is a nice walk along the old road for about a mile. Then we enter the woods. On my mind, is to check out the new footbridge across the creek. The old one was knocked out by a fallen tree. That incident closed the trail for almost a year. I can't wait to see the new bridge. The earlier one was the longest and highest log bridge in the park. As you can see, this new one is constructed using two logs and has a support midway. It has been moved about 50 feet from the original location. The new bridge is wonderfully built and is not dizzily high like the earlier one.
Great job building the new bridge
Old growth forest means there are lots of big trees. This tulip poplar is the largest we see today. Wendy just did not have her diameter tape today but did have a long rope which Randy used to measure the circumference. We all made bets on the circumference 20-28 feet. After measuring the rope later, it came in at 19'4". Wendy used a growth factor of 4.5 to determine an age of 295 years.
After 3 hours of hiking, we arrive at the cascade. Partially frozen today, we watch chucks of ice break off and plunge into the icy water, then make their way under an ice sheet, before hurtling further downcreek.
This is our lunch spot. It is mesmerizing and we gaze in awe for close to an hour.
The hike back is a fast backward rerun of the morning. Same trees amaze us. Same ferns. Same creek.
Once again, several of the photos here were taken by Wendy Fish. Thanks.
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