Gray River Backpacking

Zoe, Aliya, and Martin go to enjoy their first taste of true backpack camping. Definitely a bit more challenging than car camping, but more fun to be way out in the woods. We found an incredible campsite by the side of the Gray Wolf River on the Olympic Peninsula.
img_5692 First up, the ferry ride out to Bremerton. Amazingly it was warm enough to sit out on the upper deck and enjoy the evening sun.
First up, the ferry ride out to Bremerton. Amazingly it was warm enough to sit out on the upper deck and enjoy the evening sun.
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img_5704 Our first night was car camping at a nice USFS campground. Our site could have held at least 6 tents.
Our first night was car camping at a nice USFS campground. Our site could have held at least 6 tents.
img_5706 Maximizing style and class!
Maximizing style and class!
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img_5713 OK...now it's getting real. Everybody's getting their backpacks loaded up. Everybody, even the kids, had to carry their fair share.
OK...now it's getting real. Everybody's getting their backpacks loaded up. Everybody, even the kids, had to carry their fair share.
img_5718 Look how clean and happy everybody is. That's Michelle, Brian, Martin, Kathryn, Aliya, Gavin, Zoe, and Aidan. Zilly's somewhere about.
Look how clean and happy everybody is. That's Michelle, Brian, Martin, Kathryn, Aliya, Gavin, Zoe, and Aidan. Zilly's somewhere about.
img_5719 Gavin's first stop isn't more than 15' into the hike. Could be a long day at this rate.
Gavin's first stop isn't more than 15' into the hike. Could be a long day at this rate.
img_5720 Stop #2 and we've yet to reach the trailhead sign. But look at the mud!
Stop #2 and we've yet to reach the trailhead sign. But look at the mud!
img_5721 Studying where we're going on the Grey Wolf Trail.
Studying where we're going on the Grey Wolf Trail.
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img_5723 The start was a very mellow slope along an old, overgrown logging road.
The start was a very mellow slope along an old, overgrown logging road.
img_5724 Can you read Zoe's body language? Yep, it says "I'm tired and want to go home." Took some coaxing to get her going and Kathryn's stories ultimately saved the...
Can you read Zoe's body language? Yep, it says "I'm tired and want to go home." Took some coaxing to get her going and Kathryn's stories ultimately saved the…
img_5725 It's a tad bit damp here.
It's a tad bit damp here.
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