Scoping out Nude Camping Areas

How about an open invitation to plan a nude camping get-together in the next few weeks?

Option #1:  A rustic campground alongside the Beckler River

This campsite is about six and a half miles in along the Beckler River Road just east of Skykomish, WA.  The site is comprised of three tenting areas in very close proximity to each other.  Access is via a loop dirt track from the paved road . . . a few hundred feet into the treeline toward the river.

Once claimed, privacy is pretty much assured by the forest shrouding the campsites from the main  road.  All campsites front on the Beckler River with ample flat area for two to three tents each.

Little sand on the beach . . . mainly river rock and boulders attesting to the vigorous flow rate of this river, despite its' size.  There is a network of trails and open canopy to enjoy short strolls a'la natural, or more intense nude hiking opportunities nearby.

Option #2:  A "Secret Beach" Campsite along the Rapid River

Site # 2 explored, is what I call my 'Secret Beach' because there is no obvious turnout of indication of a trail . . . only a hint of the beach through fall and winter foliage to make it out from the road.  It takes a little bit of a scrabble down the embankment from the road to reach the beach . . . and sometimes a little wading, but it is well worth it.

This beach is perfect for camping because the flat area is located a couple of feet higher than the river and is covered with a deep blanket of spongy moss.  At the northern end is a sandy area to enjoy.

The beach is located 1.7 miles along FS 6250 (the FS road alongside the Rapid River).

Option #3:  Pack it in and up on FS6028 for some great vistas

The last option is not so much a car camping option as it is an option for some great, extended freehiking.  The FS road is gated just off of Hwy 2 . . . so any camping is going to require you to hike everything in for a couple of miles.  There are a couple of good tenting areas with great vistas over the Skykomish River Valley, but the real appeal of this long-legged series of upward climbing gravel road switchbacks is the opportunity to shuck everything and hike nude for miles and miles (if there are no other vehicle at the gate, you are pretty much assured you have the place to yourself.)  The entrance to this FS road is located about halfway between Baring and Grotto, WA

Direct Album Link: http://anthonians.org/forgotten_knot/Scoping%20Out%20Nude%20Camping%20Areas/

Upper Scenic Creek Falls

There is a secret little gem just off the Scenic Hot Springs property that is rarely visited . . . and usually only by those enroute to bushwhacking a 'hunter's' trail to Hamada Lake and another smaller lake further in to the wilderness of the side valley west of the springs.  It is said that during the heydays of the Great Northern and Scenic (aka Madison) Hot Springs Hotel, that the proprietor of the hotel had these lakes seeded and stocked with trout for the fishing enjoyment of his guests.  True or not, the high alpine lakes are sometimes visited by fishermen a hundred years later.

Scenic Creek . . . which is not the runoff of any of the similarly-named hot springs on the adjacent mountainside . . .  is the outflow from those two small alpine lakes way up a side valley.  Scenic Creek is better known for the lower water falls that cascade 150ft in a thunderous roar less than a quarter mile from the original townsite of Scenic (and the present-day BNSF Cascade Tunnel staging area.)  Scenic Creek joins Surprise Creek near this area to form the bulk of the Tye River flowing west that later becomes the South Fork of the Skykomish River.

Overlooking the Lower Scenic Creek Falls
during a previous visit.

The Lower Falls are ridiculously-easy to get to . . . but the upper cascades of Scenic Creek are another story; steep slopes, Devil's Club and obscurity.  But they are every bit as alluring with serenity in contra-point to the raw power of the lower falls.  Following the creek up doesn't work . . . you'll soon give up . . . unless you know a side route in.  There is such a hunter's trail of old and I had promised to show several others in on the route a few weeks ago . . . only we ran into time problems.

On my way to the upper falls.  97F out.  Some forest shade will be welcome.

I found myself this last Saturday, scheduled to meet someone at the springs.  I got there way early and with the temperatures soaring up into the high nineties, a trip up to the springs and a soak was not really on my agenda.  So I spent my time soaking up some rays on one of the many large sunning boulders within the clearcut . . . and then still bored . . . decided to see if there still was a recognizable trail up to the upper Scenic falls.  A cursory look-see a few weeks earlier had convinced me that disuse along with the ravages of winter blow-down and new growth had done a job of hiding the trail and making it nigh impassable without some serious bushwhacking.

Probably something that should have been done with good boots, some protective clothing, and a machete but I was being myself . . . as little as possible just to see if it was doable in as natural state as I could.  I like those sort of challenges.  So sandals, hat, hiking staff and a fanny pack slung over a shoulder and it was on my way to the not-so-well-known trail entrance.

If you look into the foliage directly opposite a large boulder
beside the dirt track, a trail opening becomes evident.

In mainstream hiking forums you find comments on the inadvisability of hiking nude for reasons related to the need to wear clothing to protect yourself from snags and scratches from the foliage around you.  I've often found that the exact opposite is more the reality.  Entering that mess of brambles and dead branches (as is evident in the image above) would seem to be a detriment to unprotected bare skin but I find myself much more aware of my interaction with my surroundings when I hike nude . . . so much so that I glide with a quiet gracefulness around objects that would catch and snag in me if I were wearing clothing.  The sharp, broken tip of a dead branch slides easily over and past my bare skin because I am very much aware of them and how to get around without snagging.  Nude, my skin experiences directly rather than a muffled smothering to some dull sensation upon clothing.  It is all rather sensuous.

With a hiking staff to move and hold aside the more egregious thorns and sharp objects in my path, I'm even confident in traversing a patch of Devil's Club should it become necessary.  In a way, I would not have attempted entering this old hiker's trailhead with any clothing that would have quickly caught every sharp object, digging them in and injuring myself . . . nude, and unencumbered, it was so much more easier to simply slide on in like a silent denizen of the forest.  I rarely ever end up with cuts and scratches when hiking through thick undergrowth in the nude.  Truly au 'natural and one with nature!

Past the initial barrier of succulent new growth and identifying the old trail.

A side note on the photo above:  I try to always have something in my images that I can use to adjust white balance during post-editing.  Normally that would be the white athletic socks I commonly wear with my hiking boots or shoes . . . but on this occasion I elected to go in with just what I presently had on . . .  a pair of sandals, a hat, and little else.  On thinking it out, I knew that my camera would get tricked on the color temperatures once under the forest canopy, so I stuffed those unused white socks into a side pocket of my fanny pack to have reference to something white.

Once past the initial barrier of fallen tree limbs and thick, obscuring new growth on the edges exposed to sunlight it was into the more open, filtered shade of the forest canopy and a good ten to fifteen degree drop in temperatures.  In the draws of the slope carrying a number of seasonal streamlets downward there was actually a little bit of a breeze that felt very comfortable on the body.  Bushwhacking sense comes in handy in actually using these temperature gradients (and the downward breezes carrying them) to navigate your way.  The draw of Scenic Creek (the cut in the mountainside produced by that creek) pulls and funnels quite a bit of naturally-cooled air within it's vee-shaped funnel that is unmistakable as you get near.  Of course, the roar of the creek is also an useful navigational tool.

The trick, of course, was to  get over there.  Those same streamlets, as they flattened out and saturated the ground, produced fertile areas within the canopy to amass an impenetrable  bog of Devil's Club.  You had to get higher on the slope before traversing over and above the razor-sharp hiker's nemesis before getting over to the upper cascading falls of Scenic Creek.  The original trail was all but obliterated . . . you could see hints of what might have been a footpath but it was hard to be sure from memory as to the exact route to take that would have put me above the Devil's Club.  And then I had to deal with a lot of deadfall.

A tricky spot and one I needed to remember . . . I blazed the spot to traverse
the streamlets with red construction tape.  There is a hint to the route on
the left side of the image that leads up and to the right behind two trees.

The original trail goes up for several hundred feet to where it is feasible to cross the small streamlets without twisting an ankle or getting calf-deep in soft muck.  One such spot has an ancient tree trunk bridging the moist ground but it is difficult to spot from either direction.  I don't often blaze routes but I do have a roll of red construction tape in my pack for just such occasions.  If you wanted to get around the Devil's Club then you needed to know this traverse point.

Making a new trail for myself.

Once across and it was evident of where you had to go.  One more hummock to ascend and you would be overlooking the cut of Scenic Creek.  Again, no discernable path so I created my own trail, navigating between two huge boulders for reference to the route back later.

First view of scenic Creek by an overgrown fire-ring.

 Coming upon the lip above the cut of Scenic Creek you can see why this area is so serene and with a feeling of remoteness despite being so close to the BPA clearcut.  The sound of the creek as it cascades down numerous falls supplants everything else.

There are a number of small flat spaces above the creek that have obviously been used to camp in the past . . . including small fire-rings that have not seen use in a number of years.  In late summer and early fall this entire area becomes carpeted with a bed of thick, spongy moss that makes for a luxurious mattress under any sleeping bag.  A small campfire, and a warm sleeping bag and who could ask for anything else . . . except not to inadvertently roll down the hillside in your sleep into the churning waters of the creek late at night!

Cooling the feet in Scenic Creek.

Coming off a couple of shallow alpine lakes instead of straight snow-melt, Scenic Creek is not supercold this time of year.  It becomes a welcome respite from the heat of the day . . . and especially hot feet.

The old hunter's trail continues upward.

The original trail follows the creek but a short distance up before diverging off to skirt another round of Devil's Club.  Above is an area known for just the right conditions for huckleberries . . . and also for the bears that love huckleberries.  The way is seriously impaired now by a lot of fallen trees and I'm not prepared to venture into steeper terrain (especially without proper footwear).  I've confirmed for myself that the upper falls are reachable and it's almost time to meet my friend.

Emerging back into the clearcut and the somewhat oppressive
heat of full sunlight.

1st Annual Nude Campout at Scenic Hot Springs

An invitation to the naturist community and we had an informal test of the idea of an annual nude campout at Scenic Hot Springs this past weekend (7/13-14).  While not as well attended because of conflicting nudist activities, those who participated had a great time . . . enough so that this may become an annual event.

Since Scenic is private property where nudity is traditional and legal we could be nude from the moment we arrived until the moment we left and, enjoy the camping, hiking nude through the forests and clearcuts around the area, soak in the hot springs and just simply work on our tan lines.

Setting Up Camp on Friday

Our original site was changed to the clearcut dur to exccessive
winter tree-fall in the traditional area.

 At first we were going to do some serious toting of supplies to a traditional camping area under the canopy of the NW corner of the property.  Unfortunately that area had a lot of large trees toppled over the past winter and is in need of some serious clearing.  The second choice was a large, grassy flat area to the west (behind me in the picture above).  That area is closer to Scenic Creek and has seen a lot of hunter use as a campsite over the years.  While the area would have been perfect for a large grouping of tents, it also, unfortunately, was out of the way should I need to intercept and turn around any trespassers making their way up the opposing BPA road to Scenic.

We gave serious thought to backpacking our gear up to the springs and making camp there.  I can pack light but on Friday, not a one of us came prepared to hike all that heavy gear another thousand feet higher.  So we made camp  where we brought the cars in . . . at the beginning of the clearcut from the Forest Service road leading back to the gate.  True car camping and any trespassers would have to go right in front of me to gain the route to Scenic.

We got nude before even the unpacking and setup started (heck, I'd already been nude for the better part of the day leading to the camping).  Appropriate flat areas were few and our tents ended up scattered apart.  I'd arrived early and claimed the high ground of a grassy ramp leading up to a BPA tower.

Propane BBQ for the burgers (or in this case, boiling water for my coffee.)

 Dinner first.  Burgers with all the fixings . . . cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions . . . onto toasted sesame seed buns while we waited out the one remaining overnighter to arrive.  Eventually, we gave up on him and set off to hike (sans clothing, of course) up to the hot springs a mile away and a thousand feet higher on the mountainside.  Coming back down a couple of hours later, we met our wayward friend hiking completely nude up to the springs.  We could see in the distance that he had already set up his own tent.  His turn to enjoy the springs.  Later, we all met down below around the campfire we had started.  The sun was going down and evening bugs getting feisty . . . so the smoke from our fire came in handy to discourage their feeding on bare torsos.

Some Serious Camping Requirements (Smores, in other words)

An essential step to making smores.  I like my marshmallows burned
for that delicious charred taste!

Dinner done and food stuff secured prudently away from night-time inquisitive bears, it was time to stoke up that campfire up as twilight approached.  Mike was only tasked with one bring-along . . . the ingredients for smores.  And he did not disappoint us.  A few green-wood skewers prepped and sharpened . . . tips sanitized and hardened in the fire for a few seconds . . . and we were ready to try out our various techniques for making smores.  Al arriving late from a soak up at the springs joined us all nude around a welcomely-warm campfire.

If you have never tried smores in a camping situation you are definitely missing out in a time-honored tradition (not to mention a tasty treat).  So, I'm going to bore you with my technique for making smores around a campfire in the wilderness.  You need just three ingredients to make smores:

1. Graham Crackers
2. Chocolate Bars (Nestle's Milk chocolate seems to have become the de'facto standard)
3. Marshmallows (the large ones . . . not the miniatures)

You'll also need skewers to toast your marshmallows, a good campfire, and friends to enjoy this traditional past-time in the silliness of the experience.   I say silliness in a most approving way . . . camping is supposed to be an escape from stresses of rushed lives.  What better way to unwind by doing something fun and maybe a little childish . . . but that's what makes it fun and relaxing.  Especially with friends (and even strangers who quickly become friends around a shared campfire.)

The Technique (a'la Banged Up Shins):

Take a graham cracker and break in two halves.  Place a square or two of the milk chocolate in the center of one of the halves.  So far, not a radical departure.  Here's where my technique comes in.  The manufacturer's of milk chocolate have become stingy with the amount of milk fat in their products, resulting in a chocolate that doesn't melt as well as it did in the past.  The traditional way to make smores was to place the toasted marshmallow atop the chocolate and allow the heat to soften the chocolate squares beneath.  But I've had very little luck even with well-toasted and presumedly hot marshmallows having much of a softening effect on today's milk chocolates.  I remain with the hard square of chocolate instead of oozing all three ingredients together that I remember from my childhood. 

So, that graham cracker half with the chocolate on it gets placed near the fire on one of the rocks ringing the flames.  The idea is to pre-soften the chocolate but be careful as you can over-do this step and end up with a dripping mess, laughter and scalding melted chocolate burns on your naked chest and abdomen.  (Hint:  lean forward when you take your first bites of a completed smore.  The drips of melted chocolate won't hurt the forest floor.)

While the chocolate is tempering beside the fire, skewer one or two marshmallows (one is usually enough and I just pop the other one in my mouth out of haste).  Hold the marshmallows near, but not directly in the flames and slowly rotate the skewer to evenly brown and double in size the marshmallows.  Try the skewer the marshmallows dead-center as they tend to rotate lop-sided down as they heat up (ending up with only one side toasted).  

Banged Up Shins preferred version . . . when the marshmallow has doubled in size, poke real close to the coals or flame to set them afire, and then pull back, letting them burn for a few seconds.  You should have a thin, crispy-black skin develop around the gooey center.  Blow the flames out and be ready to jump aside should a cremated marshmallow decide to drop to the forest floor and any bare feet immediately in it's path.  Cremated marshmallow (which is just sugar) can produce a nasty burn on bare skin.

Eat one of the marshmallows straight from the skewer (of course, that's why you greedily stuffed two on there in the first place) and then set the other one directly atop the softened chocolate.  Top with the other half of the graham cracker, wait a few seconds for the heat of the marshmallow to do it's thing to the chocolate, and then squeeze them together until gooey stuff oozes out the sides.  Bite in and enjoy.  We did and no inadvertent burn marks to our bare skins.  I'm happy to report that, unlike frying bacon, smores can be made while nude , , , and in fact, it is the only way to make smores along with a cheerful campfire and friends to go along.

Late Night Visitors

This kind of silliness went on for some time.  Well into complete darkness (except for a cheery campfire) on a moonless night.  It was in that darkness that we heard the somewhat excited squeals of "Ouuu a campfire" and we realized that we were not alone out there in the wilderness.

A campfire anchors us in the darkness of a moonless night

 A quick glance in the direction of where the forest service road comes into the clearcut revealed a small flashlight or two flickering.  We had visitors trying to sneak into the hot springs.  Ahh well . . .  was my job to deter trespassing and part of the reason I was up there.  Headlight on and directed toward the voices approaching.  I walk down to meet them.  It's a mixed group of teenagers . . . six or seven of them . . . and they don't know what to make of the situation, especially me standing naked on the road in front of them. They looked like deer startled in headlights when I challenged and asked them what they were doing on private property.

This group I'd never seen before.  Clean and not at all mouthy like the group I kicked out a week earlier.  First response . . . "Sir, we didn't know..."  Didn't know what?  How could they miss all the signs on the way in?  They had no answer and to their credit, they did apologize and accept that they couldn't go in any further.  I actually had a rather fatherly talk with them . . . and it was only after-the-fact that I realized how completely natural I felt to have been standing there naked in front of a bunch of strangers and turning attention from that fact to what I was chastising them for in the first place.  They actually thanked me before they turned around reluctantly and left back the way they came in. 

Back at the campfire both Mike and Al said I should have at least invited them over to the campfire and a chance to save something of their evening before being sent packing.  In after-thought, I think they were right, and at least by the end of the evening we might have made a bunch of youth just a little bit more comfortable around nudity . . . heck, possibly some converts. I might have even relented and allowed them a gratis soak up at the springs . . . they had been so chagrined but apologetically polite when I dashed their original plans.


A Late Night Soak

 My fellow campers turned into their tents soon after.  However, I have never been an early-to-bed, up at first light type of person.  I restoked the campfire and make myself another pot of coffee.  It was barely midnight and I knew that if we got any more late-night trespassers attempting to sneak in . . . they would be coming between the witching hours of midnight to 2am. The night air was just a little on the chilly side but surprisingly comfy when I set my chair next to the campfire.  There I sat and sort of dozed off in complete relaxation.  So much for guard duty . . . trespassers could have walked right by me at times and I would never have known.

Absolutely unproductive time but how relaxing ...

If you don't tend a fire . . . add more wood, move coals around . . . eventually it flickers down to a useless white ash.  And a naked person sitting nearby awakes to a chill . . . me.  It is after one in the morning.  I am not ready for bed.  I have more of a restless urge to move around  . . . probably more to get the blood moving and dash the chill away.  There is also the desire to feel the freedom of moving naked through the enveloping mantle of darkness covering everything.  Hiking into total darkness . . . even with the cone of a good headlamp to light your way . . . is something akin to a challenge.  Clothing shields some of us with a debatable sense of protection from that pitch-black.  Without that clothing you truly are vulnerable to whatever may be out there . . . and particularly more so when there is nothing between your bare skin and the chill of nighttime darkness.  A challenge that is both a little unnerving at times but very sensual in the interaction of your body to the night air.

Heading down to the gate half a mile away to see if there were
trespassers who had parked and snuck past me earlier.

 I really didn't know if anyone had gotten past me earlier, so I ambled down the forest service road a half mile to where the gate blocked access to see if there were any cars down there.  There were none . . . a disappointment in a way because I would just love to catch the more despicable vandals and have them arrested.  The fact that I'm nude and not even carrying my cell phone on this particular jaunt doesn't even come to mind.  Looking for trespassers is just an excuse.

Well, heck.  Back in the clearcut and our camping area, I really don't have a reason or need to go up to the hot springs.  Nevertheless, I grab my backpack.  The least I could do is be doubly-sure . . . and maybe treat myself to a nice warm, relaxing soak.

Monster Tub:  106F in the near pool, 109F in the far one. High in lithium
and pH silky smooth.

I've already soaked once today.  This is a double-treat.  Hiking the two thirds mile up the mountainside in chill night air tightens all the pores of the skin  . . . goosebumpy.  All that is needed is the shucking of shoes and socks and it is right into toasty hot water to the neck.  Headlight turned off, stars above blazing in the gazillions . . .what could be better?  Half an hour is all I need and on the hike back down my skin wafts visible steamy warmth all the way back to my tent.  It's pack it up time . . . into the sleeping bag and a good night's sleep.


Awake at Dawn and a Morning Soak

The one thing I didn't pack and regretted was the pad for under my sleeping bag.  I slept warm but with the impression of every tiny pebble digging into my back that my site prep had failed to brush aside.  I awoke early, unable to go back to sleep.  Coffee was the first order of business in the cool and nippy morning air of dawn.  Not a sign of movement from any of the other tents.  After a quick breakfast I set out on the hike up to the springs, hiking this time with nothing more than my shoes, floopy blue hat and a small towel . . . about as free-hiking as possible (I'd be foolish to attempt that rocky path without something on my feet.

It's not very often I head out without a pack on my back.  Feels good.

Again, I meet my oversleeping companions on the way back down as they are heading up.  Someone has to meet the Saturday participants . . . mainly, Richard and Joe of the SLUGS.   Having time in the sun on my hands I check out places it's been a few years since visiting . . . the overgrown trail to the upper Scenic Falls . . . still very overgrown and unpassable without some serious clearing.

I had also promised to take a couple of them down to see the lower falls . . . a 150 foot sheer drop over a precipice . . . but that route was also overgrown.  Those ideas out of the way I again set to enjoying the sun amid people coming and going to the springs while I watched over the tents.

With my towel atop a large sunning rock

Joe and Richard arrived separately . . . Richard parking by the gate and hiking nude from there.  Joe had already headed up to the springs for a hike while I got caught up of the goings-on at the SLUGS with Richard.  Then it was Richard's turn to check out the springs.  I decided to head on down to the gate and check out the two cars Richard had said were there because i hadn't seen any trespassers attempting to get by me.  Again, I headed on down free-hiking style with just my shoes and hat.  I encountered no one and still wonder where the occupants of those cars got to.  They certainly didn't head in to Scenic.

Looking for a way down to the Lower Scenic Falls

On the way back from the gate  I decided to see if I could reverse blaze the route back down to the Lower Scenic Falls.  During the winter months this route is the easiest way up to Scenic from the Surprise Creek parking area.  However, once summer growth sets in the Devil's Club quickly takes over the entire area, making it impassable.  After only a few minutes of looking for a feasible route down, I gave up and returned to the Forest Service road and our campsites.

Everyone took their time enjoying the springs while I took care of things down below . . . most of the time working on the developing crispy red skin that I wasn't aware of developing.  I normally don't sunburn , , , my Greek heritage, I suppose.  So I had been a little arrogant about being out in the sun for two days straight without any sunscreen protection whatsoever.  But by the afternoon I could see that reddening of mild burning.  I could only hope that I hadn't overdone it . . . I didn't feel the burn . . . just the reddening of a large area of skin over most of my body with the sole exception of the thigh creases because of prolonged sitting.  A little sunscreen . . . better late than never.

Breaking camp and emptying any critters that managed to sneak their way in.

Drying out the bottom of the tent before collapsing and rolling up.

Toward five in the afternoon I broke down my campsite while still waiting on the rest of them still soaking away up at the springs.  They came down singly . . . timing just right and we did a general cleanup of the area.  After the last of my guests left I remembered the one treat we didn't manage to get around to . . .

Did you know that watermelons grew in the ice-cold stream of the Cascades?

Retrieving an ice-cold (by now) watermelon

Yeah, we had stashed a beautiful watermelon into the flow of a very cold stream to enjoy later . . . but we forgot all about it . . . until everyone had left.  Ah well . . . the treat's all mine.  I'm taking it home with me.  It's into the car, down to the gate, the heck with clothes. 

Those two cars are still there but no signs of their occupants.  I wave at Richard, who has hiked nude down to his car and is just getting around to getting dressed.  I won't bother with clothes until I get closer to Goldbar where I make a stop of pickup some Aloe Vera lotion as a preventative against deepening sunburn.  The weekend was fun.  Next time I'm going to put some more planning into it . . . get bigger participation.

Winberry Creek Nude Camping and Hike by Shirley

"This hike was better than any drug, illegal or prescribed, than I have ever experienced. No way to put into words how much I enjoyed it."    Shirley

I love Oregon. Nude camping, swimming, hot spring soaking, river beaches and hiking trails all open to nude recreation.

July 11th a Wednesday, I drove about 25 miles from my home in Springfield, Oregon to a beautiful campsite located in the Willamette National Forest. The Wineberry Creek area is one of my favorite places to recreate nude. Undeveloped campsites on the forest are FREE! My favorite campsite was not available due to fallen trees across the road. That campsite would have had me camping at the Joe Peak Trail #3482.

The campsite closest to trail #3482 and absolutely beautiful was two miles from the trailhead. This campsite would add an additional 4 miles round trip to my hike. Joes Peak hike is a strenuous 2.5 uphill hike and 5 mile round trip that I knew would be challenging for me. Total of 9 miles…I am up for it!

Arriving at my campsite around 2 pm I immediately placed a large tree branch across the entrance to let others know the site was taken. Immediately got nude and started picking up litter. I have a history of camping at this site and it was the cleanest I have every encountered. One large army style tarp on the ground and one bag of litter in the large fire pit. Not bad compared to past visits. This is an undeveloped site that is almost always in use.

Winberry Creek beside the campsite

A perfect spot for camping

The large fire pit was more than I needed so a small pit was created inside the large one. There is nothing I find more relaxing than sitting nude in front of a fire and enjoying the old growth forest noise. The river was a short distance away and I really can’t call river sounds noise. River sounds are perfect to lull me to sleep.

Usually I start a trail hike very early. Because it was a Wednesday and the upper road was closed due to the fallen trees I started the hike around 7:30 am. What a sense of freedom to go from campsite to trailhead nude. Tennis shoes and a good expensive pair of socks and I was off. Wait…massive amounts of sunscreen and a hat! No bug screen was needed as long as I kept moving the bugs seem to avoid me.

This hike was much more strenuous that I had imagined. It was an uphill switch back trail and I did not realize how steep until I was on the way down. My toes were yelping at me on the way down. You hikers know how on a steep hike the downhill is much more challenging on the toes and knees.

I took plenty of breaks taking pictures of the rock formations, flowers and eating the berries. I call them red huckleberries and others called salmon berries. I do not know flower names at all but there were so many that it felt like a treat just being able to reach out and smell them.

Red Huckleberries

Common and widespread in the Pacific Northwest is Lilium columbianum,
Columbia lily or sometimes called simply tiger lilies

The ubiquitous Foxglove

My regret was not taking more water. I took 1 quart of water. Not enough on a hot day even though the entire hike was in the shade. I was surprised by the uphill grade of the hike and the heat.

The cold Wineberry Creek (river) was a welcome to my sore toes. I placed a lawn chair in the river, got my book and soaked my feet. What a day. Not sure my feet would agree but my memory tapes are richer for this hike.

Oregon old growth forest is the best. Until you experience it you can't imagine it. The entire hike I kept thinking “use it or lose it.” Nudists get so comfortable within their comfort zones for going nude. I spent from 2 pm Wednesday until Friday clothes free and never saw one person. Now let’s suppose I would have come upon someone on the trail I would have simply said “hello, hope your hike is memorable for all the right reasons.” Of course I dream of meeting other nude hikers.

If you have been giving thought to hiking nude….just do it! Use common sense and search this blog for suggestions on how to do it appropriately.

Nude Camp Out, Sun, Hike & Soak at Scenic July 13-14th

I've reserved Scenic Hot Springs Friday afternoon through Saturday, July 15th, 2012 for the enjoyment of responsible, practicing nudists and naturists who are looking for an opportunity to enjoy being nude in the great outdoors with overnight camping from the night before, soaking in the superb hot spring waters of Scenic, nude hiking on the 40 private acres and within the National Forest surrounding Scenic, or just plain finding one of the many sunning rocks and working on your tan lines.

This opportunity is open to AANR and TNS members, members of recognized local nudist clubs and facilities, and to those who have a nudist affiliation of some sort and show themselves to be responsible practitioners of nudism.  You may camp overnight with us . . . get in some rare night-time soaking under the stars at Scenic, or you may just opt to join us on Saturday for a day in the sun.

The gate to Scenic will be opened to attendees at 5pm to allow vehicles further in for those camping overnight.  We will also arrange times to open the gate Saturday morning for those just wanting to visit during the day.  This is an RSVP event . . . all those not on the list will be turned away from Scenic during our reservation.

General Agenda

Nude Day at Scenic Hot Springs

Saturday, July 14

(with overnight camping available on Friday July 13)

Information on Scenic Hot Springs at:   ScenicHotSprings.blogspot.com

What is Scenic Hot Springs?

·    Two approximately 8 x 8, 4 feet deep man made tubs on the side of a mountain about 6 miles (south)west of Stevens Pass.  They are fed from separate natural hot spring feeds.   One is hot, the other is nice and warm, making for a very pleasant soak.  They are a truly beautiful hot springs with scenic views of the valley below.

·         The springs are on private property and we are using them with permission.  Since they are private property, nudity is perfectly legal and tolerated on the traditionally clothing-optional property.
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·       The springs are located 6 miles west of Stevens Pass on Highway 2.  From the gate they are reached by a 1 ½ mile hike with 1,100 elevation gain.  Limited provisions will be made to open the gate to allow driving partway into the clearcut with you car, and further on up to the trailhead with a 4wd HC vehicle.  The camping area is within easy walking distance of parking in the clearcut.

·       The springs are reserved exclusively for responsible nudists and naturists with at least some affiliation with the nudist lifestyle . . . or those honestly wanting to learn about and experience the freedom of nude recreation in a safe, family-friendly, and legal environment.  Children are more than welcome with their parents.

·         You can come up anytime on Saturday or come up Friday evening and camp overnight (we will have a potluck meal and practice making smores).

·         We have use of the springs until sunset on Saturday (no Saturday overnight camping)

Access

Access is by prior invitation of those RSVPing.  If you are not on the list you will be asked to leave.

·          You can arrive anytime after 5 PM on Friday and camp overnight.  Rick the steward will have the gate open between 5-6 PM on Friday.  If you need a later entry let me know and will see what we can arrange.  Note: this is primitive camping with no facilities, so bring all that you need including tables, chairs and water.

·         You can arrive anytime on Saturday 7/14 and stay until sunset.  You can park at the gate and walk in to the springs.  (Note: the gate will be unlocked between 9 and 10 AM in order to allow you to drive part-way to the springs.  Non-4WD can travel 1/3 the way and park there.  4WD with some clearance can travel 2/3 the way to the springs.)

SSuggestions if you want to camp

We will be camping in the lower NW corner of the property in a historic and traditional camping area.  This is forest land and bears have been known to habituate the Scenic slopes, though they have not been seen this season.  Practice Bear Protocol (which means do not leave food easily accessible).

The self-imposed ban of campfires is lifted for the campsite itself.  You may build a campfire within a campfire ring as long as it is manned and controlled.

Bring your tent, camp chairs, sleeping bag, basic camping amenities.  There will be a stand-up propane BBQ with two burners available for cooking.  There will also be a supply of potable water for use.  Suggestions and contributions for a potluck cookout are welcome.

A temporary pit toilet will be constructed away from the camping area for your use.

For those who wish to go up to the springs for some nighttime soaking, don't forget a headlamp for on the trail.  Trekking pole/hiking staff and good hiking shoes are recommended.  The hike from the camping area to the springs is about 1/2 an hour.  Don't forget a towel. 

      Reservations

·         Please let  Rick at bangedupshins@gmail.com) know of your plans.  Please advise if you are coming Friday night or Saturday.  Advising approximate arrival time would be helpful.  Thanks.

·         In the small chance that we are overbooked, people will be granted access on a first come basis.

Cost

·         The Springs will be available for practicing nudists/naturists to use free of charge.  (The normal fee is $10 per person per day)

Other information

·         There is a pit toilet located at the Springs.  Depending on response, we may construct another pit latrine lower on the property.

Agreement to Conditions of Access 

·         The Springs requires all visitors to Agree to the Conditions of Access.  You can do that via the website:  scenichotsprings.blogspot.com or alternatively we will have copies to sign for you at the Springs. 

·         Some key provisions

o   Minors under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by a legally-responsible adult guardian. 

o   No children under the age of six (6) in the hot spring pools. 

o   No Fires or Campfires.

o   No Dogs or other pets, No Firearms, No Glass Containers of any kind at the springs.

Directions Directions will be provided to those attending.  (Please do not re-post directions as directions are not publicly posted to discourage trespassers)

Thank You Shirley and Mountaindale Resort

A great Rooster Rock-Sauvies Island Clean Up Event and I sincerely thank Shirley and the great hosts at Mountaindale Resort near Portland, Oregon for getting me out and interacting with my friends once more.

I will post more about the clean up later but I first want to share the images from a few recent hikes I have managed to get in . . . along with the very few images I took during the Annual Cleanup event . . . day one at Rooster Rock where we moved tons of sand to fill in trails and buttress erosion on the beach, to a great reception and dinner at Mountaindale Resort, and finally to a sun-drenched day on Collins Beach serving up hot dogs and information of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Again, thank you.  Here's the link to the JAlbums:  Recent Nude Hikes


Meanwhile, Hike On . . . Nude, of Course

Goldmyer HS Alternate Route via Snow Lake

With the closure and uncertain repair future of the Middle Fork Road, access to Goldmyer Hot Springs seems problematic.  However, there is another route from the Alpental Ski Area via the very popular Snow Lake Trail (#1013). At this time of year you need to check with the Forest Service on avalanche conditions.

The hike into Snow Lake is one of the most popular in the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie Forest . . . therefore not exactly a good trail to hike nude on . . . assuming the weather improves enough for nude hiking.  However, once beyind the far shore of Snow Lake you are on unfrequented trail.  Doff the clothes all the way to Goldmyer and enjoy the hike.

The route is just under 12 miles making this a backpacking overnight visit to the springs.  As always, check with the Goldmyer web site for reservations and conditions at the hot springs.  My most recent (2001) GPX file of this route is available for download upon request.

Congress finally OKs Wild Sky Wilderness

For this nudist hiker, the Wild Sky Wilderness area has been one of my favorite places to head. The area is reasonably accessible and closer to Seattle than the more traditional trails of the Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass areas, the area is at a lower elevation giving me more opportunities to hike nude for the better part of the year, and much of the area is unknown or ignorned by many hikers. The area offers a lot of solitude and plenty of places to explore au'natural.

The Index-Galena Road and the Beckler River Road form crescent arms that bisect deep into the wilderness and provide great access to many parts of the wilderness. The banner image of me skinny-dipping in the North Fork of the Skykomish River is situated well within the Wild Sky Wilderness. I do not want to see any development take away my opportunties in this area.

Can't Find a Nude Beach? Claim One For Yourself?

Finding a place to get out and enjoy the sun shouldn't be an exercise in frustration . . . especially here in the Pacific Northwest with all the forest land and wilderness we are blessed with. The tolerated and designated nude beaches like Sauvies Island and Rooster Rock are great but there are literally hundreds of miles of isolated and underused sunny beach areas along the river courses descending from the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Within 45 miles of Seattle is the wide flood plain of the Skykomish River above Index. There are many more. Get out there and enjoy them.

Getting to where you want can sometimes be a task, like here off the Index-Galena Road where I have to ford the Skykomish River to reach the far bank and flood plain of the river where there is no habitation and a general lack of interest . . . but some great nude hiking!

The water is rarely more than waist deep in the wider floodplains but use common sense when fording an unfamiliar river. Study it first and look for the clues of a shallow ford. Rapids and white water mean a constriction and fast flow . . . not good. Look up or downstream for a widening of the flow and then study that surface, avoiding areas that swirl and eddy which are typical of scoured deep pools in the bed. Look for changes in color . . . a richening of the glacial green that might indicate deep water.

The rivers of the Cascades flow clear and cold. That clarity means you can see where you're walking . . . that same clarity means algae can grow on the rocks on the river bed. The shallower the water, the slicker those rocks get. When fording, set a foot before you lift the other. Be sure of your footing. Use a trekking pole or staff and plant it on the downstream side in fast flow.

I've met a number of weekend anglers 'pussy-footing' it in the shallow water trying to keep the bottom of their shorts dry. Some give up . . . most get miserably wet. Some follow my route and see the sensibility of at least fording the river nude makes a whole lot of sense. Out here in the wilderness few really care and perhaps some will become converts. Who knows what happens when they head up their direction of the river and I head the other. I know of at least one couple that didn't bother to get re-dressed after fording and parting ways.

This particular stretch of sand is as warm and luxurious as any beach. It is on the wild-side of the river completely unobservable from places where people go . . . shielded even more by giant washed-down trees and large boulders. Facing west it catches the sun for most of the day.

The water is cold but definitely refreshing. This large pool is a result of flowback into a depression in the riff-raff of the annual river floods . . . constantly refreshed by a side stream of the river.

The payback for the short hike in is the chance to just lay out lazily in the sun and enjoy the summer heat abated by gentle breezes flowing down the river valley.

There are also many places to mold your body into for an afternoon snooze. This one is tailor made for me because I can lay back and watch all those hikers making their way up the road off the far bank without being observed myself . . . and with a wide river between us. It kinda says, you have your side and I have mine. I relaxing now . . . see ya later.

Nude Camping and Guard Duty

Catching the afternoon rays on a stony outcropping

Many of you know that I'm involved with bringing Scenic Hot Springs back into legal use, and I take that responsibility seriously. One of the problems we have at Scenic are those who wait until the owner leaves his property for the day for a chance to sneak on up to the springs to party. Night time partying has been our bane because of the litter, illegal fires, alcohol and general disrespect for the hot springs. Holiday weekends are the worst and we've taken to allowing a volunteer to campout overnight in the lower portions to intersect and turn around people heading on up to the springs under cover of darkness. Last year it was the Naked Gourmet who parked his van right in front of the gate and let his German Shepard roam on a very long leash. Those turning in off the highway suddenly got the message loud and clear in the form of a bright spotlight and a very loud dog. This year I did the guard duty and I was not interested in spending the night in my car under the towering trees further down. I like open spaces.

The nice thing is that once had I re-posted the property once again I pretty much had the property all to myself to wander around nude . . . hot springs are, after all, nude-friendly and expected. From where I perched high atop an outcropping of bedrock in the BPA clearcut I could easily spot any attempted approach long before any trespassers knew I was there to discourage them.

Not my normal backpacking tent but I'm
car-camping and enjoying the luxury

I was car camping, so I brought my North Face 22 tent. Normally when I backpack in I carry a small bivuoac tent that is extremely light and barely big enough to fit a sleeping bag and the pack. There is certainly no room to sit up. But when you backpack you retire early and you retire hard . . . exhausted. Not so car camping. So the North Face . . . arguably my favorite tent because I can set a candle lantern from a lanyard inside and sit up for as long as I want reading. There is no desire or need to go to sleep the moment you make camp. To round out the arrangements, I have a ThermoRest mattress and a down mummy bag to guarantee a toasty warm sleep. The combination serves me well even in subzero snow temperatures.

I should have brought my propane grill . . . I certainly had the room in the car . . . but I waffled to test out a new butane expedition burner that, with tank, weighed in around four ounces. The unit performed well and cooked my chilli, refilled my thermos with coffee and repeated the process the following morning with breakfast . . . scrambled eggs (the real ones) and toast. Also served to heat up the water for me to freshen up the next morning. I'm impressed, especially since the tank seemed to still have a lot of butant left in it. However, it will never replace the multi-fuel stove I've had for years. Butane does not perform very well at altitude. The multi will burn cheap, reliable kerosene, gasoline, lighter fuid . . . what not.

A camp chair was pure decadence. Very comfortable, though. I brought the coleman lantern, of course. For casting the glow of reassuring warm light around your campsite, nothing beats a kerosene burning coleman lantern. Except maybe a fire.

The dark does close in around you and a campfire feels good,
keeps you warm, and dispels the evening bugs

At one point as the sun went down, I briefly pulled out mosquito netting from my pack and draped it over the chair. Bugs . . . the nipping, biting sort of no-see-ems that make life miserable for nudists seem to come out in force at twilight. I hate bug spray . . . spray that Deet onto your skin and you can feel the organophosphate poisons tingling through. But a smoky fire works great. There is an old firering near my tent and plenty of deadwood laying about. I'm probably the worst firemaker ever . . . worrying the fire to death with my impatience. Firestarts are the only way to go. They will light and fuel even the most recalcitrant of green wood. Which is good because left on my own I couldn't get a book of matches to burn. Well, maybe not that bad.

Standing near a campfire also warms you appreciably as the evening turns nippy. Absolutely clear sky above, stars pinpoint sharp. A cold night, especially so in the mountains. The camp chair set close to a cheery fire, a few requisite marshmallows toasted on the flames and eaten with relish releases the pressures and stresses of life. Clients and customers can wait. While my cell phone will work here . . . with a little bit of aligning and finding the sweet spot . . . it's only purpose now is to alarm for seven o'clock in the morning. I try to take up reading a book I had put off for a long time but the stars continually pull me away. So much different out here.

Despite the fact that I usually don't go to bed very early, there is something magical about the crystal clear night skies in the mountains, totally devoid of light pollution. It mesmerizes you into a very relaxed state. I bank the remaining coals of my fire and let it burn down. Inside my tent it's into the sleeping bag, zip up the door and stare at the night sky through the mesh panels for awhile before falling into a deep sleep.

From the inside of my tent the following morning,
watching a bear scratch out its' morning meal
less than a 100 feet away

I beat my alarm clock awake the following morning . . . fully recharged and rested. Thinking about getting out of the sleeping bag into the chilly morning, I just sit there and stare out. Something moving catches my eyes. I realize it is a bear less than a hundred feet away doing the same thing I was thinking of doing . . . getting breakfast.

The bear is paying me no attention . . . intent on slowly pulling apart this old tree stump and licking up bugs and such. He . . . or she . . . is in no hurry and after steadying my initial surprise I just sit there and watch the bear. I will admit that I did calculate how much time it would take for me to sprint naked to where my car was parked. I figured the bear, if so inclined, would beat me there first. So I watched instead.

The bear did hear me turn my camera on . . . stared directly at me in my tent for half a minute. He knew I was there . . . just wasn't in the least bit interested. I snapped a few pictures. Eventually the bear wandered higher up onto the slopes and into the thick forest canopy. I got up and judiciously did my morning cooking near my car least I had a re-interested bear join me for breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast.

I kept camp for the rest of the day and took side excursion hikes over the property. A great two-day break from the city.