Foss Moss: Nude Hiking in the Fall Colors

In search of a lost GeoCache

Autumn is a great time to hike nude with summer finally over (not that we had much of one), kids back in school and the mountains generally quiet . . . . and best of all, the bugs all gone!  And then we have the vivid colors to make any hike well-worthwhile.

And no, I didn't find my lost geocache, but more on that later.

Tonga Ridge Nude Rain Hike

Labor Day started out promising in Seattle. Overcast but dry. No appointments . . . no lab tests . . . newspaper read. I felt like a hike. Question was, 'where'? I debated that question the whole drive in. All trailheads were bound to be popular on this last 'fling' day of summer. Still, I was hopeful I could find something short and different. That is, until I started seeing the long lines of vehicles returning from the east and the clouds obscuring the foothills near Monroe. Passing Sultan, then Startup . . . then Goldbar (with an unbroken line of cars doing 1-2 miles per hour in the other direction . . . the rain started. Hard! Was this a bad idea?

Of course, I'm committed now. Turn around and I'm just going to have to join that ten mile long back up of returning Labor Day weekenders. The question was still one of 'where'. The lower foothills and valleys were going to be miserable in this downpour. The reader board in Sultan proclaimed the temperature to be 53F. Okay . . . doable and it's been a long time since I've done a nude rain hike. The next question became, 'was my body ready for this?' I've been feeling the cold and that's very much unlike me . . . my metabolism usually able to switch into high gear as needed. Despite the heater going full and driving in teeshirt and my improvised hiking kilt (by the way, the clerk in the Sultan Chevron complimented me on the fit and look . . . I stop by there often for gas and coffee . . . and BBQd kielbasa on a stick for a snack. The bathrooms are also clean and convenient.), I still felt a chilblain down my back at the idea of stepping out nude into cold rain.

42 degrees and dropping beyond the Cascade foothills

I watched that thermometer as I drove. Beyond Baring the downpour lessened as we started to gain elevation. Glancing at the raging Skykomish River that paced US 2, I knew that the lowland hikes were inappropriate. The rivers were getting close to flood stage and I've seen what a sudden flash flood can do . . . not a place for a hiker (let alone a naked one) to become trapped. But the higher trails appeared to show promise. No thunderheads, no wind . . . not lightening weather . . . and the peaks just might be above the worst of this. By the time I passed through Skykomish the rain was little more than misting with an occasional sprinkle. However, the thermometer was still falling. I had absurd visions of snow in the beginning of September! Two choices came to mind . . . Johnson Ridge or the Tonga Ridge, both high enough to bottle convergence zone weather in the valleys below. Left on the Beckler River Road . . . or right a half mile up on the Foss River Road (aka FS 68). I took the right . . . Tonga Ridge was closed due to road damage two years ago and I wanted to see if that had been repaired . . . and I remembered my long lost GeoCache in the vicinity and wanted to see if it was still there.

So Tonga Ridge it was; three miles on the paved Foss River Road continuing another eight on gravel of FS 68 forking left up onto FS 6830, the final mile right on FS 310 (a short stub road to the trailhead). All of it in good condition. The damaged section was between Mile one and two of FS 6830 . . . all repaired now.

Tonga Ridge is (was) a very popular trail. Especially popular because of the outstanding views of the Necklace Lakes in the middle of the Alpine Wilderness. It's short . . . a couple of miles with one through canopy and then the wide open views from the ridge below Mt Sawyer. It can also been accessed from the far end by determined hikers in the Deception Creek through trail by Fisher Lake . . . but not very often. You can pretty much assume it an in and out trail. I would never hike this trail nude on a weekend or holiday . . . too many families. But I was counting on the time of day and the weather to put a damper on trail companions. As I drove on up I encountered half a dozen cars headed back down. Maybe us PNWrs really are half amphibian. Despite the weather people were out hiking. Crazy ... Am I the only sane person around?

The Tonga Ridge Trail

The Tonga Ridge Trail Head all to myself

The temperature actually rose a degree or two as I rose above most of the low clouds. Just a light sprinkle at the trail head that I quickly adapted to once I just said the heck with it and doffed the teeshirt. Then it was onto the trail. The first mile is through dense canopy . . . dreary stuff, especially the big fat drops that fell from the trees and pestered me. I warmed up quickly with the slight uphill exertion but kept the kilt on more out of laziness than anything else. Once on the open ridge I planned to freehike the few miles in and out.

The Necklace Lakes beyond, shrouded in clouds

The trail is not in the greatest shape. Narrow tread to begin with, it is rutted and, at the moment, filled with slippery mud and standing rainfall. The route could use some trail work . . . I've worked a section of it before. However, I have the place to myself and serious doubts of anyone else bothering to head in. I found a good sheltered spot and stashed my pack and the rest of my clothes (i.e., kilt). There is a certain, defiant pleasure out of hiking on with nothing but shoes to protect the feet (and, of course, my Floppy Blue Hat). You've dropped almost all vestiges of civilization and can really, really soak in (figuratively, speaking) what you are experiencing.

The defiant part? Well, if I did encounter someone else on the trail I couldn't cover up if I wanted to . . . and that really adds to your own sense of self-confidence the first time that actually does happen. You have two choices . . . run and hide in embarrassment . . . or face the fact that you are nude and proud of it. It's very empowering to realize after some time of hiking like this that you can feel confident of yourself as a naturist.

Near the Fisher Lakes cut-off trail

There was a lot of blowdown on the final mile near the well-hidden turnoff for the two Fisher Lakes. Though I was doing fine body-warmth-wise I wasn't in the mood for scrambling over and around downed trees blocking the trail. So . . . I headed back at a slow amble and extended my conscious senses to the different sensations my skin was feeling . . . the gentle mist wetting my skin, body heat turning an occasional shudder into a pleasant push through heavy and moist mountain air. It's at moments like this when I can (and have) been surprised by another trail user . . . so in-turned that my awareness is to the immediate bubble of surroundings around me. Fortunately I am not intruded upon in my revelry and eventually come out onto the wide-open grading of the trailhead and a car all of a sudden . . . mine. The moment is gone. Somewhere along the way I had the sense of mind to collect my pack and the all-important car keys. Now it is time to grab the towel on the back seat, dry off and warm up now that I'm no longer moving. A thermos of coffee awaits me in the front seat.


In Search of a lost GeoCache

Parked outside of FS 6850, now reverted and undrivable

Several years ago I toyed with the idea of setting up a network of GeoCaches that naturists could go off in search of in the nude . . . another activity for nudists and one well suited to our love of the outdoors. At first, I posted these geocaches on the popular geocache sites for anyone to go off in search of . . . but I caught so much flack from a few ultra-conservative textile-impaireds that threatened to kill me if they ever saw me that I backed away and decided to keep these caches within the nudist community.

I planted a number of them and collaborated with a friend up at LARC who was also into finding geocaches in the nude. To date I've secreted close to a dozen caches of my own and cataloged another 50 or so in the Cascades that are amenable to searching for them au' natural. All but one of my caches have been found, given the coordinates . . . and the finders (both nudist and textiles) have reported fun and the challenge of finding them. They still exist and remain in good condition for the next cache-hunter . . . all but one.

The Foss River geocache was a double-blind puzzle cache. Coordinates by themselves were not enough. You had to solve clues that took you all over the mountainside and prove your compass-reading skills in order to find this cache. I wanted to see if it was still there and in good condition.

A new creek bed

The cache is located somewhere along FS 6850 (sorry, ain't spilling secrets that easily). I used to be able to drive all the way to the top of this abandoned logging road but weather has taken its' toll. 100ft in, the concrete spillway and culvert have been blown. The roadbed is now a new creek bed . . . and with the rain we've been getting the past few days boots would have been a better choice that breathable hiking shoes.

A fairly recent road cut

Gingerly walking through a stream, trying to keep my socks dry, was impossible. Then I encountered a series of fallen trees and a recent collapse of the roadbed from a new creek where there wasn't one before. Scrambling through that morass of stuff my shoe snagged a long wild trailing blackberry stem((rubus ursinus) aka: blood sweat and tears, vegetable barbed wire). Before I could check myself those sharp barbs had managed to wrap, tighten, then cinch and saw themselves above the right knee to leave a score of nasty cuts. Enough!!! The cache can wait for better weather. I headed back to my clothes and the first aid pack . . . just long, stinging scratches but they were bleeders. Speak of Banged Up Shins . . . now Banged Up Thighs? It was getting late in the day, anyway.

A Pleasant Discovery . . . a River-side Campground

Never knew this place existed

The boss (my better half) called me the second my cell phone came into tower range. I wonder how she does that. Anyway, I pulled over on FS 68 at the junction of what I thought was a maintenance road for the railway. Unsigned, you see a lot of them . . . much too numerous to explore all of them. Coffee and French bread . . . we're having spaghetti and I'd better get my butt on home. Of course I ignore that idle threat half the time and she knows that I will. Just a gentle reminder for me not to get so tied up in the outdoors that I go off on another excursion not planned and noted on the refrigerator door.

Well, here's one excursion. That dirt road has me wondering now. Too far down from the Foss River Loop of the railway trestle bridge. We all do it from time to time. Us nudists simply do not want to have to give up nude time and be forced to don some clothes to drive home. There's got to be something interesting up that road . . . if for no other reason than to see where it goes. And a great excuse to hold off putting clothes on just yet.

For the most part it is simply a narrow dirt road through the forest. Wet and muddy with too many potholes. If I'd had the presence of mind I would have noted the direction (east) I was going, to surmise exactly what river the road paralleled. It wasn't till later that I figured out I was on the south side of the Skykomish. Another clue might have been a few cars I saw flashing by in the distance on Hwy 2 through trees on the other side.

Okay. Interesting. And then the campground right next to a bend in the river . . . complete with a little waterfall. Though the campground is wide open to the road it is still secluded enough that I could imagine myself setting up a tent there and enjoying some nude time. High enough to avoid flooding, the area is picturesque, groomed flat and complete with picnic tables, benches and fire rings. It does get used but not right now. Cataloged for future reference. Time to quit thinking only of myself and get my butt home. Spaghetti is a favorite.

On the south bank of the upper Skykomish/Tye Rivers

Tags: Foss River, Tonga Ridge, Nudism, Naturism

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.

Nude GeoCaching: Foss Moss

Foss Moss by bangedupshins (2/1.5)

N47° 39.572 W121° 17.970 (WGS84)
UTM 10T E 627680 N 5279860

Use waypoint: NWP002 User Data: Nudibility Potential Very Good

Size: Regular Hidden on 4/16/2006

In WA, USA

Difficulty: Terrain:

This is a multi - cache consisting of hiking to two locations in the nude to obtain the directions to the actual cache, located within an ammo box. The clues will take you on a hike of approx. five miles (round trip) . . . plenty of time to enjoy being clotheless. How you prove you did the search au'natural is unimportant. The whole purpose for this geocache it to enjoy doing something au'natural in a relatively nude-safe location. There are no reporting or logging requirements other than to sign the log and let me know you've found the cache. This location is off the beaten path. The dirt road has been decommissioned and does not even show on the newer topo maps, so you should not have any problem hiking nude; I never have and I've free-hiked it dozens of times. It is one of the few locations you can walk away from the crutch of clothes and not have to worry about quickly covering up. That's how unvisited this location is . . . Access: Take SR2 past Skykomish and the Skykomish Ranger Station. Just past the Last Chance Espresso take the right onto Foss River Road and follow it in as it become a gravel forest service road. Continue past the Tonga Ridge turnoff, the Necklace Trailhead and the Foss River Campground turnoff. You will go over two short concrete bridge. Watch your GPS for indications of the unnamed narrow gravel road to the left. The starting point is a few hundred feet up that road.

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First Clue - The Posted Coordinates The dirt roadway has a short concrete spillway in case the creek overflows it's culvert. Just before this spillway is an area where you can park your vehicle. There is a campfire ring to which the coordinates point. Go off the road 50 feet or so on the downhill side in the general area of the creek. In your explorations of this area near the road and creek think of the effects of a lightening strike on a large tree and then look for the magical, human-sized opening. Once inside, check out the tunnel-like view of the sky from inside. You will see it.. Follow the simple instructions on your GPS unit that are printed on the card. Secure the clue for the next seeker.

Second Clue Time for a hike up the decommissioned dirt road, setting waypoints as directed. After the second waypoint is entered, set the GPS to GOTO this waypoint and watch the distance indicator until you are approx the proscribed distance away. You should be in a turnaround clearing. At the end of the clearing on the uphill side you will see a jumble of logs, and one very obvious upright propped log (it is pretty much weathered). Again, note the instructions and rehide the clue. Now is the time to enjoy the view, catch some sun and perhaps have lunch.

The Cache Did you see it and wonder on your way up? The cache is approx 550 feet due south along the obvious wide path but you don't need a GPS unit to find it now. The cache is concealed behind an obstruction right next to the overgrown trail within fifty feet of the far end of the bridge.

Note: Although the instructions indicate you will enter the brush at points, this is very open terrain and you should have no need for protective clothing other than a good pair of hiking shoes and some light-weight utility gloves. If you have parked just short of the spillway you are already out of sight of the main road and near your first clue. You can strip right at the car and leave your clothes there for this search. All you need is your GPS unit, a compass and a good eye for distance; plus a water bottle and perhaps a lunch to enjoy in one of the clear-cut, sunny areas you will cross. You may need a small flashlight to read the first clue and a small memo pad and pen is handy to write down directions.

Safety: This cache is located in National Forest and in a relatively unvisited area. Take normal precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Black bears are known to forage in the Foss River valley down below. They are shy creatures and avoid humans but be aware of the time of year and the potential for bears foraging berries along the side of the abandoned road.

A bigger problem are the deer flies that hatch in early August in waterbound areas at the higher elevations . . . particularly Evans Lake. Be prepared to deal with DEET. Also consider sun exposure at the higher points.

You cannot get lost on this search; merely follow the road track back to your car. Do not attempt to drive your car past the short spillway. The road quickly narrows and presents few turnarounds unless you have 4WD and adequate clearance.

Additional Hints Hints

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Current at 4/16/2006

Decoded Hints

They say a rolling stone gathers no moss. But this large boulder has been sitting beside the trail long enough to become Foss Moss! Spoiler #1: The location of clue #1 can be seen in pic # 1 Spolier #2: The hiding location of the 2nd clue is in pic # 2 Spoiler #3: The cache location is obvious in pic # 3 . . . if you can figure out where the picture was taken.