by Sophia Mattice-Aldous
If you’re like me and prefer to put off more pressing matters and procrastinate by doing menial side quests like reading this column, you may recall when my brother, mother, and I went hiking on Willapa National Wildlife Refuge on the Long Beach Peninsula on Thanksgiving Day last year. You might also remember how, in a moment of zesty pride, I spurred us all on to a longer trail, as opposed to the shorter option that would’ve led us back to the parking lot and a quicker rendezvous with the pecan pie that awaited us back at the cabin.
It sounds inconsequential enough, except, at that time of year, the trail we took was flooded and we ended up wading through several puddles that were deep enough at certain points to come over our knees. The wind and rain kicked up, and we went from a low-key holiday stroll to a wet, cold trek back to the car that we just barely arrived at before it got dark. All three of us look back on that day and laugh fondly now, but at the time, I could tell my older sibling was politely refraining from making himself an only child for the sake of our mother (for once, I didn’t blame him). I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a heavy pang of guilt that my insistence we venture further had resulted in our 70-year-old mother traversing flooded trails and being somewhat battered by the elements.
We have always known she has a good sense of humor, but perhaps her children have accidentally inflicted a touch of Stockholm syndrome upon her because we got her to go hiking with us again for Mother’s Day. That’s right, my loving, trusting matriarch, followed her daughter back into nature. Though I’m pleased to report this outing was much more relaxed, as nature provided us with a gorgeous day on a hike around Skookum Lake. On days like that, it’s easy to believe there’s nowhere else you should be except a scenic trail that winds in and out of old trees around a blue lake that reflects a blue sky.
Before heading to the trailhead, we fueled up with birria ramen at Mellany‘s Bakery in Usk. It is not an exaggeration or flattery to say it is ranked among the best bowls of ramen I have ever had. Not saying I would fight a bear for it, but I just might glare at one ‒ intensely ‒ from the other side of a sturdy window as I eat my birria ramen. Shoo, Yogi, get your own.
Anyway, after a delectable, hearty meal, we headed to South Skookum Lake Trail. It was still early enough in the season that we practically had the whole area to ourselves, with the exception of some chatty squirrels and ducks. We paused often at different vantage points to take in views that made me admit to myself that I’m much more sentimental than I care to let on in my day-to-day life. Whenever I am out hiking, I am reminded of the fact that we have all this public land in our own backyard. The outing was made even more vibrant and special that day as I listened to my mom and brother try to remember the words to the 1963 parody song, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter from Camp).” And to my brother as he shared his knowledge of trees and the practices of timbermen of the past with us, inspiring us to marvel at stumps of trees that were old before a human hand had touched them.
Though she is not as old as those trees, (sorry Mom, easy shot, bad aim), she too, has lived a lot and seen a lot, and yet still approaches nature with the same reverence and curiosity that she and my dad gave to their kids.
While I don’t want to speak for her, I dare say it was a beautiful Mother’s Day, and I would bet you a birria ramen that she felt the same.
By the way, if you haven’t had the chance to check out South Skookum yet, you won’t regret it. It’s about 1.38 miles roundtrip with some incline, but nothing too steep. Five benches are placed along the trail at different points, so there’s plenty of opportunities to sit and take it all in. There is a $5 day use fee for those who are not staying in the campground.
From Newport, follow State Highway 20 north for 15 miles to the town of Usk. Cross the bridge over the Pend Oreille River on the east edge of town and follow the Kings Lake Road (County Road 3389) eight miles to the junction of Forest Road 5032350 (Kings Mountain).
Follow Kings Mountain for 0.5 mile to the campground entrance. The trailhead is located in the campground near the boat ramp.
Be safe, get outside, have fun, and if you can, bring Mom.
Sophia Mattice-Aldous is not a doctor, dietician, extreme sports enthusiast, or a mini Sasquatch, though some of her exes may disagree with that last one. She just enjoys the opportunity to be outside and hike. If you have any recommendations where she should go next, email [email protected].
