Harald, a colleague at work, who is here on a project from his company in Norway, planned this trip. We asked a few other coworkers to come along, but didn't get any volunteers for this trip.

The knife may not be of use during a bear encounter, but is sure handy to cut wood and food.

Approaching the first stream another friend at work, Daniel, had told us about.

I got off the car to take photographs while Harald crossed the stream with the car.

First stream crossing in car successful.

The second stream of water on the rood is deeper than the first one. Daniel had told us if we couldn't cross the streams, there was a place to park nearby and we'd have an extra mile to walk.

It appears this second stream crossing my be too much for this car.

Yep, better to not risk taking the car across this water.

So we decide to leave the car here and walk about a mile to the start of the trail.

The hike begins a little earlier than planned as we had to leave the car near the second stream crossing. Walking a mile wearing Nike Free shoes on these stones and asphalt upto the trail head will make the rest of the trail feel comfortable.

We reached the trail head after a mile walk.

Start of the trail. This is where we entered the wilderness.

On the first day of the hike, there were several small stream crossings. These were no match for the river crossings that awaited us later.

This island looks like a nice place to relax, cook a meal and set up camp.

Harald was attacked by a wasp here the first day. He said the sting hurt a lot. The next day I received six wasp stings including the first one on my forehead while crossing the river on slippery rocks at the same spot. Yes, the stings hurt a lot. I didn't want my camera, wallet or phone in the water, so I had to land with my knee on a rock and scramble out of the water. I didn't even notice my knee hurting thanks to pain from the 6 wasp stings.

Crossing the river to the island.

The Nike Free shoes added to the joy of walking on slippery rocks with the 30-pound backpack.

What a joy to take off my shoes and relax on the island after hours of hiking.

Unloaded our backpacks on the island to relax a bit.