BANNER FOREST HIKE - TRIP REPORT

Who went: DJ, David, Elisha, Alex, Sam, Zach, Jordon, Gabe, Isaac, Mr T, Mrs K, Mrs G, and Scrapper (David's dog)

When: Monday, August 27, 2007. 9:00 - 6:30

Where: Banner Forest near Ollala, WA

Distance: Our route, near as we could tell (conservative estimates of distance) followed these paths:
Crooked Stick - .8 miles
Banner Alley - .4 miles
Wormhole - .3 miles
Lizard King - .7 miles
Banner Slough - .25 miles
Mish Mash - .75 miles
Croaking Frog - .5 miles
Tunnel Vision - .3 miles
Donald Duck - .4 miles
Wired Brain - .3 miles
Service Road - .25 miles
misc connecting trails - .5 miles
Break for lunch at Blue Gate (mileage = 5.25 miles)

Donald Duck - 1 mile
Fusion - .5 miles
Stinky Seat - .25 miles
Fusion - .25 miles
Service Road - .25 miles
Roller Coaster - .5 miles
Dead End - 1 mile
Shifty Rabbit - .75 miles
Service Road - 1 mile
Gamma - .3 miles
Crooked Stick - .2 miles
End at Main Parking lot (mileage = 6 miles)

Total mileage - very conservative estimate = 11.25 miles

Level: Moderate - Easy. Minimal elevation gain. (4/9)

What was the most fun?
When it ended.
Lunch
The beginning parts

What we did:
Hiked, hiked, and hiked again.
Talked
Worked with Isaac on his compass skills.
Got lost several times.
Went chasing after lost people *cough*Gabe*cough*

Water Source:
Our own water bottles

What we saw:
Trees
Ponds
Benches that were an Eagle project
Dogs
2 bikers
Gate
Forked shaped trees

The most challenging thing:
Figuring out where we were.
Hiking
The whole hike

What I brought:
Ten Essentials
Water (lots of water)
Lunch
Gatorade
Sack Lunch
Daypack

What we learned:
Go over hiking rules before you leave.
Don't ever leave your buddy, ever.
It's more fun to hike to a destination.
Stay with the person leading, even if he's wrong.
Straight hikes are more fun.
It's okay to ask for help (Thanks, Mr. Travis!)
Check if it's bear season.
Would like to have had a bike on this one

Suggestions for other people doing this hike:
Even though there's no elevation gain, the trails are still up and down, especially Roller Coaster.
Don't get lost on Donald Duck. It's not very well marked, and isn't what's on the map.
Bring water.
Bring a bike.

Conclusion:
I didn't like this hike because there were too many turns.
My feet hurt.
Better be in good shape for this.
Never again unless I'm on a mountain bike.
Would not go again.

Adult's note: Even though the map showed one, there is NO sani-kan on the trail or restroom anywhere near it.