Olympic National Park Hiking the Rainshadow
- Easier Hikes
- Grand Valley Trail . . . 7.8 miles of extended alpine views. Wildflowers & marmots.
- Cameron Creek Trail . . . 13.3 miles. Follow the creek to the Dosewallips River
- Royal Creek Trail . . . 7.2 miles. Passes by avalanche area with spectacular display of wildflowers.
- Upper Graywolf River Trail . . . 13 miles. Old-growth forest to sub-alpine area.

Easier Hikes
Dosewallips Terrace Loop Trail begins and ends 100 yards from the Dosewallips Ranger Station on the Dosewallips River trail. The Dosewallips River is accessible along this 1.5 mile trail.
Grand Valley Trail (#88+89) Obstruction Point to Grand Pass
NPS foot trail with high use. After a gradual ascent and following Lillian Ridge, the trail descends rather steeply with narrow grade to Grand Lake. It then follows Grand Creek up past Moose and Gladys Lakes before climbing steeply to Grand Pass. The entire area is located in a fragile subalpine environment. Extended alpine views of the entire route make this a very popular hike. Opportunities for seeing marmots and wildflowers. Grand and Moose Lakes contain brook trout. Maps Custom Correct - Graywolf, Dosewallips Green Trails - Mt. Angeles 7.5 min USGS - Maiden Peak 15 min USGS - Mt. Angeles Access The Obstruction Point Trailhead parking lot is at the end of the Obstruction Point Road (gravel, single track, winding) 8 miles from Hurricane Ridge parking lot. Hurricane Ridge is 17.0 miles from the Pioneer
Memorial Museum. The nearest campground is Heart O' the Hills. There are no horse facilities nearby. Trail Use Primary destinations are Grand and Moose Lakes. This trail is not passable to pack stock due to the steep talus slopes it traverses. Tread is narrow but presents no problem to hikers. | 0.0 | Obstruction Point Trailhead | (6100 ft.) | | 3.7 | Grand Lake, junction w/ Badger Valley Trail | (4750 ft.) | | 4.1 | Moose Lake | (5100 ft.) | | 4.7 | Gladys Lake | (5400 ft.) | | 6.0 | Grand pass | (6400 ft.) | | 7.8 | Cameron Trail | (4150 ft.) |
Off season Use The Obstruction Point Road is not plowed. It is closed to motor vehicles whenever snow makes travel
difficult. It is therefore not advisable to park at the trailhead during times of the year when it may snow
heavily. When the road is open, the trail is usually snow free. In case of a storm
while in the valley, it is advisable to come out via the Badger Valley Trail (despite the difficult stream
crossing) since it is less exposed at the top. Management Concerns High use and moderate to heavy resource impacts. Use care with sanitation, especially near the lakes and
streams. Use toilet located at Grand Lake. Stoves-only in the total area. Reservations available for
overnight use in this quota area, although some backcountry areas of the park now require reservations while others in quota areas of the park have reservations available for 50 percent of the available sites. Register at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, phone (360) 565-3100. Campers MUST camp in designated sites only.
Cameron Creek Trail Three Forks to Dosewallips River via Cameron Creek
National Park Service trail maintained for foot traffic. Trail open to stock to Cameron Basin. Stock not
recommended beyond Cameron Basin. Trail begins at Three Forks camp and follows Cameron Creek to
Cameron Basin to Cameron Pass and onto Lost Pass and the Dosewallips River. The route climbs gradually up through mixed forest until it reaches the sub-alpine zone just below Cameron Basin. Maps Custom Correct - Gray Wolf - Dosewallips Green Trails - Tyler Peak #136 Access This trail can be accessed via Deer Park or the Lower Graywolf Trail. A small primitive campground is located at Deer Park. The Three Forks Trail descends 4.1 miles to Three Forks camp. Trail Use Water is available nearly the entire route. Boil or treat all drinking water. Campfires are prohibited above
4,000 ft. | 0.0 | Three Forks Camp | (2600 ft. elevation) | | 4.9 | Lower Cameron Shelter | (3800 ft.) | | 7.0 | Junction w/Grand Pass Trail | (3950 ft.) | | 9.0 | Cameron Basin | (5250 ft.) | | 10.5 | Cameron Pass | (6450 ft.) | | 12.4 | Lost Pass | (5550 ft.) | | 13.3 | Dosewallips Trail | (4450 ft.) |
Stock There are no stock facilities located at Deer Park. Trailers are not recommended on the Deer Park road as it is not wide enough. Off Season Use Snow lingers at Cameron Pass and Lost Pass until mid-summer. Ice axes are recommended during this
period of time. Avalanche conditions may be present from late fall to early summer. There are no fire
allowed above 4,000 ft. Management Concerns Hikers must camp in pre-existing sites and use pre-existing fire rings where fires are allowed. If travelling
cross-country, camp on bare ground only. Bury all human waste and pack out your toilet paper.
Royal Creek Trail Royal Creek to Royal Lake
This trail begins at USFS Dungeness Trailhead. 1.3 miles to Park Boundary. The route climbs steadily for about seven miles to Royal Lake. Stock are allowed only as far as the Lower Basin (5700 ft.) Stock are not allowed to Royal Lake. The Trail begins in dry open forest. Some trees are quite large. It passes through three or four avalanche
areas where spectacular displays of wildflowers can be seen. After about 4.5 miles the hiker begins to enter the sub-alpine zone which continues beyond Royal Lake. The trail follows the Dungeness River for one mile and then follows Royal Creek for the remainder of the hike. Maps Custom Correct - Gray Wolf - Dosewallips Green Trails - Tyler Peak, WA #136
Access The Dungeness Trailhead is located along USFS road #2860
approximately one hour from Sequim. Trail Use Boil, treat or filter all water. Beautiful sub-alpine meadows
can be found near Royal lake. Fires are not permitted above 4,000 feet. | 0.0 | Dungeness Trailhead | (2500 ft. elevation) | | 1.0 | Junction with Royal Creek | (2750 ft.) | | 1.5 | Park Boundary | (3000 ft.) | | 6.2 | Lower Basin | (4750 ft.) | | 7.2 | Royal Lake | (5100 ft.) |
Off-Season Use Royal Lake becomes snowfree late May to Mid June. Snow will
remain in the upper basin until late July.
Avalanche conditions and steep snow slopes exist through the
winter season. Management Concerns Royal Basin is one of the more heavily used sub-alpine lake
areas in Olympic National Park. Fires are not
permitted above 4000 ft. Camp only in designated sites at
Royal Lake and/or on bare ground. There are no
toilets in Royal Basin. Bury all human waste six inches or
more in organic soil. Pack out all toilet paper
and garbage. It is recommended that visitor urinate on rocks
or in trails. This will prevent deer and other
wildlife from digging up fragile vegetation. Hang all food as
bear and deer are present in the area. Some backcountry areas of the park now require reservations while others in quota areas of the park have reservations available for 50 percent of the available sites. For
the latest information contact the Wilderness
Information Center in Port Angeles, phone (360) 565-3100. Climbers Mt. Deception and the Needles are NOT walk-ups. Routes tend to
be very steep and the rock and snow tend
to be very rotten. Not recommended for inexperienced hikers or
climbers. Please check with Royal Basin
ranger (summer only) or the Wilderness Center conditions for
special hazards.
Upper Graywolf River Trail Park Boundary to Dosewallips River via Upper Graywolf Trail
National Park Service trail maintained for foot and stock traffic to Falls Creek shelter. Trail is seldom maintained beyond shelter. This trail climbs gradually through old growth forests up into the sub-alpine zone near Gray Wolf Pass. Cedar Lake way trail is not maintained and stock are prohibited on this trail.
Maps Custom Correct - Gray Wolf - Dosewallips Green Trails - Mt. Angeles #135 Tyler Peak #136
Access The Gray Wolf trail can be access via the USFS Gray Wolf Trailhead, the Slab Camp Trailhead, or the Three Forks Trailhead. Trail Use This trail receives moderate use. The majority of hikers start from Deer Park and come in via the Three
Forks Trail. There is plenty of water available once one hits the Gray Wolf trail. Campsites exist at Three
Forks, Camp Ellis, Falls Shelter. Hikers must camp in pre-existing sites. Stock Use There are no stock facilities at Deer Park or the Three Forks Trailhead. Stock users should follow signs at
Three Forks to the horse ford. DO NOT follow the foot trail. Stock will not be able to ford this way as the
river enters somewhat of a canyon. | 0.0 | Three Forks | (2250 ft. elevation) | | 2.7 | Camp Ellis | (3200 ft.) | | 5.4 | Falls Shelter | (4000 ft.) | | 9.5 | Graywolf Pass | (6200 ft.) | | 13.0 | Dosewallips River | (3600 ft.) |
Off Season Use During the winter, spring, and early summer season, Gray Wolf Pass will likely be under snow. Avalanche conditions may be present and ice ax is recommended. The trail is also subject to great numbers of windfall and washouts. Management Concerns Campers must camp in pre-existing campsites and use designated fire rings for campfires where allowed.
Campfires are prohibited above 4,000 ft. Cedar Lake Way Trail is not maintained and may be difficult to
follow in places. No Fires at Cedar Lake. More hikes in. . . Olympic Coast |
Northern Olympics |
Elwha River-Hurricane Ridge the Rainshadow |
Hood Canal |
Western Approaches.
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