Olympic National Park

Easier Hikes
Lake Constance Way Trail . . . Longest 2 miles of your life - what a climb!
Skokomish River Trail . . . 15.1 miles. Fish and hike along this famous trout river.
12. Main Fork Dosewallips River Trail . . . 15. 4 miles. Good views, banks of rhododendrons.
West Fork Dosewallips River Trail. . . 10 miles. Great wilderness experience.
Duckabush River Trail . . . 23 miles. Starts in the Brothers Wilderness, then climbs to subalpine lake and then on to O'Neil Pass.
Upper Lena Lake . . . 7 miles. Good fishing, good views.
Flapjack Lakes Trail . . . 5.6 miles. Heavily used, lots of flowers.
LaCrosse Pass Trail . . . 6.4 miles. Low use. Pretty.
O'Neil Pass Trail . . . 7.4 miles up a wooded ridge.

Easier Hikes

Staircase
Shady Lane Nature Trail begins across the bridge from the Staircase Ranger Station. Three miles round trip.

Staircase Rapids Loop Trail begins across the bridge from the Ranger Station. It passes through heavy virgin forest along the Skokomish River, crosses Staircase Rapids at 1.0 mile and returns to Ranger Station on the east side of the river.

Lake Constance Way Trail
Lake Constance Trailhead to Lake Constance

NPS unmaintained route of heavy use. An extremely steep, rough scramble through rocks and forest to subalpine Lake Constance. Rocks often slick and dangerous, route is obscure in places. Trees down along the route. Elevation gain in 2 miles is 3,264'.

From the lake are climbing routes to Mt. Constance. Lake provides limited fishing for Eastern Brook Trout. The lake is surrounded by high rock cliffs.

Maps Custom Correct - Gray Wolf, DosewallipsGreen Trails - The Brothers, Wash #168

Access At 14.3 miles on Dosewallips River Road, Forest Service Road #2610, (see main Fork Dosewallips River Trail) is a marked trailhead. Check at Dosewallips Ranger Station for further directions if necessary. No parking area, park in road turnouts only. RV's and camp trailers should not travel beyond Elkhorn Campground (11 miles) due to road steepness and large rock overhanging the road.

Trail use First and primary campsite is Lake Constance which is a quota area. Reservations are available up to 30 days in advance through the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, (360) 565-3100. Area receives heavy use. No other suitable campsites enroute. Avalanche canyon (above Lake Constance) and entire drainage are included in quota. Camping restricted to north side of lake only. Permits may be obtained at Dosewallips ranger station or the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles. Stoves-only area.

0.0 Lake Constance Trailhead (1400 ft. elevation)
1.5 Creek bed (3900 ft.)
2.0 Lake Constance (4664 ft.)

Off Season Use The route becomes very icy where it follows next to swift flowing Constance Creek. In snow, route-finding can be very difficult except to scramble straight up the creek canyon. Road is not maintained in winter, closed at boundary from mid-October through mid-May, adding 1/2 mile to hike.

Management Concerns Lake Constance has been one of the most heavily used and abused areas. Major revegetation/restoration was started in 1994. Over 25,000 plands and 3000 volunteer hours were needed. PLEASE STEP LIGHTLY AND CAREFULLY! Travel on established trails and reduce impact. Lake Constance and vicinity is a quota area: 20 persons per night. Campsites are limited.

Skokomish River Trail
Staircase (Lincoln Guard Station) to Upper Duckabush

NPS all purpose trail with moderate use. The first 3.8 miles ascend gradually along the old road bed. The trail passes through moderate size timber with large Douglas firs.

Gradually ascending to Nine Stream, the trail then begins a steeper climb into the subalpine of First Divide at the Skokomish headwaters. The trail drops down into the Duckabush to end at the Duckabush Trail jct. at Upper Duckabush.

Points of Interest The Skokomish is a popular "catch and release, artificial lures only" trout river. The subalpine First Divide area offers excellent views of peaks in the southeast corner of the Olympics. Open meadows on the Duckabush side have many alpine flowers and marmots.

Maps Custom Correct - Enchanted Valley-Skokomish, The Brothers-Mt Anderson
15 min Custom Correct - Mt. Skokomish, Lake Cushman
Green Trails - Mt. Steele
15 min USGS - Mt. Steele

Access The Lake Cushman Road leaves US 101 at Hoodsport. At 15.0 miles is the Park boundary with Staircase Ranger Station and campground (no hook-ups) at 16.0 miles. Horse holding facility and parking area at the trailhead.

Trail Use Primary destinations include Big Log Camp, Camp Pleasant, Nine Stream, First Divide area. There are other campsites, though not numerous, along the route. There is adequate water.

0.0Staircase Trailhead(785 ft. elevation)

3.8Jct. with Flapjack Trail (1475 ft.)

5.3Big Log Camp(1560 ft.)

5.6Jct. with Six Ridge Trail (1475 ft.)

6.6Camp Pleasant(1600 ft.)

9.1Nine Stream (2090 ft.)

12.4First Drive (4688 ft.)

13.2Home Sweet Home(4198 ft.)

15.1Jct. with Duckabush River Trail(2700 ft.)

Off Season Use The Skokomish River Trail is a favorable area for off-season hiking. Access to the trailhead depends on snow conditions as the road is sometimes impassable. When the trailhead is snow free, the trail is generally snowfree for at least 4 miles. Snow remains in the Home Sweet Home Basin until late in the season.

Management Concerns Heavy use occurs in this corridor by groups going to and from Staircase. Main impact areas are Camp Pleasant, Nine Stream, First Divide, Home Sweet Home and Upper Duckabush. Revegetation has been initiated at Camp Pleasant. Stoves-only from Two Bear Camp below First Divide to below Home Sweet Home.

Main Fork Dosewallips River Trail
Dosewallips Trailhead to Hayden Pass

NPS all purpose trail with moderate use. Gradually ascending to Dose Meadows where steady switchbacksbegin to Hayden Pass. Forest is moderate size fir, hemlock and cedar. Rhododendron groves at 2-3.0 miles. Open areas begin near Bear Camp and continue into the subalpine Dose Meadows and Hayden pass.

Maps
Custom Correct - Graywolf, Dosewallips
Green Trails - #135 and #136

Access
The Dosewallips River Road joins US 101 at Brinnon, WA (26 miles north of Hoodsport). The first 8 miles are paved; the last 8 miles are gravel. At 14.5 miles, the road is steep and not recommended for trailers because of the large overhanging rock. At 16.0 miles is NPS Dosewallips Ranger Station (summer),primitive campground, and trailhead. Parking area and stock area. Road is closed at the park boundary (14.5 miles) off season, October through March.

Trail Use
Primary destinations are Dose Forks, Cub Creek, Bear Camp and Dose Meadows. All receive heavy use, but there are only a few alternative campsites with water sources. Stock users will want to pack feed as there is very little before Dose Meadows.

0.0Dosewallips Trailhead(1600 ft. elevation)

1.5Dose Forks(1736 ft.)

2.5Jct. with Constance Pass Trail(2182 ft.)

7.8Deception Creek(3156 ft.)

9.2Jct. with Gray Wolf Pass Trail(3600 ft.)

11.0Bear Camp(3850 ft.)

12.8Dose Meadows and Lost Pass Trail Jct.(4450 ft.)

15.4Hayden Pass(5847 ft.)

Points of Interest
There are several cross-country routes accessible off this trail. Sentinel Peak, Lost Peak, Thousand Acre Meadow are a few. Good views of the interior Olympics are obtained from Hayden Pass. The trail along the upper section offers numerous views down valley and of the surrounding high country. The only accessible area for fishing is Dose Forks, Bear camp. Deer and bear are frequently seen.

Off Season Use
The Dosewallips road is closed at the park boundary during the winter. When hiking from the closure, add 1.5 miles to above hike milages. Generally trail conditions, except for snow and avalanche hazard at higher elevations, present no special problems that might not be encountered elsewhere in the park. The road is not regularly maintained or patrolled in winter. Rock slides and fallen trees could present a problem in getting to the boundary and getting back out to Hwy 101.

West Fork Dosewallips River Trail
Dosewallips Trailhead to Anderson Pass

NPS all purpose trail with heavy use. Grade is gradually ascending except for one steep grade at about 3.0miles. Douglas-fir, hemlock, cedar, salal and dryer environment dominates to Honeymoon Meadows which is open montane zone meadow. The climb just before Honeymoon and beyond, steepens, climbing by switchbacks through the trees to partially wooded Anderson Pass (some open views at the pass). Here, a way trail continues to Anderson Glacier (0.75 miles) and Mt. Anderson climbing routes.

Maps
Custom Correct - The Brothers, Mt. Anderson
Green Trails - The Brothers #168, Mt Steel #167

Access
The Dosewallips River Road joins US 101 at Brinnon, WA (26 miles north of Hoodsport). First 8 miles of road are paved; second 8 miles are gravel. At 14.5 miles, road is steep and not recommended for trailers because of large overhanging rock. At 16.0 miles is NPS Dosewallips Ranger Station (summer), primitive campground, and trailhead. Parking area and stock area. Road is closed at the park boundary (14.5 miles) off season.

Trail Use
Primary destinations include Dose Forks, Big Timber camp, Diamond Meadows, Honeymoon Meadows. All receive heavy use but there are few alternative camp-sites with water. Packstock use horse ford 50 yards upstream of Diamond Meadows footlog.

0.0Dosewallips Trailhead (1600 ft. elevation)

1.5Dose Forks (1736 ft.)

4.0Big Timber Camp (2300 ft.)

6.7Diamond Meadows (2692 ft.)

8.8Honeymoon Meadows Ranger Station (3527 ft.)

9.3Jct. with LaCrosse Pass Trail (3627 ft.)

10.0Anderson Pass Jct with Anderson Glacier way trail (4464 ft.)

Elk, bear, deer and marmot can occasionally be seen in the Anderson Pass area. Fishing access to the river is limited to Dose Forks, Big Timber areas. Views from the Pass are of the Dosewallips and East Fork Quinault drainages. A "summer only" ranger station is located at Honeymoon Meadows.

Off Season Use
The Dosewallips road is closed at the park boundary during the winter. When hiking from the closure, add 1.5 miles to above hike milages. Generally trail conditions, except for snow and avalanche hazard at higher elevations, present no special problems that might not be encountered elsewhere in the park. The road is not regularly maintained or patrolled in winter. Rock slides and fallen trees could present a problem in getting to the boundary and getting back out. In addition, Diamond Meadows footlog frequently washes out in winter.

Management Concerns
Moderate to heavy impacts to soils and vegetation in high use areas at Dose Forks, Big Timber, Diamond Meadows, Honeymoon Meadows and Anderson Pass. Users are asked to camp lightly and observe stoves-only requirements from 1/2 mile before Honeymoon Meadows and above.

Duckabush River Trail
Duckabush Trailhead to O'Neil Pass

USFS maintenance for first 6.7 miles through The Brothers Wilderness. NPS foot trail with low to moderate use the remaining distance. Grade is gradual through dryer, east side forest until Upper Duckabush. Beyond, the grade is steeper, climbing into the subalpine headwaters at Marmot Lake and then on to O'Neil Pass.

Trout fishing in the Duckabush River. Subalpine views beyond Upper Duckabush to O'Neil Pass. Duckabush-Quinault ridgeline is more complex than it appears on topographic maps. Caution should be used in cross-country route-finding there. Numerous small alpine lakes in the Duckabush head-waters.

Maps
Custom Correct - The Brothers, Mt. Anderson
Green Trails - Mt. Steele, The Brothers

Access
Duckabush River Road (USFS #2510) leaves US 101, 22 miles north of Hoodsport and continues 7 miles to Duckabush Trailhead. Parking area horse holding facilities. Nearest campground is Camp Collins, 1 mile before the trailhead on US Forest Service Road #2510.

Trail Use
Lower Duckabush is a low use area with many campsites. Upper Duckabush and Marmot/Hart Lakes are primary destinations on the upper portion of the trail. Upper Duckabush crossing changes annually and sometimes causes difficulty for hikers if there are no good logs to cross. Minor route-finding difficulties might also be encountered in that area.

0.0duckabush Trailhead(440 ft. elevation)

6.2NPS Boundary(1300 ft.)

11.0Ten-Mile Camp(1500 ft.)

15.7Jct. with LaCrosse Pass Trail(2677 ft.)

18.0Upper Duckabush(2695 ft.)

18.0Jct. with skokomish River Trail(2695 ft.)

21.0Marmot Lake, jct. with Hart and LaCrosse LakeTrail(4350 ft.)

23.0O'Neil Pass(5000 ft.)

Off Season Use
The Lower Duckabush Valley is often snow free until well into the winter. However, Big Hump, on the USFS approach, becomes steep and icy. Upper Duckabush is often snow covered well into the summer season. The river ford at Upper Duckabush can be very difficult in periods of high water.

Management Concerns
Ten Mile Camp and Upper Duckabush receive the majority of overnight impacts at lower elevations in the valley, while Marmot and Hart Lakes have concentrations of users at higher elevations later in the summer. Stoves-only zone primarily at Marmot Lake and vicinity, including O'Neil Pass.

Upper Lena Lake
Lena Lake Trailhead to Upper Lena Lake

USFS foot trail maintenance to Lower Lena Lake (heavy use) and to Olympic National Park boundary. NPS foot trail continues to Upper Lena Lake with moderate use. Grade is steady ascent by switchbacks to wooded lower lake, then ascending steeply by switchbacks to subalpine upper lake and views enroute.

Maps
Custom Correct - The Brothers-Mt. Anderson
15 min USGS - The Brothers
Green Trails - The Brothers

Access
USFS Hamma Hamma Road (#25) leaves US 101, 14 miles north of Hoodsport. At 8 miles is USFS LenaCreek campground and Lena Lake Trailhead. The road is paved. Small parking area.

Trail Use
Primary destinations are Lower Lena Lake and Upper Lena Lake. There are very few campsite alternatives, although water is plentiful along the trail, between the lower and upper lakes. Some portions of the upper trail lack adequate tread surface making if difficult for inexperienced hikers.

0.0 Lena Lake Trailhead (700 ft. elevation)
2.7 Lower Lena Lake (1800 ft.)
7.0 Upper Lena Lake (4550 ft.)

Points of Interest
Fishing in both lakes is available. Climbing routes for the Brothers and Mt. Bretherton enroute. Alpineflowers and views are exceptional enroute to and at Upper Lena.

Off Season Use
Snow accumulation is the major difficulty with accompanying route finding difficulties. Rocks can become very icy and are steep. Creek crossing 1 mile below Upper Lena Lake is notoriously difficult after only moderate rains.

Management Concerns
Long-term impacts at Upper Lena Lake. Revegetation has been applied to the worst of the bare ground areas. Number of campsites adjacent to Upper Lena Lake are restricted and managed. Water quality and sanitation are questionable, especially in late summer due to heavy concentrations of users in the summer. Stoves-only zone in this area. Camp in designated sites only. Scout lake is closed to camping.

Flapjack Lakes Trail
Skokomish River Trail to Gladys Divide

NPS foot trail with heavy use. From the Skokomish River Trail at a point along the old road grade, trail turns into the forest and begins a steady ascent with switchbacks to Flapjack Lakes at treeline. Trail continues up to Gladys Divide at ridge between Skokomish and Hamma Hamma drainages.

Maps
Custom Correct - Enchanted Valley - Skokomish
Green Trails - Mt. Steel #167

Trail Use
Primary destination is Flapjack Lakes which is a high use quota area. There is adequate water along the route, but campsites are limited.

0.0Jct. Skokomish River Trail, 3.8 miles from Staircase(1475 ft. elevation)

1.5Madeline Creek(2100 ft.)

3.6Jct. with Black and White /Smith Lakes Trail (3500 ft.)

4.2Flapjack Lakes, ranger station (summer) (3900 ft.)

5.6Gladys Divide (5000 ft.)

Points of Interest
Flapjack Lakes lay side by side at treeline at the base of the interesting rock formations of the short Sawtooth Range. Climbing routes in the Sawtooths and cross-country routes take off from Gladys Divide. Nearby, Black and White Lakes were mangenese mining camp locations before the area became a park. Beargrass in season and other flowers abound.

Off Season Use
The Skokomish River Trail is a favorable area for off-season hiking. Access to the trailhead depends on snow conditions as the road is sometimes impassable. When the trailhead is snow free, the trail is generally snowfree for at least 4 miles. Staircase Ranger Station is staffed year round to issue permits. Snow remains in the Home Sweet Home Basin until late in the season. The last four miles of the trail receive heavy snow accumulation. Route is well marked, but difficult to travel with snow due to steepness of grade. Be sure to register at the ranger station.

Management Concerns
Camping at Flapjack Lakes is restricted to 30 persons per night. Reservations are available up to 30 days in advance during the summer and should be made through the Wilderness Information Center. Part of the quota is available for day-of-hike registration, which is managed through the Staircase Ranger Station.

Because of the heavy, concentrated use, camping is permitted only in designated sites. Vegetation has been extensively restored. Pleae, stay off all restoration areas. Two toilets are available. Please do not use the cat hole method of disposing of human waste within 1/4 mile of Flapjack Lakes. Flapjack Lakes and vicinity extending to and including Gladys Divide are "stoves only" areas.

LaCrosse Pass Trail
Duckabush River Trail to West Fork Dosewallips River Trail

NPS foot trail of low use. The trail ascends steeply from the Duckabush through timber to treeline at approximately 5,000'. It then continues up through open meadows to rocky, exposed LaCrosse Pass. The descent into the Dosewallips is much more gradual following down along the side hill most of the distance to some switchbacks at the bottom.

Maps
Custom Correct - Enchanted Valley-Skokomish, The Brothers-Mt Anderson
7.5 min USGS - Mt. Steele
15 min USGS - Mt. Steele
Green Trails - Mt. Steele

Trail Use
There are no campsites and few water sources on the Duckabush side of the Pass. There are a few more water sources but still few suitable campsites on the Dosewallips side. The tread is too narrow for packstock use.

0.0Duckabush River Trail at 15.9 (2677 ft. elevation)

3.1LaCross Pass (5566 ft.)

6.4West Fork Dosewallips River Trail at 9.1 miles (0.3 mile above Honeymoon Meadows)(3627 ft.)

Off Season Use
The Pass usually is one of the last to be snow free in the park. The upper portions of the route can be very brushy as maintenance is not on a regular basis. Conditions on the two approach trails may limit off season use as well as compounding route finding and avalanche danger over the Pass in snow cover.

O'Neil Pass Trail
Upper East Fork Quinault to O'Neil Pass

NPS foot trail of low to moderate use. The route ascends from the East Fork Quinault River Trail at 16.0 miles (3 miles above the Enchanted Valley Chalet). The route climbs gradually in a southwesterly direction up the wooded ridge. It breaks into the open and continues ascending to O'Neil Pass. The tread is frequently quite narrow and is sometimes brushy, but distinct.

Good views are obtainable from the upper portions of the trail. Elk and bear can be seen in the area.

MapsCustom Correct - Enchanted Valley, Skokomish
15 min USGS - Mt. Steele
15 min Custom Correct - The Brothers, Mt. Anderson
Green Trails - Mt. Steele

Trail Use
There are few campsites along the route. White Creek Basin has both water and sites. There is also a large camping site 0.1 mile from the junction with the East Fork Quinault Trail. Water sources are frequent along the trail. Path is too narrow to be safe for stock.

0.0East Fork Quinault River Trail at 16.0 miles (3 miles above the Enchanted Valley Chalet, and 1.5 miles below Anderson Pass)(3010 ft.)

1.5White Creek Basin (cross country)(5500 ft.)

7.4O'Neil Pass (5000 ft.)

Off-Season Use
The route is difficult to traverse when under snow due to the steepness of the hillside. It is also a difficult route to follow in water. The O'Neil Pass area is very exposed to foul weather conditions.

More hikes in. . .
Olympic Coast |Northern Olympics | Elwha River-Hurricane Ridge
the Rainshadow |Hood Canal |Western Approaches.