These conditions are updated as reported from visitors and staff and may not reflect the what you find in the field. Conditions can change quickly in this wilderness park.
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Wilderness Backpacking Permits are required for all overnight hikes. For the most up to date information on how to obtain a permit, visit our Wilderness Trip Planner page.
Note about human waste resource impacts: In the last few years there has been a rise in human feces left unburied within the park and wilderness. In order to keep this a pristine and enjoyable resource into the future:
Always use toilets when available
When beyond 1/4 mile of a privy - walk at least 70 steps (200 feet) away from water, trails, and campsites, & dig a hole 8 inches deep in soil (not sand) to bury your human waste. Pack out your toilet paper.
The Sol Duc Road is typically closed in winter months.
All food, garbage, beverages & scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area. This also includes Cat Basin & all areas within the Main Fork Sol Duc River Drainage.
Trail was cleared of brush and deadfall to Flapjack Camp this summer
Per visitor reports, minimal camping is available at Bogachiel Camp due to erosion
Trail is washed out between Flapjack and 15 Mile camp, navigation around the washout can be difficult
Creek & river crossings can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation & seasonal snow melt
11/18/22
South Snider-Jackson Trail
Jct. Bogachiel River South Bank Trail to Hoh Road
10.0 miles
560' to 3200'
No recent report
The Bogachiel River must be forded. The ford regularly runs deep and can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation and/or seasonal snow melt
Trail is not currently stock passable
The only water source on this trail is Tumwata Creek at the north terminus
No recent reports beyond Lewis Meadow. Expect snow and winter conditions beyond the High Hoh Bridge at mile 13.
Bear canisters are now required at 5 Mile Island due to coyotes actively stealing food/gear items from visitors
In all other sites in the Hoh area, food & scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters or on a park established bear wire
The stock hitching post at 5 Mile Island has washed away. Trail is closed to stock (except llamas) beyond Elk Lake
Not passable to stock due to a recent 5 ft diameter tree falling across the trail 1-2 miles in from the trailhead
Campfires are not permitted at or above Elk Lake
Martin Creek, Elk Lake, & Glacier Meadows are in a quota area. Early reservations are recommended
11/18/22
Mount Olympus climbing routes
Mileage varies
This is a technical mountaineering climb & requires technical gear and skills
There is no blue bag deposit on the lateral moraine - climbers must bring a WAG bag or pick one up from the Port Angeles Wilderness Center to pack out human waste
Due to a road washout, the Elwha area is closed to vehicle access beyond the Madison Falls parking area. This adds an additional 6.5 miles of hiking to the Whiskey Bend Trailhead and ~8 miles to the Boulder Creek Trailhead.
The Elwha River and its tributaries are closed to fishing
Trail Name
Description
Mileage & Elevation
Conditions
Updated
Griff Creek Trail
Trailhead to end of trail
2.8 miles
400' to 3500'
No recent reports
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
About 20 down trees above 2200 feet in elevation, all of which are easy to step over or climb under.
Obstruction Point via Grand Valley & Pass to jct. of Cameron Creek Trail
7.7 miles
6100' to 4750'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Obstruction Point Road is closed for the season
For the latest on the status of the Obstruction Point Road click here
11/18/22
Cameron Pass Trail
Jct. Grand Pass Trail to Cameron Pass
3.6 miles
4150' to 6450'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Trail is difficult to navigate at the creek crossing about 1 mile NE of Upper Cameron camp area
Trees in Upper Cameron Basin are inadequate for food-hanging; bear canisters are required when food cannot be hung at least 12' high and 10' out from the nearest tree trunk
Trail not recommended for stock due to the steep grade
11/18/22
Cameron-Lost Pass Primitive Trail
Cameron Pass to Lost Pass
1.9 miles
6200' to 6450'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Trail can be difficult to follow along creek beds and meadow areas
Trailhead via Heather Park to jct. Switchback Trail
6.2 miles
1850' to 6000'
No recent reports
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Washouts and exposed sections of trail can make navigation difficult between Heather Park and Switchback Trail jct.
Bear canisters are required for food storage
Not recommended for stock
11/18/22
Switchback Trail
Trailhead to jct. of Lake Angeles & Heather Park Trails
1.6 miles
4400' to 5900'
Continuous snow along entire length of trail, with steep exposed slopes
Hurricane Ridge Road is opened on Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays through the winter season, weather permitting. The road can close with short notice at any time due to weather, avalanche conditions or a full parking lot.
Not recommended for stock
11/18/22
Hurricane Ridge to Switchback Trail
Jct. High Ridge Nature Trail to jct. Switchback Trail
2.8 miles
5300' to 5100'
Trail is snow covered and traverses avalanche terrain
Hurricane Ridge Road is opened on Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays through the winter season, weather permitting. The road can close with short notice at any time due to weather, avalanche conditions or a full parking lot.
Not recommended for stock
11/18/22
Wolf Creek Trail
Whiskey Bend Rd. to Hurricane Hill Picnic Area
8.1 miles
1198' to 5100'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Hurricane Ridge Road is opened on Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays through the winter season, weather permitting. The road can close with short notice at any time due to weather, avalanche conditions or a full parking lot.
The Olympic Hot Springs Road is washed out and must be hiked from the gate at Madison Falls
No recent report. Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Hurricane Ridge Road is opened on Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays through the winter season, weather permitting. The road can close with short notice at any time due to weather, avalanche conditions or a full parking lot.
Stock user reports dangerous location for stock 0.5 miles past first foot-log. Slide prevents stock users from moving forward on trail and backward on trail if already at the slide
Whiskey Bend Road to jct. Hurricane Hill Nature Trail
5.8 miles
400' to 5650'
No recent report.
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Hurricane Ridge Road is opened on Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays through the winter season, weather permitting. The road can close with short notice at any time due to weather, avalanche conditions or a full parking lot.
Bottom 3 miles of trail are very brushy getting to Whiskey Bend road
The Olympic Hot Springs Road is washed out and must be hiked from the gate at Madison Falls
Enchanted Valley - Bear canisters are required for all overnight camping above Pyrites Creek and below the O'Neil Pass Junction.
For the 2022 Summer season, the Quinault Wilderness Information Center will remain closed to the public but Rangers will be on hand to issue bear canisters 7 days a week, from 8 AM until 4 PM, beginning Friday May 27th and continuing through September 30th.
Due to the replacement of Pony Bridge, the East Fork of the Quinault River Trail will be impassable to stock (horses, mules, llamas, etc.) beyond mile 2.5 (Pony Bridge) beginning September 14th and continuing through March or April of 2023. Pony Bridge will remain open to foot traffic.
Trail Name
Description
Mileage & Elevation
Conditions
Updated
Irely Lake Trail
Trailhead (North Fork Quinault River Rd.) to Irely Lake
1.1 miles
500' to 600'
No recent report
The trail has been cleared of downed trees to Big Creek.
Closed to stock
11/26/22
Big Creek Trail
Irely Lake to Three Lakes
5.9 miles
600' to 3200'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
There is a section of damaged trail on the 3 Lakes side of the Big Creek crossing. Hikers can expect difficulties getting up the bank and accessing the trail immediately after crossing Big Creek
Expect to encounter several trees down on this trail and very brushy sections of trail as you get closer to 3 Lakes
There is no bridge over Big Creek. In winter and spring, the creek can be difficult or impossible to ford
Closed to stock
11/26/22
Three Lakes to Skyline Trail Jct.
Three Lakes to jct. Elip Creek Connector Trail
2.9 miles
3200' to 4000'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Due to the replacement of Pony Bridge, The East Fork of the Quinault River Trail will be impassable to stock at mile marker 2.5 (Pony Bridge) beginning September 14th and continuing through March or April of 2023. Pony Bridge will remain open to foot traffic
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
White Creek, below the O'Neil Pass Jct., must be forded and is impassable during heavy precipitation or snowemelt
All food and scented items must be stored in bear canisters in the Enchanted Valley area (between Pyrites Creek campsites - O'Neil Pass Trail Jct.)
Enchanted Valley has a large population of bears; stay a minimum of 50 yards away from park wildlife
**The Hart Lake and Lacrosse Lake Cutoff Routes may appear on some GPS devices/maps, but these are not trails. Hikers attempting these routes should expect cross-country conditions with steep/brushy slopes, loose rocks and no signage**
11/26/22
Queets Area:
Caution: The Queets River ford can be hazardous at any time of the year
Fording the Queets River can be dangerous. For river levels, visit Queets Stream Flow. The river is generally fordable when the flow (measured at Hwy 101 is below 800 CFS. The crossing can still be waist deep or deeper even at this level.
The river is generally not fordable during late fall, winter & spring.
Avoid fording the Queets River if the weather forecast calls for rain. River flow can become unfordable within a few hours of heavy rain causing hikers to be caught on the upriver side
There is a washout 0.3 miles west of Bob Creek, about 200 yards long with a bypass by the river
Trail past Bob Creek is difficult to follow due to the 2015 Paradise Fire and numerous downed trees. Route finding/navigational skills recommended. Camping past Bob Creek is not recommended due to standing dead trees
Trail is stock passable at least up to Spruce Bottom campsite, but unconfirmed beyond
11/26/22
Lower Crossing Route
Queets River Trail at Spruce Bottom to Smith Place
2.1 miles
400' to 500'
No recent reports
11/26/22
Sam's River Loop
Loop Trail from Queets Trailhead to Ranger Station
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
The Lena Creek ford can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation and seasonal snow melt.
No camping within 0.25 mile of Scout Lake
Upper Lena Lake is a quota area
Closed to stock
11/26/22
Gladys Divide Primitive Trail
Flapjack Lakes to Gladys Divide
1.4 miles
3900' to 5050'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Closed to stock
Bear canisters recommended above Flapjack Lakes; hanging food properly is difficult in this area
11/26/22
Black & White Lakes Primitive Trail
Jct. North Fork Skokomish River Trail at Big Log to Black & White Lakes, Smith Lake Jct.
2.5 miles
1500' to 4400'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Expect brushy, unmaintained conditions
There are no water sources on this steep trail
Closed to stock
Trees in this area are inadequate for food-hanging; bear canisters required when food cannot be hung at least 12' high and 10' out from the nearest tree truck
11/26/22
Black & White, Smith Lake Trail
Jct. Flapjack Lakes Trail, through Black & White Lakes, including Smith Lake
2.2 miles
3500' to 4400' to 3950'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Trail is brushy and narrow in places with several streams that require rock hopping or getting your feet wet
Steep and rocky trail from Black & White Lakes to Smith Lake
Jct. Sundown Lake Trail to North Fork Skokomish River Trail
10.6 miles
4650' to 1500'
No recent report
Expect to encounter snow and challenging route finding conditions. Ice axe recommended due to the number of steep, exposed slopes traversed on route, especially near Lake Sundown/Sundown Pass
Trail is difficult to follow through several meadows between Six Ridge Pass and the Lake Success/Mt. Olson Trail junction, with confusing game trails and way trails. Route-finding skills are necessary
No water sources between Belview and Seven Stream
11/26/22
Putvin Primitive Trail (Lake of the Angels)
Park boundary to Lake of the Angels
0.6 miles; 3 additional outside park boundary
1580' to 4900'
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
Four trees down from trailhead to lake. Trail is muddy, wet, brushy & steep
One section of the trail, known as the "headwall", is a scramble and requires the use of hands and feet.
Trees in this area are inadequate for food-hanging; bear canisters are required when food cannot be hung at least 12' high and 10' out from the nearest tree trunk
Park boundary to Jct. of Home Sweet Home & O'Neil Pass Trails
No recent report
Expect snow and winter conditions at higher elevations
At last report, there were more than 100 down trees from the trailhead to the Upper Duckabush ford
The Upper Duckabush ford can be hazardous during heavy precipitation and/or during early season snow melt
10 Mile privy has been destroyed
While the Hart Lake Cutoff and Lacrosse Lake Cutoff Routes may appear on some GPS devices and maps, these are not trails. Hikers attempting to complete these routes should expect cross-country hiking conditions
Ten-Mile bear wire is down. Be prepared to use a park-approved bear canister or hang your food 12 ft. high and 10 ft. out.
Marmot Lake bear wires are down. Bear canisters are required since the trees in this area are inadequate for food hanging.
Not stock passable as of 7/4/15. Stock highlines are down
11/26/22
Dosewallips Area:
Bear canisters are required camping at Enchanted Valley from above Pyrites Creek until the O'Neil Pass Jct.
The Dosewallips Rd. is washed out east of the Dosewallips Campground adding 6.5 miles of hiking to your trip
Cannonball Island (Tskawahyah Island) is part of the Ozette Indian Reservation and is always closed to the public. Please respect this closure.
All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in park approved Bear Canisters at all times along the entire Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast
Cryptosporidium and giardia exist in coastal streams and rivers. Always filter or boil water as Iodine is not an effective water. Some streams may contain saltwater at high tide
Coastal routes and stream crossings can be extremely difficult or impossible to traverse during high surf or heavy rain events. Always check weather and tides before attempting a coastal hike. Plan your trip in advance with a tide chart and topographic map with tidal markings
Ropes on overland trails are not installed or maintained by the National Park Service. Use at your own risk.
Storms can bring high wind and surf, storm surges, and beach and trail erosion. Always check tides, weather & road conditions.
Stock, wheeled devices, & pets are not allowed on coastal routes
Headland routes are often muddy, brushy & slick. Headland markers/targets can sometimes be obscured by vegetation or fall down
The north toilet is located at the south end of the wooded campsites at the park boundary, the center toilet is located behind the large Petroleum Creek campsite & the south toilet is in the forest north of Willoughby Creek
Ozette River ford can be hazardous at high tide and/or after heavy rain. It is recommended to ford when the tide is below 2 ft.
Loop including Ozette Ranger Station, Cape Alava & Sand Point
9 miles
Trail is in good condition overall. Some sections of the boardwalk are weak and extremely slippery if wet
Wedding Rocks camp area does not have a steady water source. The closest water source is the creek near Cape Alava
11/26/22
Sand Point to Rialto Beach
Sand Point camp area south to Rialto Beach Parking Lot
17.3 miles
The headland routes, which must be used at high tides, are steep and treacherous. Ropes may be in place, but are not maintained by NPS and should be tested prior to use
Note that there are many tidal restrictions along this section of the coast that require advanced planning with a tide chart
Caution: Diamond Rock, located ~1.5 miles north of the Oil City Trailhead, must be crossed at a very low tide, below 2 feet. Trips that travel through this area require advanced planning with tide charts. Diamond Rock can be impassable for numerous days in a row
There are no main water sources between Scott Creek & Jackson Creek (located just south of Toleak Point) making for a 2.5 mile dry section
Always use the Taylor Point, Third Beach & Scott Bluff overland trails- travel on the beach around these are impossible
The overland routes at Third Beach & Scott Bluff are steep/exposed. Rope & ladders are up to assist hikers but are not maintained by the park
The overland trail between Mosquito Creek & Hoh Head was extensively repaired over the summer, but expect slick, muddy conditions
Camping at Jefferson Cove may not be possible during high tide
During the winter, traveling south of Third Beach is only recommended for experienced backpackers due to high streamflow, navigating the bluffs and deep muddy sections. Stream crossings at Goodman & Mosquito Creek can be difficult even during low tides
11/26/22
Oil City Trail
Hoh River Bank to Trailhead at Oil City
0.6 miles
Campsites are limited on the coast at the mouth of the Hoh River
Trail is slightly brushy but in good condition. Beach access/exit at the mouth of the Hoh River is cut off at high tide or when the river is at flood stage in winter. Plan ahead by checking tide charts and the weather forecast.
