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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General Notices: Navigation
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 Reservations page.
In alignment with the Makah Tribe's closure of the Makah Reservation and Ozette Reservation (located north of Cape Alava), the wilderness area north of Cape Alava, including Shi Shi Beach, remains closed to all park visitors until further notice.
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.
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.
Trailhead to North Fork of North Fork Sol Duc (mile 6.3)
9.3 miles
1600' to 2800'
No recent reports
The North Fork Sol Duc must be forded at one mile. The ford regularly runs deep & can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation & seasonal snowmelt
Some creek & river crossings can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation & seasonal snow melt
8/24/21
South Snider-Jackson Trail
Jct. Bogachiel River South Bank Trail to Hoh Road
10.0 miles
560' to 3200'
Trail is mostly clear with some downed trees in the first 2 miles heading south
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
Take caution if traveling up to Glacier Meadows. An avalanche chute on route requires hikers to utilize a rope ladder to get down a steep and loose rock slope
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
Campfires are not permitted at or above Elk Lake
Martin Creek, Elk Lake, & Glacier Meadows are in a quota area. Early reservations are recommended
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
Trail is mildly brushy with approximately 35 downed trees
Steep, exposed grade (no canopy) through the 1978 burn. No water sources along this trail until C.B. Flats.
Not stock passable
7/26/21
South Fork Hoh River Trail
Trailhead to end of maintained trail
4.2 miles
750' to 800'
Trail is in good shape, one medium sized tree down
6/29/21
Lake Crescent Area:
Trail Name
Description
Mileage & Elevation
Conditions
Updated
Mt. Storm King Trail
Jct. Barnes Creek Trail to end of trail (mile 1.7)
1.7 miles
700' to 2700'
No recent reports
Caution: note the "End of Maintained Trail" sign. Beyond this is exposed & steep with loose rock. Visitors may put up ropes in this location - these are not installed or maintained by the NPS & may be unsafe
Closed to stock
Fires are prohibited along this trail
7/25/21
Barnes Creek Trail
Jct. Marymere Falls Trail to jct. Upper Barnes Creek Primitive Trail
3.3 miles
800' to 2000'
Trail is in good condition
7/25/21
Upper Barnes Creek Primitive Trail
Barnes Creek Trail to Hughes Creek/Barnes Creek Divide
5.3 miles
2000' to 3600'
No recent reports
Trail may be difficult to follow near the end. Lizard Head creek can be difficult to cross.
Closed to stock
7/25/21
Aurora Divide Trail
Barnes Creek Trail to jct. Aurora Ridge Trail
3.6 miles
500' to 2000'
No recent reports
7/25/21
Aurora Creek Trail
Trailhead (HWY 101) to jct. Aurora Ridge Trail
3.4 miles
500' to 4200'
Trail is clear of snow until just before the jct. with Aurora Ridge. Trail is mostly clear of downed trees
Closed to stock
6/9/21
Aurora Ridge Trail
Sol Duc Road to jct. Happy Lake Ridge Trail
16.9 miles
1200' to 5000'
About 15 downed threes between trailhead and Happy Lake Ridge trail, mostly after Eagle Lakes jct. Moderate to difficult route finding in open meadows from Aurora Springs to Barnes Creek trail jct.
No water after the first mile of trail (excluding Eagle Lakes) to the bottom of the switchbacks east of Sourdough Mountain
Eagle Lakes Trail is closed to stock
7/25/21
Pyramid Peak Trail
Trailhead (Camp David Junior Road) to summit of Pyramid Peak
3.5 miles
650' to 3000'
No recent reports
The trail through the slide area may not be passable for some groups; this section has trail tread less than 1 ft. and may become challenging when wet
The trail is currently not passable to stock
7/25/21
Spruce Railroad Trail
Dead end of East Beach Road to dead end of Camp David Jr. Road
4.0 miles
Trail is open: Debris from a landslide in early January has been cleared and repairs completed
Clallum County has re-opened the East Beach Road for the summer season
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
Geyser Valley, Krause Bottom, Rica Canyon & Humes Ranch Loop
4.3 miles
1198' to 900'
Cut-off trail to Goblin's Gate has ~30 downed trees & 1 small rock slide that is easily passable. ~50 downed trees from Goblin's Gate to Humes Ranch, some are large and more difficult to pass
Bear wire is located near to meadow below Humes Cabin
Jct. Humes Ranch Loop Trail (mile 1.0) to Dodger Point
10.5 miles
900' to 5753'
No recent reports
In the summer, the last reliable water source is a spring at 4420'
7/25/21
Dodger Point Primitive Trail
Jct. Long Ridge Trail to jct. Elwha River Trail via Semple Plateau
5.2 miles
5800' to 1451'
No recent reports
Trail can be difficult to navigate through the meadows/bogs close to the river. The rest of the trail has a couple of washouts and downed trees, but is not hard to follow
The last reliable water source is 1.0 mile below Dodger Point
The Elwha River crossing at Remann's Cabin is always difficult to ford and is impossible to cross during high stream-flow events
7/25/21
Elwha Basin Way Trail
Happy Hollow to Elwha Basin
2.4 miles
2300' to 2600'
No recent reports
Trail is difficult to follow in places. The river is difficult to cross
7/25/21
Happy Hollow Trail
Jct. Elwha River Trail @ Chicago Camp to Happy Hollow
0.7 miles
2100' to 2300'
No recent reports
This is a primitive trail & no maintained
7/25/21
West Elwha Trail
Altair Campground to Herrick Road
3.0 miles
390' to 600'
No recent reports
7/25/21
Happy Lake Ridge Trail
Trailhead on Olympic Hot Springs Road via Happy Lake Ridge to jct. Boulder Lake Trail
9.5 miles
1300' to 5409'
No recent reports
Bear canisters required for Happy Lake campsite
Happy Lake & Boulder Lake are the only water sources on this trail
Obstruction Point via Grand Valley & Pass to jct. of Cameron Creek Trail
7.7 miles
6100' to 4750'
Trail is in good condition
For the latest on the status of the Obstruction Point Road click here
8/4/21
Cameron Pass Trail
Jct. Grand Pass Trail to Cameron Pass
3.6 miles
4150' to 6450'
Trail can be difficult to navigate at creek crossing that's about 1 mile Southeast of Upper Cameron camp area
One lingering snowfield remains on the north side of Cameron Pass
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
8/4/21
Cameron-Lost Pass Primitive Trail
Cameron Pass to Lost Pass
1.9 miles
6200' to 6450'
No recent reports
Trail can be difficult to follow along creek beds and meadow areas
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
Enchanted Valley - Bear canisters are required for all overnight camping above Pyrites Creek and below the O'Neil Pass Junction.
The Quinault Wilderness Information Center is closed for the 2021 season and will reopen during Spring 2022.
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'
Trail is in good condition but muddy after recent rains and has been brushed as far as Irely Lake
Closed to stock
10/10/21
Big Creek Trail
Irely Lake to Three Lakes
5.9 miles
600' to 3200'
This trail has been brushed from Irely Lake to Big Creek. There are approximately 5 trees down across the trail, most of which are smaller in diameter. The largest tree down is 2.5 ft. in diameter.
Big Creek needs to be forded since the bridge is now gone. The creek normally runs ankle to knee deep during the summer season.
Closed to stock
10/10/21
Three Lakes to Skyline Trail Jct.
Three Lakes to jct. Elip Creek Connector Trail
2.9 miles
3200' to 4000'
Trail has overgrown sections. 4 trees down across the trail, 1 of which can be difficult to get over/around. Expect minor route-finding through the meadowed areas.
The trail has been cleared of downed trees between the trailhead & Enchanted Valley. The trail is currently not stock passable due to a 20" tree down near Pony Bridge.
White Creek, below the O'Neil Pass Jct., must be forded & can be hazardous when it is swift and knee-thigh deep during times of heavy rain or hot afternoons when the higher elevation snow is still melting.
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**
10/10/21
Queets Area Notices:
Caution: The Queets River ford can be hazardous at any time of the year
No recent reports for beyond Spruce Bottom campsite
Trail clear of downed trees to Spruce Bottom
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
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
8/20/21
Lower Crossing Route
Queets River Trail at Spruce Bottom to Smith Place
2.1 miles
400' to 500'
No recent reports
8/20/21
Sam's River Loop
Loop Trail from Queets Trailhead to Ranger Station
The Lena Creek ford can become hazardous at any time due to heavy precipitation and seasonal snow melt.
No camping within 0.24 mile of Scout Lake
Upper Lena Lake is a quota area
Closed to stock
8/27/21
Gladys Divide Primitive Trail
Flapjack Lakes to Gladys Divide
1.4 miles
3900' to 5050'
No recent report
Closed to stock
Bear canisters recommended above Flapjack Lakes; hanging food properly is difficult in this area
8/27/21
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'
Snow free, no trees down
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
8/27/21
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
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
Trail is difficult to follow through several meadows between Six Ridge Pass and the Lake Success/Mt. Olson trail jct.; hikers are sometimes misled by numerous game trails. Navigational skills recommended. Look for orange blazes, cairns, flagging & cut logs
No water sources between Belview and Seven Stream
8/27/21
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'
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
This trail is very brushy and hard to see at times. There are 85 trees down across the trail between the park boundary and Ten Mile camp.
Ten Mile to Upper Duckabush Ford: 30 trees down, most larger than 20" in diameter
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
8/27/21
Dosewallips Area Notices:
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
The route is extremely steep climbing 3,200 ft. in ~2 miles & requires scrambling in sections. The trail can be difficult to follow with several downed trees through the burned section
Vault toilet on the south side of the lake is closed; north composting toilet in rock field is operational
In alignment with the Makah Tribe's closure of the Makah Reservation and Ozette Reservation (located north of Cape Alava), the wilderness area north of Cape Alava, including Shi Shi Beach, remains closed to all park visitors until further notice.
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
This trail is currently not accessible. Access to this trailhead is via the Makah Indian Reservation which remains closed at this time
No recent reports
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.
Trail is in good condition with no downed trees until the beach. There are many beach logs to cross upon getting to the coast. Check the marine forecast for potential ocean swells.
**Caution** Diamond Rock has a tidal restriction of 2 ft. located ~1.5 miles north of the Oil City Trailhead. Trips that travel through this area require advanced planning with tide charts. At times of high tide, this section 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 is brushy, slippery & has a lot of downed trees
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
7/29/21
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.
