Upper Big Quilcene Trail

Photo by Climbear.

Olympic Peninsula. This trail begins in an old growth fir forest, dotted with wonderful blobs of pink early in the summer, when rhododendrons are full in bloom. This is in the Buckhorn wilderness, so we will remove downed trees using crosscut saws. When we finish removing all of the logs, we will move on to brushing and treadwork.

In the Buckhorn Wilderness on the eastern slope of the Olympic Mountains, this hiker/equestrian trail follows the river valley ascent to Marmot Pass. The trail begins in an old growth fir forest, dotted with wonderful blobs of pink early in the summer, when rhododendrons are full in bloom. The trail then climbs into alpine meadows, boulder fields and across avalanche chutes on its way up to beautiful views from 6000 ft up.

Driving directions:
WE WILL BE MEETING AT THE QUILCENE RANGER STATION AT 8:30 AM. You will want to catch the 7:10 ferry at Edmonds to go to Kingston. The ranger station is 40 minutes from the ferry dock at Kingston. Follow Highway 104 from Kingston to the Hood Canal Bridge. There is a right turn at a stop light a couple miles out of Kingston signed Port Gamble. Drive across the Hood Canal Bridge, continuing west on US 104. At about 19.9 miles from the ferry dock is a sign for Pt. Townsend/Quilcene. It is followed quickly by a sign for the Olympic Music Festival. After this sign turn right and cross under Highway 104. This road ends in 11 miles in Quilcene at an intersection with Highway 101. Turn left or south on US 101, into Quilcene. The ranger station is located on the north side of Hwy 101 as it leaves Quilcene heading south. (Driving and ferry time from Edmonds: approximately 1.15 hour. It is advisable to be at the ferry dock early during peak vacation periods.)