Lower Big Quilcene & Notch Pass
A mixed surface trail run through the Olympics
Outdoor adventures, mostly gravel rides, but not always
A mixed surface trail run through the Olympics
A loop trail over Mt Townsend with a stop along the way at Silver Lakes
Mt Townsend is an extremely popular hike in the Olympics appearing in all the popular day hike books. This route built on the standard hike by adding an extension to make a loop via a short jaunt on FR 2870 and the Silver Lakes Way Trail.
One of the more beautiful hikes in the Olympics, especially for visiting high alpine lakes
I hadn’t been to Royal Lake since a backpacking trip in July 2011. At the time we were unable to make it to the upper basin because of a late melting snow pack. I was excited to explore the upper basin on this trip as over the last few years I had become pretty familiar with the region from prior rides and hikes.
Steep climbing to an alpine lake, then a more climbing to a ridge with expansive views of the Olympics
My fifth trip up to Lake Angeles, but first time in the summer, did not disappoint. A beautiful lake view rewards this steep Olympics climb. Unlike my typical winter foray we left the lake behind us and climbed the Klahhane Ridge Trail to an exceptional lunch spot with clear views to Mt Olympus and its glaciers.
A long, hard hike rewarded with great river and mountain views
One of the classic loops in the Olympic Mountains
A steep climb to stunning views awash in fall colors
Enjoyable hike in perfect fall conditions. Started hiking around 10am with air temperature just above freezing so dress appropriately. The trail is in good condition but lacks any signage so be sure to follow the directions, particularly bearing to the right at the T. Arrived at the ridge around noon.
A classic Olympics day hike to a high meadow
Wonderful day hike to Marmot Pass and to Buckhorn Mountain. The weather was nearly perfect, all in all a great day. The trail leading to Marmot Pass was in great shape and the meadow at the junction with the Tubal Cain trail never disappoints. I stopped for short lunch overlooking the meadow and mountains before summiting Buckhorn Mountain.
A day hike to the high mountain hut Rifugio Stevia in the Dolomites
Flower-filled trail leading to a high mountain hut in a variety of terrain
After a day hiking around the meadows under the shadow of the Matterhorn I decided to enjoy the Botanischer Lehrpfad (Botanical Trail) from within town and hike the Trift trail to the namesake hut.