Ian Brown
Takes quite a while to get to the Hoh trailhead from Seattle. There are multiple campsites along the trail with very nice bear wires if you prefer to hang your smells. The final two camp sites on the trail (Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows... closest to Mt Olympus) require advanced reservation. Weekends it might get to capacity so do it in advance instead of when you get there. We started out with an average mileage day doing a little over 9 miles with really no elevation gain to the Olympic Guard Station. Keep in mind you're camping IN a rainforest so it'll be humid. Bring deet. We took an easy day the next day hiking to Elk Lake. After you cross the Hoh Bridge the elevation gain starts, but it's nothing you can't handle if you're a regular hiker. Elk lake was great. Tons of Rainbow Trout and Tadpoles that were swimming with us, they enjoyed having us in their lake. Spent most of he day hanging out there. Next day did the last couple miles to Glacier Meadow. The rope ladder is there and useable, but toward the bottom there is a rung missing and you can tell a few others are about to give out. Just take your time. Its easier going up than down. After you reach Glacier Meadows camp it's a short walk up the meadow pass to the ridge of the lateral moraine where you are presented with a stunning view of the Blue Glacier and Mount Olympus. Getting down the moraine to the glacier is tricky when there isn't snow to make your descent easier. It's best to walk to the end of the lateral ridge as it's the lowest point. Our last day we elected to complete the length of the trail. Did the full ~18 miles in 9 hours at an average pace. You can do this trail either way... Take your time and take it easy over a few days or haul through it all in one day. You'll see tons of wildlife, flora, and fauna. You get the experience of hiking and maybe even camping in a rainforest but you also get to see one of the most unique mountain vistas in the country. Multiple rewards make it well worth the time and miles. Put it on your list!
5.0
It took us exactly 2 hours to get to the lower trailhead from Seattle. The upper trailhead is apparently still closed from what I've seen. The snow starts at the fork between the summer and winter route paths. You don't need snowshoes, so don't bring them. Just bring a pair of gators and micro spikes or ice trax to keep your feet beneath you. I recommend bringing a pole as well as an ice axe. The snow is getting too soft to use an axe for support on your ascent, but it will be required for glissading down. It was hazy when we went but you could still see Baker, Seattle, Tacoma, Rainier, Adams, and St Helens.
4.0
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2024 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy