Moderate is in the eye of the beholder. I found the hike to be VERY steep. We had an early start...100% trail ownership which is always extra nice. We were in heavy fog so the views were peak-a-boo. Will I do this hike again? Yes. The tree's are wonderful.
★
★
★
★
An easy out and back hike. We went with friends and ate lunch at Camp Handy. We missed the first turn on the way out and had to backtrack. The turnoff for FS 2880 came almost right after going onto gravel.
★
★
★
★
Beautiful trail with a lot of shade much of the way up. The Quilcene river still has a good water flow. Views at the pass are great.
★
★
★
★
★
This hike was my first hike ever. It was indeed a difficult trail. Once you reached it, a good sigh of relief that you have seen how beautiful it is. Not for the faint of heart though.
★
★
★
★
★
Hiked the loop as a 2 night backpack trip this past weekend and it was amazing. Wildflowers are blooming, perfect peninsula weather conditions (70s and sunny blue skies), and rugged trail made this one of my favorite backpacks and hikes in the PNW. We stayed at sol duc river #4 and lunch lake. At lunch lake you will be constantly swarmed by mosquito's - you've been warned. Amazing trail starting in the dense forest near sol duc falls that goes all the way into the high alpine with breathtaking views of seven lakes basin and Mt. Olympus.
★
★
★
★
★
Easy trail (it's on an old road) through big woods, a dramatic canyon, a recovering burn, and past a big cascade. At 6.5 miles, you can stop at the old drive-in campground, cut off when the road washed out some years ago.
★
★
★
★
★
Getting There:
Overall pretty straightforward. All roads are suitable for all vehicles. After Lords Lake Loop road, the road names used in Google maps do not match those in the trip description on the Washington Trails website. Most aren't signed, so I'm not sure which is right. In any event, either will get you to the trailhead with no trouble.
After you make the left at Lords Lake the road does get rougher, but it's not the potholes you need to watch. There are a few, as well as a couple short sections of washboarding, but all are easy to avoid. It's all the loose gravel that can cause issues, particularly on the curves. But have care and you'll be fine.
Got to the trailhead around 10 AM to find only two other cars in the parking lot. Five more cars pulled in as I was getting ready to hit the trail. There were still a couple of spots available when I got back to the lot after my hike.
There is a toilet at the parking lot stocked with TP (though not the best quality). No hand sanitizer.
Along the Trail:
The rhodies are in bloom all the way up to the top. Those near the trailhead are all completely open while near the top there are a few buds still left. There are also a few other flowers; bunch berries, columbine, a couple paintbrush and more. But it's definitely the rhodies that are the stars.
Trail is in good condition and easy to follow all the way up to the top.
★
★
★
This is a very nicely maintained loop trail with several bridges and creeks to cross. Traveling clockwise gets a considerable elevation gain completed early while adding the Viewpoint trail near the mid-point gets hikers a great vista of Lake Chapman and helps achieve a “destination” aspect to the loop hike. With the Viewpoint side trip, the hike ends up being approximately 7 miles with an overall elevation gain of roughly 1800 feet. Look for a troll under one of the bridges in the loop in order to add interest for little hikers. Overall this hike is a very enjoyable trip through the woods with nice visual elements along the way.
★
★
★
★
This trail is very well maintained but heavily traveled. The view is incredible and getting to the lake is an easy to moderate ascent with a few roots and loose rocks to navigate around. Overall, this has been one of my favorite hikes this year.
★
★
★
★
★
3/24/2019 Hiked to Camp Jolly about 10 miles round trip. We had micro spikes but snow is melting and random patches did not need them. We use hiking poles that helped with small creek crossings. One large tree over trail but easy to get over. I was disappointed that the Bark Shanty sign is gone :( . Bridges are in excellent condition, built in 2012. Road to trail was good, just a few large pot holes that are avoidable. No wild flowers yet but I can't wait to Rhody season!
★
★
★
★
★
Christmas day hike 2018. Stopped raining as we got to the trail about 8:30 am. Trail clockwise has a 2 small trees over trail, easy to step over. We started up to the look out, patchy snow then at the 5th switchback consistent 1-2" of trampled snow, this is the old logging road so easy to navigate. We turned around at the arrow sign as micro spikes would be best from there on up. Coming down there were more trees down, easy to scramble over, about 7 more trees. All in all a good hike to get the heart rate up and breath some clean air. Saw a Cushman security truck pass by the parking lot. Only one car when we started and 3 when we returned. I recommend water proof shoes, hiking poles, gaiters and 10 essentials. Always be prepared for rain and layer up. We hiked almost 6 miles, moving time 3.10, average speed 25 mph. You make up time on the way down:) Good half day hike and dogs are allowed.
★
★
★
★
★
stars
Had perfect fall weather, so we had awesome views of the Pacific Northwest! Mt.Baker, Mt Rainier, and the nearby Olympics peaks. We are two women in our 60’s and we had no trouble with this hike. We will do again and again. There are many people on the trail and also many dogs. Get there early for good parking
★
★
★
★
★
A great backpacking trip that follows the river though the valley with elevation gain stretched over many miles. Ample campsites at the end and requires a permit and bear canister to hike. The chalet was moved back due to the receding river bank and will most likely need to be moved again. Rangers were camped back in the valley checking permits. This is a perfect hike to do with friends, especially if they enjoy a variety of tree species. Break up the mileage by camping in designated campsites along the way.
★
★
★
★
★
