Olympic National Park Trail Updates - August 2nd, 2010

posted Aug 2, 2010, 3:56 PM by Luke Hizer
Key updates:

Staircase

North Fork Skokomish is snow-free to First Divide.
One campground opened at Home Sweet Home

Dosewallips

Constance Pass Trail updates: Patchy ~ 20% snowcover begins at Sunnybrook Meadows'; 1 campsite is melted-out. Tarn is 50% snow-covered. Del Monte Ridge is snow-free; only a few patches of snow remain to Home Lake. Home Lake is melted-out, 4 campsites are snow-free. Eleven down trees from Dosewallips to Constance Pass; 16 down trees on north side of pass to boundary.

Hurricane Ridge

Grand Valley/Grand Pass Trail OBSTRUCTION POINT VIA GRAND VALLEY & PASS TO JCT CAMERON CREEK TRAIL 7.7 miles
6100 ft. to 4750 ft.

Trail is clear of down trees. Only 3 small snowfields remain to Lillian Ridge cutoff; trail is snow-free below to 5650' elevation above Gladys Lake, where continuous snow begins again. Grand Creek crossing above Gladys is currently covered with a dangerous snow bridge - exercise caution! Ice axe, or at the very least trekking poles recommended on climb to Grand Pass. Trail is snow-free below the pass to Cameron Creek. 
8/2/10
Cameron Pass Trail JCT GRAND PASS TRAIL TO CAMERON PASS 3.6 miles
4150 ft. to 6450 ft.

Trail is snow-free to 5250'; patchy snow remains in Upper Cameron Basin. North side of Cameron Pass remains 70% snow-covered; ice axe recommended. Top of the pass is snow-free.

Trail is typically very brushy from junction to 5000', with many hazardous animal burrows hidden by vegetation. 

Bear canisters are required for Upper Cameron Basin.

Trail not recommended for stock due to steep grade.
8/2/10
Cameron-Lost Pass Primitive Trail CAMERON PASS TO LOST PASS 1.9 miles
6200 ft. to 6450 ft.

Trail is snow-free; 2 small down trees.
8/2/10
Badger Valley Trail OBSTRUCTION PT VIA BADGER VALLEY TO JCT GRAND LAKE TRAIL 4.7 miles
6100 ft. to 4000 ft.

Obstruction Peak headwall remains snow-covered and dangerous with a short runout. It is not advised at this time to traverse this section; if you do, exercise caution! Trail is snow-free below. Five down trees.

In summer, the trail is very brushy in the big meadow area in Badger Valley and may be difficult to follow.

Overnight hikers must register at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles.


Elwah

Nothing recent to note.

Lake Crescent

 Nothing recent to note.

Sol Duc

High country is clear!

HIGH DIVIDE TRAIL JCT DEER LAKE & LITTLE DIVIDE TRAILS TO JCT CAT BASIN TRAIL 7.8 miles
 3600 ft. to 4500 ft.

Trail is snow-free except for a few patches between the Lunch Lake junction and Bogachiel Peak.

All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area.

Trail not recommended for stock due to steep, narrow trail tread in some places.
8/2/10
CAT BASIN PRIMITIVE TRAIL JCT HIGH DIVIDE TRAIL TO CAT BASIN 0.6 miles
 5050 ft. to 4300 ft.

Trail and all campsites are snow-free.

All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area.
8/2/10
LUNCH LAKE TRAIL JCT HIGH DIVIDE TRAIL TO & INCLUDING LUNCH LAKE 0.6 miles
 4800 ft. to 4450 ft.

Trail is snow-free and clear of down trees. 

All food,garbage and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area.
8/2/10
DEER LAKE TRAIL JCT SOL DUC RIVER TRAIL VIA SOL DUC FALLS AND DEER LAKE TO JCT LITTLE DIVIDE TRAIL 3.0 miles
 2000 ft. to 3600 ft.

Trail is snow-free and clear of down trees.

All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area.
8/2/10
MINK LAKE TRAIL TRAILHEAD (SOL DUC RESORT) TO JCT BOGACHIEL RIVER & LITTLE DIVIDE TRAILS 4.3 miles
 1643 ft. to 4130 ft.

Trail is snow-free and clear of down trees.

All food, garbage and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area.
8/2/10

Full report is available here.
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