But if not, you'd be better off camping a few thousand feet below by the Hoh River, in my opinion. The trail proceeds on the level and then ascends via steps under some mammoth Douglas-firs. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. Salmonberry thickets encroach on the trail before you cross Slide Creek to reach the campsite area at Lewis Meadows, 10.1 miles in. The trail then ascends under more large Douglas-firs and hemlocks before descending to head along an avenue of big-leaf and vine maple. The glaciers on Mount Olympus, with their terminal moraines at about 4,200 feet, are the lowest elevation glaciers at that latitude on the planet. There are a few designated camp sites just past the bridge. It’s just under a mile from here to the viewpoint on the Blue Glacier Lateral Moraine. At Mile 0.9, a spur leads right to a camp area next to the river. BRING BEAR CONTAINERS or find campsites with bear lines. Veer left past a huge spruce and then a Douglas-fir to recross the channel on logs. We hike the Hoh River Trail through lush rainforest making base camp at Lewis Meadows. Reach the spur to the Happy Four Campsites and then the Happy Four Shelter at Mile 5.7. This is the first trip here for both of us. We saw the father, big horned, in the morning. The Hoh River. The Hoh River Trail follows the river and its primary tributaries to Elk Lake, and continues on to Glacier Meadows and Blue Glacier at the base of Mount Olympus. Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier. Lewis Meadows had ample tent sites, and I was able to get one of the five or so tucked away riverside sites. The Hoh River Trail begins at an altitude of about 600 ft (180 m) and the trail is mostly flat for about 13 mi (21 km), after which it ascends steeply to Glacier Meadows, altitude 4,300 ft (1,300 m). Between Elk Lake and the last campground, Glacier Meadows there is a washout on the trail with a rope ladder installed to help hikers get up/down the steep and loose slope. your own Pins on Pinterest NOTE: Several slide areas and washouts have damaged the trail during the last two miles to Glacier Meadows. At the footbridge over Mineral Creek, you can look up to see pretty Mineral Creek Falls splashing down through the greenery. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. The journey climbs to a ridge above the river to the High Hoh Bridge, 2.7 miles past Lewis Meadow Camp, which marks the end of the Hoh Valley. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? There is one river crossing and a few small stream crossings along the way. From Glacier Meadows camp, you ascend the well-marked lateral moraine trail through steep meadows followed by a well-established gravel path up through the moraine. if you plan on taking a glacier climb. Use extra caution for each of these areas. There is one unlimited campground after leaving the river and then you come to Elk Lake, the first of the reservable campgrounds. The trail is generally flat for the first 13 miles then becomes steep to Glacier Meadows. Suitable for all levels of backpackers, this trail will beckon you to return year after year to witness its amazing spectacle. Day hikers can decide how far they want to go. I found it quite treacherous because of its length, its near vertical angle, and the precariousness of some of the rungs. Tom Creek. There are numerous designated campsites in place along the route. We saw the father, big horned, in the morning. During the summer, the rangers deploy the wooden ladder to help hikers. The vegetation on the ridge is worn away so it is dusty among the large rocks, and it was quite windy up there with lots of dust blowing around. Across are the slopes of Mount Olympus, capped by the vast white hump of Snow Dome, the route most climbers take once they have negotiated the glacier. Pass some group sites and the trail to the bear wire before arriving at the Olympus Guard Station at 9.1 miles. Then it gets rather steep as it makes its final ascent to Glacier Meadows. There is another potential endpoint, the terminal moraine, but the ranger told me that spur is hard to follow and the endpoint is the bottom of Blue Glacier rather than the view across Blue Glacier to the summit of Mt. In July, there may be continuous snow from this point. It is then another 1.8 miles to Elk Lake, after which the trail gets even steeper until it reaches the Glacier Meadows. At the impressive High Hoh bridge, you see the river at its most upstream in a narrow deep canyon (picture below) and the confluence of the Hoh River and Glacier Creek, which all descend from the various glaciers of Mt. The Blue Glacier issues from an expansive cirque, with Glacier Pass the lowest point on the cirque ridge and Mount Mathias directly to the north of the pass. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? If you feel differently, as I do, the ranger said they welcome comments (at their website) in support of repairing the trail and removing the ladder to improve both accessibility and safety. The first 5 miles from the visitor center is a walk in the park, the next 10 miles are easy although can be somewhat muddy. Pass spectacular old-growth dripping with moss, nurse logs providing nourishment to full grown trees and end with a panorama including the the aptly named Blue Glacier and Mount Olympus. River crossings : There is one crossing of a braid of the river near 8-mile and a few small stream crossings. Answer 1 of 9: I'm planning a backpacking trip that covers the Hoh river trail to glacier meadows, then I want to explore the 7 lakes basin area. The trail sets off on a very gentle incline along the north flank of the Hoh River … Backpacking up to Glacier Meadows in Olympic National Park via the Hoh River Trail. Put all that together and you have a great first time backpacking trip. Even though the destination was the close-up view of Mt. The path alternates between these lush thickets and dry slopes of montane forest, crossing several small creeks. To reach Blue Glacier, continue another mile further. To the left, a path continues to a point where mountaineers need to skitter down the steep unstable slope of the moraine. Also need campsite advice for the entire trip, I'd … Hike by WTA Staff : Anna Roth. Beyond this the path climbs to the flower-scattered paradise of Glacier... Hoh River Trail | USA Activities - Lonely Planet Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Keep right here, and descend to a lush old growth bottomland with tall spruce and gnarled red alders. Above Lewis Meadows, there are single non-reserved campsites at Mile 12.4, 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3. Most people hike the initial parts of this trail and turn around to retrace their steps once they have been overwhelmed with enough beauty. You’ll note some impressive western red-cedars here. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? Olympus afforded by the lateral moraine spur. 4 days (3 nights). You’ll be keeping to this trail for the next 17.5 miles until you reach Glacier Meadows Camp. Olympic National Park: Glacier Meadows via Hoh River Trail. Hike up a slope under a mossy cliff, and get a view to the White Glacier and its waterfall, one source of Glacier Creek. Ecosystem type: Temperate rainforest, subalpine meadow, subalpine meadow basin, montane forest Trail tread types: Well-maintained General elevation trend: Flat to steep - The trail is generally flat for the first 13 miles then becomes steep to Glacier Meadows. Then it gets rather steep as it makes its final ascent to Glacier Meadows. Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier, Olympic National Park /September 18, 2014 As we ascended from Elk Lake, we began to traverse a ridge above Jemrod Creek that offers beautiful views of Mt. I opted to camp 10.5 miles in, at Lewis Meadows, which made for a 16 mile dayhike with 4300' gain on day 2. Wilderness Campsite Information (Olympic National Park), Hoh River to Blue Glacier (Olympic N.P.) 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 The Hall of Mosses. The West Peak of Mount Olympus, its highest point at 7,989 feet, juts above the Dome. 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