Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. Please contact the Hoh Visitor Center for current conditions. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? Veer left past a huge spruce and then a Douglas-fir to recross the channel on logs. The trail rises in a silver fir/hemlock woodland, crosses a steep chute, and traverses a steep slope to offer a view across to Mount Tom and Mount Olympus as well as Glacier Creek below. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. FROM THE HOH RIVER TRAILHEAD:-> Follow the Hoh River Trail for 17.5 miles to Glacier Meadows. The trail cuts through a fallen 12-foot in diameter cedar in a bottomland full of these giants. I found it quite treacherous because of its length, its near vertical angle, and the precariousness of some of the rungs. Seattle, WA 98104. Pass some group sites and the trail to the bear wire before arriving at the Olympus Guard Station at 9.1 miles. The path alternates between these lush thickets and dry slopes of montane forest, crossing several small creeks. Two signed spur trails lead to the Five Mile Island Campsites. It is then another 1.8 miles to Elk Lake, after which the trail gets even steeper until it reaches the Glacier Meadows. 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. From here it’s just a short jaunt (about one mile) to the Blue Glacier Overlook. Most people run the initial parts of this trail and turn around to retrace their steps once they have been overwhelmed with enough beauty. Tall grass and open meadow kept our site mostly separated from the others, with the exception of a baby deer and its mom who came folicking through the field, seemingly unbothered by all the people. The wide rooty trail continues with short spurs heading to the river bank. Hike up through a huckleberry understory above the creek that drains Elk Lake, and pass by a massive hemlock to come to the Elk Lake Shelter at 15.5 miles. The slope becomes rocky and denuded of vegetation except for single plants of parsley fern and pink-blooming Douglasia. After you cross this creek, make a number of switchbacks up to a rocky promontory that offers a glimpse to Glacier Creek far below. Hoh River Trail A good portion of this Hoh rainforest hiking trail is quite easy for about three-quarters of the way. if you plan on taking a glacier climb. The trail then ascends under more large Douglas-firs and hemlocks before descending to head along an avenue of big-leaf and vine maple. Allow 2-3 days for full hike and same amount of time out as in. JustinBurger has uploaded 2807 photos to Flickr. This first day is a wonderful 9 mile day of gradual uphill through the rainforest. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Olympus, and all its glaciers. Drop in and out of a dry gully arched by a massive fallen spruce. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. Which direction should I go once I get to the 7 lakes basin area off of the hoh trail, right or left? 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. As the trail left the river valley and headed up towards mount Olympus the forest changed from old growth Hemlock to old growth Douglas fir. ... And the meadows were beautiful, quiet, private. Backpacking up to Glacier Meadows in Olympic National Park via the Hoh River Trail. Hoh River Trail A good portion of this Hoh rainforest hiking trail is quite easy for about three-quarters of the way. Lewis does not require reservations for parties under 6 people. Put all that together and you have a great first time backpacking trip. Clearcuts mark the road's final approach, in a sobering history lesson of this state, before reaching the trailhead, where there is space for a few vehicles. The trail switchbacks in a thimbleberry opening with a view down to Elk Lake and across to Mount Olympus. Pass the Glacier Meadows Ranger Station: there’s a wood front porch here, and usually a yurt is set up behind it. I found a nice cluster of … Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier Trail is a 34 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Forks, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. You can camp at Glacier Meadows campsite and take a day hike to the Blue Glacier, but make sure you bring crampons and ice axe (and know what you are doing!) This long, gradually rising trail moves through several of the park’s ecosystems, beginning in temperate rainforest and moving up into subalpine and alpine meadows and forests. Somewhere in here, look for a trail spur leading left about 200 yards to what is purported to be the quietest place in the United States. However, you may not want to take your chances with these on a busy summer weekend; these camps also do not have bear wires. Olympus. 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. Mt. Other WTA trip reports this summer include pictures of the ladder. The Hoh River Trail terminates on a lateral moraine overlooking the Blue Glacier (17.5 miles from the trailhead). BRING BEAR CONTAINERS or find campsites with bear lines. Miraculously timed this outing to optimize three factors:  not too cold in the evening, bugs were minimal, and an abundance of blueberries (starting above Elk Lake). At the junction with the Spruce Trail, go left on the Hoh River Trail. Cross a couple of creeks, and then descend along a mossy rock outcrop. Pass the main kiosk, and reach the junction with the Hall of Mosses Trail. The trail switch backed many times and passed a pretty creek several times. The Hoh River Trail in Olympic National Park is a world-class backpacking trip to the Blue Glacier on Mount Olympus. 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 bio-diversity on this hike is seldom seen on such an accessible backpacking trip. There are outhouses to the left and right and trails out to campsites under alders and on the gravel bars of the river: the park encourages camping on the latter as all traces will disappear during the high water season. Marmots may be basking on rock platforms here. Hoh River Trail: Excellent hike to the glacier - See 18 traveler reviews, 25 candid photos, and great deals for Olympic National Park, WA, at Tripadvisor. BRING BEAR CONTAINERS or find campsites with bear lines. The trail is generally flat for the first 13 miles then becomes steep to Glacier Meadows. Cross a boardwalk over a backwater and then a footbridge over a creek. August 2019. Olympic National Park: Glacier Meadows via Hoh River Trail. This is the first trip here for both of us. For this reason, the number of other users drops off after the first few miles, even though this is one of the most heavily used trails … For short interpretive trails near the Visitor Center, see the Hoh Rain Forest Loop Hike. 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. A backwater channel of the river is to your right, and you’ll walk by a massive Douglas-fir. Met a research group (with very heavy packs) from the National Park Service installing surveillance to determine whether martens have come back in the park and also a work group from the Conservation Corps who were doing trail maintenance up to both Elk Lake and Hoh Lake. Olympic National Park: Glacier Meadows via Hoh River Trail. Most people hike the initial parts of this trail and turn around to retrace their steps once they have been overwhelmed with enough beauty. Also need campsite advice for the entire trip, I'd … 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. It was hard to avoid stepping on the frogs in some parts. A one-way trail to Glacier Meadows and rainforest backcountry. There is one unlimited campground after leaving the river and then you come to Elk Lake, the first of the reservable campgrounds. Then it gets rather steep as it makes its final ascent to Glacier Meadows. The ranger at the Hoh visitor center said there were no plans to repair the ladder, which has been there 3-4 years, because the view is that those who are hardy enough to get to this point will not find it a significant challenge. The lush understory is composed of wood fern, lady fern, and red huckleberry. Keep going through a lush meadow where subalpine daisy, lupine, mertensia, false hellebore, and false bugbane bloom. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 River valleys are usually snow-free even in winter, though fall, winter, and spring bring the rain. Lake Quinault is a great place to kick off your Olympic National Park itinerary if you’re starting the loop on the western side. It is then another 1.8 miles to Elk Lake, after which the trail gets even steeper until it reaches the Glacier Meadows. The trail traverses above the deep ravine of Martin Creek, where Martin Creek Falls plunges dramatically. Cross a tumbling creek in a ravine where both yellow and purple monkey flowers bloom. Suitable for all levels of backpackers, this trail will beckon you to return year after year to witness its amazing spectacle. The Hoh's major running trail is the Hoh River trail, which leads 17.3 miles to Glacier Meadows and Blue Glacier, on the shoulder of Mount Olympus. Allow 2-3 days for full hike and same amount of time out as in. Discover (and save!) The trailhead for the Hoh River Trail is a short walk from the Visitor Center. Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.7 for a two-person trip. I opted to camp 10.5 miles in, at Lewis Meadows, which made for a 16 mile dayhike with 4300' gain on day 2. 2.8 miles past Lewis Meadow Camp, you will reach the High Hoh Bridge, which marks the end of the Hoh Valley proper. Wind up, and then traverse through old-growth hemlock and Douglas-fir before making a couple more switchbacks. For those interested in camping there are numerous spots along the route. Hike through temperate rain forest alongside the Hoh River to the tip of the Blue Glacier--the largest glacier in Olympic National Park--and 7,980-foot Mt. You’ll be keeping to this trail for the next 17.5 miles until you reach Glacier Meadows Camp. 08-11 – 08-13-17, Hoh River Trail – Olympic Wilderness (National Park Service), Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier (Washington Trails Association), Hoh River Trail Backpack (Schizo Affective), Hoh River Trail: Seattle’s Most Epic Backpacking Trip (Roots Rated), Hoh River Trail To Blue Glacier, Olympic National Park (Ray Phung), Hoh River Trail to Elk Lake – 30.2 miles (ProTrails), Olympic National Park – Hoh River Trail (Hudson Hikes), “One Square Inch of silence in Olympic National Park’s Hoh River Valley a place of quiet” (Oregon Live), Mount Olympus/Blue Glacier (Mountaineers), Glaciers and Climate Change (Olympic National Park), Olympic National Park (National Park Service), https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Hoh_River_to_Blue_Glacier_Hike&oldid=89494. Pass the main kiosk, and then pass a former nurse log days for full hike and same amount snowfall. 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