Baldy Olympic National Forest

We drove out to the north Olympics to hike up to Baldy on the border of the Buckhorn Wilderness in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park. Hiked 7.2 miles round trip with 3,800 ft of gain. Before reaching the Upper Dungeness Parking area, we took the forest spur road 120 to the end. There are two unmarked trailheads here, the one on the right goes up to Taylor Peak, the one on the left goes up Maynard Burn and up to Baldy. 

The trail follows Mueller Creek for a short ways before crossing the creek. We ended up on a trail that goes through several campsites, crosses Mueller Creek before dead ending in the woods. We were able to go cross country and rejoin the trail further up hill.

There are many beautiful trees and some wildflowers and saprophytes in the forest.

Part way up through this steep section in the woods we saw 4-5 rhododendron plants in bloom.

About 2 miles and 2,600 ft of gain, the trail opens up in a basin where we could see across to Tyler Peak.

The alpine meadow was full of wildflowers.

A little further up the trail, we could see Mt Baker beyond the ridge to Tyler Peak. The Cascades were soon covered in clouds.

On the ridge, we turned left/south to head up to a false summit on the way to Baldy There were many phlox in bloom up here.

Pano to the south from this false summit: many Olympic Peaks, including Buckhorn Mountain, Mount Constance, the peaks around Royal Basin, Grey Wolf Peak and Baldy

Pano to the north: Blue Mountain Tyler Peak; in the far distance, the Salish Sea, Vancouver Island, Dungeness Spit and more.

The trail then heads down to a saddle before climbing back up another false summit and Baldy. Small tarn in the snow field below us.

Wide angle view from the saddle looking towards Royal Basin

The steep trail up to Baldy was full of phlox and other wildflowers.

Looking back towards the saddle between the two false summits, part way up the trail.

We took our time enjoying the views and the wildflowers, so breathtaking!

Grey Wolf Peak from the summit of Baldy. Mt Olympus is to the southwest.

Pano from the top of Baldy:

On the hike back down the trail, it was easy to see the trail, the trail crosses Mueller Creek fairly close to the trailhead.

First time seeing a cup fungus

some of the wildflowers we saw along the trail today: