Mount Walker Loop

Drove up to Quilcene to hike up Mount Walker. We decided to make it a loop by hiking up the trail and coming back down the closed forest road. About 7 miles with 2,000 ft gain.  We saw 2 other hikers on the trail and 7 skiers as we hiked down the road. The gate was closed by Hwy 101. There were several inches of snow from the highway. 

Enjoyed seeing the fresh snow covering everything.

some icicles along the trail

The snow increased in depth as we continued up the trail.

Cloudy up on top of Mount Walker, not much view from the North Viewpoint.

We had some occasional glimpses of the outline of Olympic Peaks to the northeast.

From the North Viewpoint we walked down the closed road towards the South Viewpoint.

The sun tried to break through the clouds.

Snow laden branches low down over the trail right before the South Viewpoint.

The clouds obstructed the view at the South Viewpoint.

But the trees were so beautiful in this winter wonderland!

We met a skier coming up to the top of Mount Walker as we were headed down. He told us to walk in his tracks as it would help pack it down, he would be returning several times this week to keep working on it.

Viewpoint about halfway down the road. we could see the north end of Quilcene Bay,

and at the other end the Big Quilcene River below.

Some snowy trees towering above us on some rocky cliffs.

small icicles and dripping water in a mossy niche