Today, we were dropped off at the Upper Dungeness Trail in the Olympic National Forest (near Sequim); hiked up to Marmot Pass and then hiked down the other side along the Upper Big Quilcene Trail (near Quilcene) for a 13.5 - 14 mile hike with 3,500 ft elevation gain.
We didn't have great views because of the clouds, but there were lots of wildflowers and berries and we enjoyed the hike.
The first part of the Upper Dungeness Trail is fairly flat and follows the Dungeness River. After one mile and 400 ft of elevation gain, we crossed the log bridge over Royal Creek to continue on the Upper Dungeness Trail and enter the Buckhorn Wilderness.
Lots of water in Royal Creek.
The trail continues with a fairly even grade along the Dungeness River.
After another 1.6 miles, our trail crosses the Dungeness River on a log bridge to continue up river on the west side of this river.
The trail divides at an unmarked junction shortly before Camp Handy, we hiked the upper trail to the left. This is about 3.4 miles from the trailhead and a total elevation gain of 600 ft from the trailhead.
Here the trail climbs away from the Dungeness River in a long 3 mile transverse to Boulder Shelter with an additional 1,800 ft of elevation gain. There were several easy water crossings with wildflowers along the way.
We stopped near Boulder Shelter for a lunch break, we had come 6.4 miles from the trail head and climbed about 2,500 ft from the start.
From Boulder Shelter area, we headed up to Marmot Pass. This section begins with a series of switchbacks going through fields and forest. This section of the hike is 1.7 miles with about another 1,000 ft of elevation gain.
Lots of wildflowers along this section.
The last part of this trail is a gentle traverse as it goes over avalanche fields towards Marmot Pass, seen in the background.
Lots of wildflowers to enjoy along the trail.
We sat a little ways above Marmot Pass, enjoying a snack and hoping the clouds would lift. We could only see part of Buckhorn Mountain on the north side of the pass.
From Marmot Pass the Upper Big Quilcene Trail is 5.3 miles with a descent of 3,500 ft. Just below the pass are beautiful fields of wildflowers.
There is also a large boulder field where we saw the marmots last summer. None were to be seen on our trip today.
As we continued down the trail we passed old avalanche chutes filled with wildflowers.
Crossed lots of streams. A couple had waterfalls coming down.
The last 2.5 miles, the trail traveled alongside the Big Quilcene River.
We were happy to see Matt waiting to pick us up in the parking lot! This butterfly was resting on the ground near the car:
Some of the many flowers, berries, plants and fungi we saw today:
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