Olympic National Forest

Recreational Activities

Wilderness

Wildernesses are to be "retained in their primeval character ... and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions ..." (1964 Wilderness Act).  Every wilderness traveler must accept the challenge to LEAVE NO TRACE during their visit in order that our public wildlands can remain wild, clean and pristine for all to enjoy.

The 1984 Washington Wilderness Act created the five wildernesses on Olympic National Forest. Together they total 88,265 acres for 15 % of the Forest.

BUCKHORN WILDERNESS
Hood Canal Ranger District

Size: 44,258 acres
Key Access Points:
FS Road #2750
FS Road #2870
Dungeness Trail #833
Big Quilcene Trail #833
Tubal Cain Trail #840
Elevation Range: 1,000' to 7,134'
Wilderness Permit: None Required

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Buckhorn Wilderness is located in the northeast portion of Olympic National Forest. A patented mining claim involving 216 acres of private land is within the Wilderness. This Wilderness, the largest on the Forest, includes very steep terrain ranging in elevation from 1,000 feet near the Gray Wolf River, to the summit of Mt. Fricaba at 7,134 feet. Other major peaks include Buckhorn Mountain 6,988', Iron Mountain 6,950' and Tyler Peak 6,350'. Barren ridges and steep, rocky cliffs and peaks are common in the higher elevations.  Stands of old-growth Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western redcedar occur on the lower slopes. At the higher elevations, subalpine fir and western white pine give way to alpine flowers.  The Gray Wolf, Dungeness and Big Quilcene Rivers are the major streams flowing through the Wilderness.

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Buckhorn Wilderness has excellent opportunities for camping, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting, and mountain climbing.  Over 58 miles of trail provide access to this Wilderness. The following trails are considered moderate: Dungeness #833, 8.1 miles; Tubal Cain #840, 8.6 miles; Big Quilcene #833, 5.3 miles; Silver Lake #842, 2.5 miles; and Mt. Townsend #839, 6.7 miles. The Tunnel Creek trail #841, 7.6 miles, is very difficult due to very steep grades on the Dosewallips side of the ridge. Most of the trails are open to pack and saddle stock. Check with the ranger station for trail closures.  Wilderness visitors should always carry rain gear and adequate clothing, food, and backpacking equipment. Proper boots and clothing should be worn.

NOTICE

Fires are prohibited above 3,500 feet elevation within the Wilderness. FIRES AT BUCKHORN, SILVER, GOAT, HARRISON AND CHARLIA LAKES ARE PROHIBITED. STOVES ONLY.

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COLONEL BOB WILDERNESS
Pacific Ranger District

Size: 11,961 acres
Key Access Points:
South Shore Quinault Lake Road
FS Road #2204
Colonel Bob Trail #851
Pete's Creek Trail #858
Fletcher Canyon Trail #857
Elevation Range: 300' to 4,509'
Wilderness Permit: None Required

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Colonel Bob Wilderness is located east of Lake Quinault in the southwest corner of Olympic National Forest. This 11,961 acre wilderness contains steep, rugged topography. Elevations range from 300 feet in the Quinault Valley to 4,509 feet along the eastern boundary.  Most of the Wilderness lies above the 1,500 foot elevation level. The lower slopes are moderately to heavily forested with stands of western hemlock and Pacific silver fir, mixed with western redcedar, Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce. The Colonel Bob Wilderness has temperate rain forest conditions with an annual precipitation that exceeds 150 inches. Lush ferns, shrubs, moss, wild flowers and lichens carpet the forest floor.  At higher elevations, subalpine and alpine vegeation, green meadows, rock outcrops and rugged peaks dominate the wilderness landscape. The view of Lake Quinault is spectacular.

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Colonel Bob Wilderness presents excellent opportunities for hiking, nature study, hunting, mountain climbing, and camping. There are no lakes or major rivers in the Wilderness.

There are 12 miles of trail in the Colonel Bob Wilderness. The elevation gain from the Pete's Creek trailhead to the summit of Colonel Bob is about 3,300 feet, with a round trip distance of 8 1/4 miles. The elevation gain on the Colonel Bob trail is about 4,200 feet, with a round trip of about 14.5 miles. Trail access to the summit of Colonel Bob is steep and very strenuous. Both of these trails are difficult.

Wilderness visitors should always carry rain gear and adequate clothing, food, and backpacking equipment. Proper boots and clothing should be worn.

NOTICE

Fires above 3,500 feet elevation and groups consisting of more than 12 persons and/or 8 livestock are prohibited within the Wilderness. STOVES ONLY above 3,500 feet elevation.

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Size: 13,015 acres
Key Access Points:
State Route 119 (Lake Cushman)

FS Road #25 (Hamma Hamma Road)
Mildred Lakes Trail #822
Mt. Rose Trail #814
Putvin Trail #813
Elevation Range: 800' to 6,612'
Wilderness Permit: None Required

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Mt. Skokomish Wilderness is located in the southeast portion of the Olympic National Forest, north of Lake Cushman in Mason County. This Wilderness includes very steep terrain ranging in elevation from 800 feet near Lake Cushman to the 6,612 foot summit of Mt. Stone. Other major peaks include Mt. Skokomish 6,434', Henderson 6,000', Pershing 6,154, and Washington 6,255'. Barren ridges and numerous steepfaced rock outcrops are present throughout this Wilderness.  Stands of old-growth occur on the lower slopes consisting primarily of Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western redcedar. At the upper elevations, subalpine fir and western white pine give way to rock and scattered alpine vegetation commonly found in the subalpine and alpine zones.  The Hamma Hamma River is the only major stream flowing through the Wilderness. Mildred Lakes are a popular destination in the Wilderness.

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Mt. Skokomish Wilderness has excellent opportunities for backpacking, mountain climbing, fishing, and camping.  There are over 13 miles of trail inside the Mt. Skokomish Wilderness. The Mildred Lakes Trail is a primitive trail that has extremely steep pitches and is the major access into the Wilderness. The elevation gain on this trail is 2,100 feet and it is 4.5 miles in length. The Mt. Rose Trail, 4.8 miles, provides steep access to the summit of Mt. Rose at the southern end of the Wilderness. The Putvin Trail, 3.0 miles, accesses the north portion of the Wilderness and is also very steep. All three trails are most difficult.  Wilderness visitors should always carry rain gear and adequate clothing, food, and backpacking equipment. Proper boots and clothing should be worn.

NOTICE

Fires above 3,500 feet elevation and groups consisting of more than 12 persons and/or 8 livestock are prohibited within the Wilderness. FIRES ARE PROHIBITED AT MILDRED LAKES. STOVES ONLY. Apply "Leave No Trace" techniques.

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Hood Canal Ranger District

Size: 16,682 acres

Key Access Points:

FS Road #25 (Hamma Hamma Road)
FS Road #2510 (Duckabush Road)
Lena Lake Trail #810
The Brothers Trail #821
Duckabush Trail #803
Mt. Jupiter Trail #809
Elevation Range: 600' to 6,866'
Wilderness Permit: None Required

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Brothers Wilderness is located on the east side of Olympic National Forest, north of Lena Lake in Jefferson County. Except for a relatively gentle valley area in the East Fork of Lena Creek, the entire Wilderness is quite precipitous with tree covered slopes extending to about 5,000 feet. Elevation ranges from 699 feet near the Dosewallips River to the 6,866 foot summit of The Brothers. Other major peaks include Mt. Jupiter Ridge, and St. Peter's Dome. Western hemlock, Douglas-fir and western redcedar dominate the lower slopes. Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock cover the upper slopes before giving way to subalpine fir and mountain meadows and rock outcrops.  The Duckabush River is the only major stream flowing through the Wilderness. Jupiter Lakes and several small ponds are located on Jupiter Ridge.

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Brothers Wilderness has excellent opportunities for backpacking, mountain climbing, hunting, and camping. The Brothers trail begins at the end of Lena Lake trail and provides access to popular climbing routes to The Brothers. The trail is 3.0 miles in length and ranges in difficulty from easy to difficult. The Duckabush trail follows the Duckabush River and enters the Olympic National Park in 6.2 miles and ranges from easy to difficult. The Mt. Jupiter trail is 7.2 miles in length and provides access along Jupiter Ridge to Jupiter Lakes. This trail is hot and dry during the summer months and is considered most difficult.  Wilderness visitors should always carry rain gear and adequate clothing, food, and backpacking equipment. Proper boots and clothing shoud be worn.

NOTICE

Fires above 3,500 feet elevation and groups consisting of more than 12 persons and/or 8 livestock are prohibited within the Wilderness. FIRES ARE PROHIBITED AT JUPITER LAKES AND PONDS. STOVES ONLY above 3,500 feet elevation.

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Size: 2,349 acres
Key Access Points:
FS Roads #2355 & #2451-100
NOTE: Cross-country access only. There are no constructed trails in the Wonder Mountain Wilderness.
Elevation Range: 1,740' to 4,758'
Wilderness Permit: None Required

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This 2,349 acre Wilderness is one of the smallest wildernesses in the Western United States. Wonder Mountain Wilderness borders the Olympic National Park and is located west of Lake Cushman in Mason County. Terrain is generally rugged and ranges from a low of 1,740 feet in McKay Creek to the summit of Wonder Mountain at 4,758 feet. The lower slopes are heavily timbered with dense stands of Douglas- fir, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir. Massive rock outcrops and precipitous pinnacles are common in the higher elevations.

Wonder Mountain is the highest peak in the Wilderness. Wonder Ponds and several other ponds are located in the high headwaters of McKay Creek. There are no rivers or major streams in the Wilderness.

The two major access roads have seasonal closures from October 1 to May 1 to protect wildlife.

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Wonder Mountain Wilderness has good opportunities for backpacking, mountain climbing, fishing, and camping in a primitive setting. Opportunities for solitude are excellent.  There are no trails within this Wilderness. Access is only by cross-country travel. Wilderness travelers should carry map and compass for route finding.  Wilderness visitors should always carry rain gear and adequate clothing, food, and backpacking equipment. Proper boots and clothing should be worn.

NOTICE

Fires above 3,500 feet elevation and groups consisting of more than 12 persons are prohibited within the Wilderness. FIRES AT WONDER PONDS AND ALL OTHER PONDS IN THE WILDERNESS ARE PROHIBITED. STOVES ONLY.

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Click on Wilderness Name for detail information (PDF file).

* No Wilderness permit is required, however, a Northwest Forest Pass or Golden Passport (Eagle, Age or Access) is required for all vehicles parked at most trailheads on Olympic National Forest.

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US Forest Service - Olympic National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 07 September 2004 at 09:14:36 EDT