Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Tubal Cain Mine and Buckhorn Lake
Retrace a packer's trail to a mine dating from the 1890s. Peer into dark forbidding shafts and saunter past relics left over from boomtown settlements that went bust. But the real find is the miles of wildflower-studded meadows beyond the mine. Rhododendrons too-traverse a jungle of them on the trail's lower reaches.
Start on a well-groomed track, passing the Silver Creek Shelter (which once provided refuge to wayfarers before FR 2870 shortened the journey) and crossing Silver Creek on a log bridge shortly afterward. After 0.5 mile enter the Buckhorn Wilderness; then turn southward, entering the Copper Creek valley. Skirting slopes high above the creek, the trail travels through a tunnel of rhododendrons and thick stands of second-growth conifers. Occasional breaks in the forest canopy offer previews of the high country lying ahead. After 3 miles of easy but monotonous walking (except in early summer when the rhodies' purple reign dazzles and delights), come to a junction. The trail left climbs steeply 0.7 mile into Tull Canyon. Among the surprises that await you if you explore this rugged rift are the ruins of an old mining town and the remains of a crashed World War II-era military plane. Immediately up the trail and visible from the junction is a mine shaft. It's extremely dangerous to enter, so best to just imagine what deep dark secrets it possesses (or once possessed). A half mile beyond, in dank, scrappy forest, is the site of yet another old mining town, now a popular backcountry camping area. Rusted relics lie scattered about-some have been revived, serving the needs of imaginative campers. The Tubal Cain Mine lies just to the left. It is a private inholding within the wilderness and is still active (somewhat); respect all postings and leave any equipment alone. Besides, you have little time to snoop around with miles of meadows waiting for your arrival. Leap across Copper Creek and begin climbing the valley's west wall via a series of short (followed by one long) switchbacks. Now, thanks to a series of past forest fires and avalanches, enjoy 2 miles of hip-hopping through the harebells. Other blossoms too-a full spectrum of colors streaks the hillside. Twin-peaked Buckhorn Mountain with Iron Mountain by its side hovers over the far end of the valley. At 5.5 miles reach a junction. The trail left drops 150 feet, heading 0.5 mile to little Buckhorn Lake tucked in thick timber. The lake isn't much, but Copper Creek is pretty enough to make the trip worth it.
Driving Directions:
From the west end of the Hood Canal Bridge, drive State Route 104 to its end and veer north onto US 101. Proceed 16 miles and turn left onto Louella Road (just before reaching the Sequim Bay State Park entrance). In 1 mile turn left on Palo Alto Road, continuing for 6 miles. Bear right at a junction onto Forest Road 2880. The road descends and crosses the Dungeness River, coming to another junction in 1.7 miles, where you turn left on FR 2870. In 2.6 miles bear right at a junction to continue on FR 2870 (formerly called FR 2860). Continue 10 miles to the trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Trail is clear and in good condition until just before the Copper Creek crossing at which point heav...
Trail is clear and in good condition until just before the Copper Creek crossing at which point heavy snowpack is still in place from the winter snows starting about a tenth of a mile before the Copper Creek crossing. Thick, heavy ice in places from traffic packing snow down and freezing.
Minor blowdowns encountered prior to the creek, but easily stepped over. After the creek snow pack increases along the switchbacks leading up to the Buckhorn Lake junction with one large section we didn't cross due to concerns about stability of the pack, and our lack of ice axes or traction devices. This section of trail isn't washed out, but is damaged by snowpack sloughing down the ridge. Various types of animal scat encountered on trail, mostly bear, deer, and possibly coyote droppings. Some discernible deer tracks in snow/mud, but no other discernible tracks. Would recommend traction devices, gaiters, and ice axes for folks intending to carry on to Buckhorn Lake or points beyond on the Tubal Cain trail. Day hike
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A few months ago we headed across the water to the Olympic Peninsula to take on a hike that promised...
A few months ago we headed across the water to the Olympic Peninsula to take on a hike that promised lakes, mines, creeks, and the wreckage of a B-17. The Tubal Cain Mine Trail snakes through the Buckhorn Wilderness, tracing the route miners took back in the early 1900s to reach their mining camps.
This hike has a little bit of everything, from lakes and creeks to canyons and mountain passes. With multiple destinations along the trail, you can tailor this hike depending on your time and company. The trail to the mine is a good choice for a late season hike and should be approachable for almost every hiker. And while Tull Canyon Trail is more challenging, the promise of plane wreckage provides ample motivation. The trek out to Buckhorn Pass is for those folks looking to put in a ten or eleven mile day. Whatever you’re looking to do, find some time to head out to the Olympics to explore the Buckhorn Wilderness along the Tubal Mine Trail soon. For the full report, check out: http://www.hikingwithmybrot[…]and-tull-canyon-trails.html Nathan & Jer Day hike
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The trail starts at Tubal Cain trailhead. The first 3.2 miles are an easy grade through a mature lo...
The trail starts at Tubal Cain trailhead. The first 3.2 miles are an easy grade through a mature lowland forest, with much of the trail bounded by wild rhododendren. The trail is relatively free of roots and rocks and very easy on the feet, although there are a few stream crossings with steep drops and soft edges from washing out. At the Tull Canyon trail intersection (at 3.2 miles) the undergrowth clears and the trail flattens for a while. The trail passes through a campground and then crosses Copper Creek. Here, a mulitplicity of trails interlace with one another leading north and south. Once you cross the creek, look to your right (north) for the primary trail, where the first of 4 progressively longer switch backs begin. The grades are gentle and the views become more and more stunning as you gain altitude. The ridgeline above the trail is populated with marmots; you can hear them whistling as you walk the trail. At 2.3 miles after the Tull Canyon trail intersection, you'll find the trail down to Buckhorn Lake. As you near the lake, you'll find again interlacing trails; just keep in mind you approaching the lake from above it, not below. The trial conditions on Sept 30 were perfect; no obstructions, no snow, no washouts. A beautiful day hike.
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs | No water source
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Most people seem to turn around at the plane crash site about a 3/4 mile up the Tull Canyon side tra...
Most people seem to turn around at the plane crash site about a 3/4 mile up the Tull Canyon side trail, but we were richly rewarded for following it right to the end.
Shortly after the crash site the trail opened up into gorgeous alpine meadows that were just bursting with wildflowers - lupine, columbine, daisies, lilies, Indian paintbrush and more. There is a big rock slide along the way and it's not immediately clear where the trail picks back up. Head uphill and to your left and look for a pink ribbon tied to a branch. From there the trail is a bit overgrown but not hard to follow by any means. There are some fallen trees to clamber over. The gradient is steep all the way, bit of a slog with a backpack. Eventually the trail dipped into a gorgeous flower-filled alpine meadow. With a bit of exploration we found a lovely flat and soft established campsite with a fire ring (which we didn't use). There were a lot of bugs in the evening but not so many that a good dose of bug spray couldn't keep them at bay. There is no water source near the campsite so you will need to make sure you're well supplied with drinking water, but there are some snow banks that we used for cooking. Once we had set up camp we hiked back down to the main Tubal Cain trail and walked the trail to Buckhorn Lake. Lovely meadows up here but I would say the ones on Tull Canyon trail were better. There was barely anyone on this trail past the plane crash, even though it was a sunny August weekend. We only saw one other party of two hikers hiking out the day we hiked in. Noone else for miles around. It was a rare treat to get our own slice of alpine paradise at this time of year! Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Bugs
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Defiantly a great hike I have went every year for the past three years with ranger corp and I absolu...
Defiantly a great hike I have went every year for the past three years with ranger corp and I absolutely love it! The view/flowers/lake/everything else are all amazing I defiantly recommend it!
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 Tubal Cain Mine. Photo by Stephen Alvarado.
2012
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