Charlia Lakes Way Trail

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There are 4 trip reports for this hike.

Charlia Lakes Way Trail, Marmot Pass, Upper Dungeness River — Aug 14, 2010 — ann

Multi-night backpack

Features: Wildflowers blooming

Issues: Snow on trail | Bugs

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I have been wanting to do this trip after reading Mike and Gary's 2003 trip report http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/tripreport-2003090704. We found their directions...

I have been wanting to do this trip after reading Mike and Gary's 2003 trip report http://www.wta.org/[…]/tripreport-2003090704.

We found their directions for finding the way trail, and over all hike description, to be very good. I do want to underline that the way trail down the scree trail to Upper Charlia is sketchy and difficult, especially with packs. Poles would probably be a hindrance as you may want to use your hands. The slope is very steep and the scree is hardpacked in places with a thin layer of slippery loose pebbles on top. It is 9.6 miles each way, according to our GPS, from the Big Quilcene trailhead.

Our party, consisting of D and A, 2 excited teenagers and a 12 year old, got a late start on a Saturday. The trail begins in a beautiful old growth forest with majestic trees and small flowery meadows. It was intensely hot and we all stopped at the first stream to soak our hiking clothes. At crowded Camp Mystery we filled a water carrier with 10 liters, intending to make a dry camp at Marmot Pass, but found that area to be too crowded for our taste and we continued on to the trail junction near the Boulder shelter, where we found a campsite in a pretty meadow with no other campers within view. So we didn't need to carry the water, but at least carrying it was good exercise (for one of the teenagers, not me!).

The next day we were expecting a short easy hike to the lakes. At the trail junction with the way trail there is a sign indicating the Home Lake trail to the right--we went left on the unmarked trail. The way trail at first is very established. It climbs through alpine meadows to a ridge, then turns northeast to climb a steep slope to the saddle overlooking upper Charlia. The way down looked scary and the scree proved to be just as slippery as it looked, and where hard packed was very difficult, so we elected to cross the steep snow field to climb down the steady rocks on the southside. If experienced on steep snow and carrying ice axes and wearing gloves the best way would be to plunge step down the snow or even, if skilled, glissade. But none of the kids had much snow experience. The less experienced left their packs behind. D kicked steps across the snow field for them, but they still found it scary. D retrieved the packs and the rest of the down climb felt like a pleasant stroll in contrast. Still, these 2 miles took about 4 tiring hours.

Lower Charlia lived up to our high expectations and we had it all to ourselves, which is good, because there is only one nice campsite. Most of the lake shore is very steep, and the southside still holds snow. The campsite by the inlet easily held our three small tents. Unfortunately some previous slobs had left it rather trashed with lots of broken glass, rusty tin cans and a trash filled fire ring, but we cleaned it up quite a bit. The next day we had a rest day, fishing, swimming, scrambling up to a pass to the north overlooking the Quilcene, and circling the lake on the rough way trail.

We hiked all the way out out in one pretty long, hot day. The only hard part was the 500 feet from Upper Charlia to the pass--a difficult scramble up the steep scree. There is a faint zig zag trail to follow but it is very steep and slippery. We decided it probably would have been easier to climb the rocks and cross the snowfield at the top again or even climb the snowfield. We had a chance to test this theory when G's water bottle fell out of his pack and slid all the way to the bottom. D lept at the chance to glissade down, retrieve the bottle, and climb up the snow. No iceaxe, but the snow was soft enough to arrest without one if you know how.

Great trip.

Blueberries--still small and green in the subalpine areas, ripe and sour in the lower woods.

Snow--One moderate snowfield to cross with nice steps already kicked between Marmot Pass and Home Lake. Ice axe not needed here, but could be useful for the steep slope above Upper Charlia.

Bugs--biting flies during the day, mosquitos at dusk and dawn. Tolerable.

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Upper Dungeness Trail, Charlia Lakes Way Trail — Jul 24, 2009 — Shawn

Day hike

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I hiked both of these trails on July 24th. I made my camp a mile in on the Upper Dungeness...

I hiked both of these trails on July 24th. I made my camp a mile in on the Upper Dungeness Trail as I camped there last year and there are some nice campsites in the area. I started my hike at 12:30pm and made it to Boulder Shelter around 3:00pm. They have rebuilt the bridge over the Dungeness River although it hasn't been updated on the Olympic National Forest Website. There were alot of flies around on different sections of the Upper Dungeness trail but I only noticed them when I stoppped for my breaks.

I had some trouble finding the Charlia Lakes Trail from Boulder Shelter as there is a sign that says Home Lake. Take that trail and not too far up you'll see a trail that goes to the left, which is the Charlia Lakes Trail. Eventually, you'll come to a small pond on your left where there is a campsite available. The trail continues to the end of a huge rock tower. You'll have to go down the slope a few feet to see a couple of the lakes.

Both trails were in good condition. I made it back to my campsite around 7:30pm.

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Alphabet Ridge,Charlia Lakes trail — Aug 20, 2005 — Ancient Ambler

Day hike

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Decided to push it a bit and go for Cloudy Peak (6974) on the west end of Alphabet Ridge...

Decided to push it a bit and go for Cloudy Peak (6974) on the west end of Alphabet Ridge just north of Warrior. Left the Upper Dungeness TH at 8AM and adopted a slow and steady pace, reaching the 6974 foot summit at 1:15, after several water stops and a lunch break at Charlia Pass. Due to the relatively early start, stayed in refreshingly cool shade almost all the way to Boulder Camp. Took the Charlia Lakes way trail cutoff a few hundred yards south of Boulder Camp off the trail to Home Lake. The way trail remains in good shape despite no maintainance, wending its way through the trees and climbing as it heads south toward a small pothole. The route becomes a bit indistinct at the pothole, appearing to lead upward from the northeast corner of the pothole, but this soon peters out in a meadow. It is better to gain the small ridge just south of the pothole, where you will find the most-travelled trail heading up toward the pass. From here on up you will be treated to some of the finest views of Warrior, Inner Constance, Del Monte Ridge and an array of very high peaks to the west, including Mystery, Deception, and the Needles. Charlia Pass offers all of these views, plus Glacier Peak visible through the gap provided by Tunnel Creek, and by walking a bit to the north, you can look down at upper Charlia Lake. Charlia Pass sits at about 6300 foot elevation, about 7.4 miles from the Upper Dungeness TH. Cloudy Peak lies about 1/2 mile to the south of Charlia Pass, and can be accessed by crossing rock slides just to the north and east of the peak, with a final ascent up a very steep (perhaps 45 degree) scree chute with loosely embedded rock. One-at-a-time is the only way to go up this chute, and it is not for neophyte hikers. The summit is perhaps 30 feet beyond the top of the chute, and as you step out of the chute you are presented with a spectacular view of the Puget Sound lowlands, including Hood Canal, Puget Sound, Seattle, and the Cascades from Mt. Baker to Mt. Rainier, plus the dramatically close cliffs of Warrior, Constance and Inner Constance. Lingered at the top for a half hour or so, then started back down. It remained quite hot all the way down to Boulder Camp, but a breeze and tree shade kept things cool down to Camp Handy. The walk out from Camp Handy was in cool shade and a light breeze from the north, providing welcome relief from the exertions of our about 15.8 mile round-trip trip with 4474 foot elevation gain.

Two photos: one looking southeast from Cloudy Peak over Warrior Arm to Hood Canal, Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier; the other looking south from Cloudy Peak, with Warrior on the left and Inner Constance on the right.

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Big Quilcene River #833.1,Charlia Lakes — Sep 07, 2003 — Michael and Gary

Day hike

Issues: Blowdowns | Clogged drainage

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We have wanted to take a trip to the Charlia Lakes for many years. We had heard great fishing...

We have wanted to take a trip to the Charlia Lakes for many years. We had heard great fishing stories. We had also been told that it was best to make this a three day trip, but our only option was a two day trip, so here are some details.

We chose to take a route from the Big Quilcene Trailhead, over Marmot Pass, down to Boulder Shelter camp and up to Charlia Lakes. Make sure you’re in good shape since this route is about 9 miles and 4850 vertical gain and 1700 down on the trip in. Then reverse it for the trip out.

Here is how to get to the trail head. From about one mile south of Quilcene, WA, on US 101, take Penny Creek Road west about one mile; take the south fork when the road splits and you'll be on County Road 27 for about 10 miles; turn west on Forest Service Road 2750 that follows the Quilcene River approximately five miles to the Big Quilcene Trailhead.

The path up the Big Quilcene trail, #833, is in great shape. About 2 miles in there is a large culvert needs to be repositioned as the creek is running over the trail. At about 2.5 miles there are 5 trees between 4 and 10 inches across that are blocking the trail making the trail impassable to stock. They are all about 4 feet above the trail, making everyone crawl under. With all the large trees down in the area, we saw no way to get around in any direction. When you get to Camp Mystery, make sure you check out the sites about 100 yards above the main camp area, they are some of the best in the area.

Once down to the Boulder Shelter Camp, travel about 100 yards south past the camp toward Home Lake. There is a well used, unmarked, trail heading east (left) and up the hill, at a sign that shows Home Lake to the right. Take that about 700 vertical up, there is a nice camp next to a water hole. This would be a good spot to make a base camp if you wanted to day hike to the Charlia Lakes. From here it is another 800 vertical up to a saddle to the east. There are switch backs up this steep face that I have not seen on any map. From the saddle it is about 500 vertical down to the first lake. At first glance you will see a very steep trail straight down loose sand and gravel, but there is a set of not so well used, hard to see, switch backs on the left side. Up or down, this section is difficult with a full backpack on. There was still some snow around this shallow lake. Continue down another 200 vertical to the larger lake, it was snow free and full of beautiful 6-10 inch cutthroat trout. We caught one on nearly every cast using a couple of standard flies, wooly buggers worked great. They hold deep so bring some weights. I am told it is stocked every few years or so. A float tube or small raft would be very handy as it is very difficult to get around the lake. There was one nice camp at the inlet creek that will hold two tents. There is another just above it in the trees. It will only hold one small tent and is difficult to find. There are also two very small, not so level spots at the east end. One small bumpy tent pad in each spot. The east end is best accessed along the north shore. The trail is very poor, over grown with trees and brush and would be difficult with a full backpack. For that matter, the whole area is very rocky and steep and just plain natural. About 100 yards past the east end of the lake is a great view of Puget Sound. Trout for breakfast and then back on the trail. My advice, make it a three day trip and enjoy the lake and the solitude. Most likely no one else will be there.

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