Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Lower Gray Wolf River
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. A new beginning and an abrupt ending have changed this trail considerably since the 1990s. From the small parking lot, start downhill on new trail, formerly a logging road. A series of slides forced this reroute. The new trail starts away from the river, but its slope-side route provides some nice views of Maynard Mountain and the portal to the Gray Wolf Canyon. After 0.5 mile of gentle walking, enter mature forest. The Cat Creek Loop Trail takes off to the left. An alternative route, it drops steeply through an ancient cedar grove, and then follows a portion of the old Gray Wolf Trail to return to the main trail about 0.5 mile farther. It's worth the walk, increasing the sweat factor only slightly. The main trail leaves the old roadbed, entering a cool old-growth forest of fir and hemlock and accelerating its drop to the river. At 1.5 miles enter the Buckhorn Wilderness, the river growing louder. Finally reach the wild waterway and traverse a sun-kissed bottomland that invites naps and snack breaks. At 2.5 miles leave the river bottom to climb diagonally up a steep hillside. A few breaks in the trees provide views up to lofty Gray Wolf Ridge and down into the canyon. Dropping back to river level, feel a cool breeze embrace you as the trail heads along the surging waterway. At 3.5 miles, after some of the nicest riverside hiking on this side of the Olympics, the trail once again climbs a steep hillside. Enjoy good views of the Gray Wolf crashing through a tight canyon gorge. Make your way back to river bottom, and at 4.2 miles call it quits as the trail ends at a narrow gorge that once housed a high bridge. Noted Olympic guidebook writer and legend Robert Wood once observed, "The bridge was built high enough to preclude its destruction from floods."This was probably the only time Mr. Wood wasn't correct-a torrent in the early 1990s washed it away. Fording the river here is extremely dangerous. If you want to further explore the Gray Wolf Valley, use the Slab Camp Creek Trail. But that's for another time. Right now, sit by the lovely waterway, letting its rapids mesmerize and its resident dippers entertain you.
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 to a junction. 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. Turn right on FR 2870, cross the Gray Wolf River, and arrive at the trailhead after 1.8 miles. (Alternatively, from US 101 west of Sequim, turn left/south on Taylor Cutoff Road, turn right on Lost Mountain Road, and then turn left on FR 2870 and drive 5.5 miles to the trailhead.) Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Snow on trail
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As always we began our hike at the former TH which is a few yards after the crossing of the...
As always we began our hike at the former TH which is a few yards after the crossing of the Gray Wolf River on FS Road 2870. There is a large parking area on the left. One gains more elevation by starting here, but the forest walk through old growth hemlock, cedars and firs is beautiful! The trail is in excellent condition. At 2 miles we turn left at the junction with the trail from the new TH. In about 1/2 mile you reach the river and follow it for perhaps another 1/2 mile before beginning the climb of a steep hillside to the high point of the trail which is 3450 feet and 1050 ft from the old TH. In this section there were 2 easily crossed trees across the trail. We began to descend to the river and soon came to a 24 " tree across the trail. Bob easily crossed it, but wimpy me with my short legs and the steep downhill to my left decided this should be our turn around point since we had only 2 hours of day light left! We returned to the river where we had a late lunch and a bald eagle sighting! We had snow at the beginning of our hike and "off and on" throughout the day making for a winter wonderland. There were 1-2 " of snow in the open areas. This is one of our favorite winter hikes and is enjoyable in any kind of weather! Directions to the TH are accurate in Craig Romano's book, "Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula".
Lower Gray Wolf River
— Dec 06, 2011
— Bad Water
Day hike
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We started from the old lower trailhead and encountered no major obstacles from there until the trail ends at the...
We started from the old lower trailhead and encountered no major obstacles from there until the trail ends at the washed-out bridge--just a few easily navigated downed trees, most of which have been there for months or longer. No snow, only some frost down at river level. Little smudges of fog in the alder branches above the river and about ten minutes of pale wintry sun on the trees. A mat of soggy leaves on the trail. No people. Just what you want in a winter river hike.
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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The last mile of the road to the TH has compact snow and ice an requires 4 WD or chains....
The last mile of the road to the TH has compact snow and ice an requires 4 WD or chains. Needless to say this will change with weather conditions. There was only an inch of snow at the TH. Ice on the road was the main problem. The temperature was 26 as we began our hike. We hiked the Slab Camp Trail to the junction with the Lower Gray Wolf Trail and turned left to hike to the washout of the trail near the former log stringer bridge. After crossing the bridge over the Gray Wolf River at Duncan Flat, the Slab Camp Creek Trail has an excellent reroute near its junction with the Lower Gray Wolf Trail. The Lower Gray Wolf Trail is in excellent condition and is beautiful as it climbs above the Gray Wolf River and then descends to river level passing through lush forest and boulders covered with moss and lichens. This is one of our favorite fall and winter hikes. It is 8 miles RT.
Lower Gray Wolf River
— Aug 06, 2011
— jessihs
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
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We reached the Lower Gray Wolf River trailhead via forest service roads, coming from the Mount Zion trailhead. We were...
We reached the Lower Gray Wolf River trailhead via forest service roads, coming from the Mount Zion trailhead. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we did not need 4WD or high clearance on any of the forest service roads - they were in pretty great shape! Kinda wished we'd driven the fuel-efficient car instead of the SUV...
Anyway, we arrived at the Gray Wolf trailhead, packed our lunch into our backpacks, and headed off for a picnic by the river. FYI, they were TONS of mosquitos at the trailhead, even in the middle of the day. They cleared a bit along the trail, though. We hiked in about 2 miles and found a nice spot along the river. Ate a quick lunch and then made our way back out. It was pretty muggy and a little warm for our Northwest blood, but still a nice hike.
Lower Gray Wolf River
— Aug 03, 2011
— Tony_88
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Washouts
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Trail was in great condition except for one spot 2.5 miles from trail head. A slide has left the trail...
Trail was in great condition except for one spot 2.5 miles from trail head. A slide has left the trail a little difficult to walk with a backpack. My 11 year old daughter accompanied me. Camped at last campsite along trail for two nights. Did not see another soul until near trail head on return. River still up considering it is almost late August. Water was no problem. Anecdotal comment: My brother and I hiked this trail before the Forest Service decided to close it at the 4.5 mark. This was a beautiful trail into the Park with great campsites.
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Gray Wolf River. Photo by Hikerchick.
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