Royal CreekRecent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
20
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mud/Rockslide
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The drive to TH was through thick clouds and mist but they mostly cleared at TH and on up hike....
The drive to TH was through thick clouds and mist but they mostly cleared at TH and on up hike. Trail was in good shape, blowdowns cleared (and dated), with little water on trail. Just as trail breaks out of forest there is the remnants of a very large avalanche. Lots of mangled trees and a large chute of snow/ice to climb over. The large trees show signs of rock and snow damage as far up as 35' and the tops of the smaller trees have been shorn off all at same 30 level. Lots of rock came down also. There were lots of flowers in bloom through the open areas. Took our lunch in the higher open slope, saw 2 black bears traversing the opposite slopes. Encountered several backpackers and one very interesting ranger who spends the week at Royal Lake and climbs the peaks everyday. The high peaks were in and out of the clouds adding great photographic dimensions. Turned around at the falls or about six miles.
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Mudholes
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
We began our hike in a light drizzle which would be our hiking partner most of the day! 8 backpackers...
We began our hike in a light drizzle which would be our hiking partner most of the day! 8 backpackers were heading for Boulder Shelter as we pulled into the parking lot. They would be the only other hikers we would see. In the first mile there were fewer mushrooms than we have seen in past falls; however, with the yellow fall color along the river and the variety of mushrooms, we managed to spend an hour on this section of the trail. The Royal Creek trail with its tall Douglas firs and western hemlock and canopy of moss, ferns,vanilla leaf and mushrooms in the fall is one of our favorites on a cloudy, rainy day. Time forced us to turn around about a 1/2 mile from the first meadow. The trail was in excellent condition except for some mud which happens when it rains! Areas of bunchberry with red berries were very pretty. Royal Creek was beautiful with its cascades. rapids, and falls accented in many areas by the yellow of the ferns, vanilla Leaf, and the leaves of trees. We saw many road hunters on our way to the TH, but no hunters on the trail.
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
This was our daughter Annie's first overnight backpacking trip,so although the Royal Basin can be done as...
This was our daughter Annie's first overnight backpacking trip,so although the Royal Basin can be done as a long day hike, we decided to spread it out.
We arrived at the Dungeness River Trailhead late in the day to avoid some of the heat. Road to the trailhead was in great condition. This first night we hiked 1 mile down the Dungeness to the junction with the Royal Basin trail, then about 1.5 miles to the first campsite. We assumed this was the first of three Royal Creek campsites, turns out it is not, but no worries. Although a short day of hiking, we left plenty of time to enjoy and explore the Royel Creek banks. On day 2 we pushed on to Royal Lake. The first third of the trail works its way through a beautiful old growth forest, carpeted from tree to tree in one solid blanket lush moss. It then opens up a bit in the second third as it begins a more steady climb to the basin. Good vistas of the surrounding jagged peaks begin hear and continue the rest of the way. The last stretch to the lake holds the steapest portion of the trail up to this point. On a hot day we suggest stopping in the lower meadow and pumping some ice cold water as a great motivator. Royal Lake is a wonderful suprise! Beautiful clear water beckons you from the moment you arrive. Although there are 7 camp sites around the lake you'll hardly notice, each seems to be nicely secluded from one another. The water is cold but very refreshing. The flys and mosquitoes are on full attack so don't forget your bug spray!! After making camp and cooling off we left our packs and continued the hike to the Upper Basin. Don't skip out on this hike. You may not want to tote your gear the extra way, but definately plan it into your trip. The alpine meadow above Royal lake is first class, as are the views of Mt. Deception, the Needles and Mt. Clark. The landscape at the base of Mt Deception will leave you feeling as though you might be on Mars. From the color of water in Imperial Tarn to the piles of rock, Royal Basin look other worldly. If you go in for scrambling, the rock piles can yield great fun and full view of Deception's glacier, as with all rock piles use caution. In the evening hike back to camp the marmot population was out in full force. The large rock at the north end of the lake is full of them so stop for a while and enjoy the show. Before heading out on day 3 we made our way over to the waterfall near by. If you follow the trail around past the ranger outpost and keep going you can get a pretty good view. Looks like the trail used to get closer but might have been washed out. We began our hike back down after one more dip in the lake. Easy going although it was very hot. We decided to stay 1 more night and so set up camp at the fork of the Dungeness and Royal Creek. Took a short trip down the Dungeness to the new bridge. On our way back we encountered a salmon berry score of epic proporitions! There is an large tree down across Royal Creek right where it meets the Dungeness. On the south side of the log there is a berry patch along the water. These bushes yielded the largest berries we've ever seen! Many 1 1/2" wide(the leatherman tool in the picture is full size and finger an adult)! All in all a great trip. We highly recommend it. You'll need to call to reserve a backcountry site. The trail is in great condition as is the scenery. Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The many varieties and abundance of mushrooms along the first mile of the Dungeness Trail made for VERY slow walking...
The many varieties and abundance of mushrooms along the first mile of the Dungeness Trail made for VERY slow walking because of all the images made! There were British Soldiers, Goatsbeard, and many others we couldn't name! We went right at the junction signed Royal Basin and hiked 3-3 1/2 miles along Royal Creek which if not always seen is always heard. What a beautiful creek with many rapids and cascades!The forest, too, is beautiful with a plush carpet of green under many of the trees.
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage | Ripe berries
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Happily the great weather held for our midweek backpack to Royal Basin. We
hiked for about a mile on the...
Happily the great weather held for our midweek backpack to Royal Basin. We
hiked for about a mile on the Upper Dungeness trail, then veered right at the junction towards Royal Basin. The musical rivers, Dungeness then Royal Creek kept us company on a good portion of this very lovely trail. The trail shows signs of recent excellent work (see Sept mag article) and becomes quite rocky as it ascends, so good boots and poles work well. We spotted numerous designated campsites in the delightful lower meadow and many tucked away around Royal Lake. There’s plenty for everyone to enjoy here; deer nursing their young, plump marmot whistling, grouse, lots of fish rings, towering 5 foot pinedrops and striped candystick, wonderful alpine meadows, petite wildflowers along with numerous tiny glacier-fed lakes high in the moraine above Royal Lake. Very nice and extremely interesting trip. Food for thought; we do wonder now about the lone man with a rifle, encountered within half mile of the Upper Dungeness trailhead parking lot. He seemed a cheery fellow and said hello ..... Map .. CC Buckhorn Wilderness |
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
