This is the third time I've done this trail. The first time, a few years ago, we were fortunate to have clear weather and were able to take advantage of the spectacular views. Last year, by the time we reached the ridgetop, everything disappeared in deep fog. Again, on this Friday, we were disappointed as the clouds never lifted enough to get the full view of Mount Constance. Nonetheless, we did get a nice view of the Dosewallip valley and Puget Sound beyond. The hike is very strenuous after crossing the creek at 2.7 miles. The forest and creek are exceptionally beautiful. The trail beyond the creek crossing (on a log bridge)has been greatly improved. It is still terribly steep, but the trailwork we observed as we hiked last year has made it better--lots of carefully placed stones and log steps in some of the worst spots. You reach Harrison Lake in another mile and then it's about another .4 of a mile up to the ridge. From the ridgetop you can take a faint waytrail that takes off to the right and follow it along to reach the highest point of the ridge, climbing a small peak steeply through heather and beargrass. We ate our lunch at the top (ca. 5400 feet)and looked at the bottom 2/3 of Constance. We only saw a few people all day and the hike gave us the sense of solitude and quiet we longed for when we climbed Mount Townsend last Saturday and experienced what felt like a mob scene.

The weather report forcast a sunny day and so we set out hopefully for the Tunnel Creek trail. We had been there two years ago and had been awe- struck by the phenomenal view of Mount Constance at the top. Unfortunately, the clouds never lifted in the eastern Olympics that day, and all possible views were lost. The hike was a fine work-out, none- the less. We were the only hikers that day and greatly enjoyed the beautiful silence of the deep woods. The first 2.7 miles goes along and above Tunnel Creek until you get to the camp and shelter. The Northwest Youth Corps were set up at the camp and had been doing a lot of essential work on this trail that we appreciated right from the beginning. Two years ago much of the trail was a muddy mess; the youth corps workers have filled in the worst places and the trail to the camp was truly an enjoyable experience. Beyond the camp, the trail crosses the river and immediately degenerates. We found the trail crew at work putting in log steps that should eliminate some of the erosion that made that section of the trail nearly impossible. They still have much to do. As we went further, the trail was in increasingly bad condition. There are many trees down--and very steep and rough spots where the trail nearly disappears. We continued to Harrison Lake and then upwards towards the ridge. A large tree had uprooted at a bad spot on the trail, ripping out the trail completely, and we found the only way to go was over the enormous root pack of the tree and use it as the trail for a moment. There is still some snow in places as you get higher--but not too difficult to traverse--just a few large patches. The ridge is snow-free. And we ate lunch on a high point--imagining the view we couldn't see. If you turn right at the point the trail reaches the ridge, you can follow (if you're careful not to lose your way) a faint way-trail that continues along the ridge and then up a steep peak (about 250 feet more elevation). That is the point where you can look directly into the east face of Mount Constance (we only could get a glimpse through the fog of a couple of snow-fields), where it is only 2 miles away. The rough path goes through some lovely flower fields. Be careful on your return down from the summit; it's easy to lose your way--as we did two years ago. In addition to the potential view of Mount Constance, there are also expansive views to the South, including Rainier when it is clear. A big thanks to the Northwest Youth Corps for their hard work on this trail. I look forward to hiking it again after they have finished the higher portions of it.

“Hey Huff, I’ve got a trail for you.” “Well, Puff, tell me about it, but don’t put it on the WTA website or else there will be mass people on the trail.” “How does 4500 feet over 3.2 miles sound'” “Man, Ron Judd could put that one on the front page of the Times and there still wouldn’t be anyone there.” “Riiight!”

Turn west just north of the Dosewallips River in Brinnon and go 9 miles to a sign that says “Elkhorn Camp 2 Miles.” About 150 metres farther is a parking lot on the right. A hundred metres past that is the trailhead at 500 feet.

Supposedly it’s 1.1 miles and 2250 feet up to a creek crossing. It might be a little farther, but this is the steepest official trail I have ever been on, easy. I went another hour past the creek to about the 4000-foot level before I hit serious snow. With the aid of my trusty ice axe, I continued another half-hour before hitting some deep stuff and giving up. I think I was pretty close to the 5050-foot divide. From there the trail purportedly descends 4.4 miles to the 2600-foot trailhead in the Quilcene valley.