East Fork Quinault River, Anderson Pass, West Fork Dosewallips River, ONeil Pass
Sep 04, 2008
by
alpine
—
last modified
Oct 02, 2008 03:17 PM
- Type of Outing
- Multi-night backpack
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: East Fork Quinault River
- Region: Olympics -- West
- Trails: East Fork Quinault River (#5)
- Avg Rating: 3.60
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Anderson Pass
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Trails: Anderson Pass (#101)
- Avg Rating: 4.00
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: West Fork Dosewallips River
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Trails: West Fork Dosewallips River (#101)
- Avg Rating: 4.40
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: O'Neil Pass
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Trails: O'Neil Pass (#6)
- Avg Rating: 3.75
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Ripe berries
Looking up toward Fisher's Notch from White Creek Meadows
Started the 4.5mi road walk up the EF Quinault in the early afternoon of September 4 for a 4-night trip up to LaCrosse Basin, Anderson Moraine and out the Dosewallips.
We made it to ONeil Camp for the first night. Bugs present but bearable. The next morning we continued up the EF to Enchanted Valley for a lunch break then to the ONeil Pass junction, where we veered off to reach White Creek Meadow where we spent two nights. There are a couple of well used sites at the meadow, with nice open views across the EF toward the West Peak of Mt Anderson, and up the broad meadows in the other direction. Through openings in the late-day clouds we could peek at the off-trail route we planned to take through Fisher's Notch the next day.
From our meadows camp, carrying only day packs, we reached Fisher's Notch in about 1.5hrs. Contured up via meadows, talus and some moderate snow up to the considerably steeper and loose scree in the upper part toward the notch. The grade was much gentler down through meadows into LaCrosse Lake Basin where we connected with the trail. After a brief stop for lunch at Marmot Lake we continued on to ONeil Pass, and then back to our camp at the meadows. Pace was slowed by our constant seaching for bear and elk along the way, some of which we indeed enjoyed at pretty close (but safe) distances.
Broke camp late on day four, headed back down to the EF trail and continued on up to Anderson Pass. Dropped packs and scurried up to Anderson Glacier Moraine and soaked in the sunny views while munching away. Not a soul around. Three more bears enroute. Reluctantly had to leave our airy spot, but eventually descended back to saddle up our packs for a descent into the Dosewallips. Spent our last night by ourselves at Big Timber camp, which we found to be a very nice spot - beside the river among open timber.
Up early for the last stretch of trail and a final 5.5mi road walk to reach the car by noon on Monday, and the drive home.
All in all, an excellent trip. Using the White Creek Meadows camp as a base to make the Fisher's/LaCrosse/ONeil loop was especially cool. Accessed lots of country, but didn't have to lug the packs to do it.
We made it to ONeil Camp for the first night. Bugs present but bearable. The next morning we continued up the EF to Enchanted Valley for a lunch break then to the ONeil Pass junction, where we veered off to reach White Creek Meadow where we spent two nights. There are a couple of well used sites at the meadow, with nice open views across the EF toward the West Peak of Mt Anderson, and up the broad meadows in the other direction. Through openings in the late-day clouds we could peek at the off-trail route we planned to take through Fisher's Notch the next day.
From our meadows camp, carrying only day packs, we reached Fisher's Notch in about 1.5hrs. Contured up via meadows, talus and some moderate snow up to the considerably steeper and loose scree in the upper part toward the notch. The grade was much gentler down through meadows into LaCrosse Lake Basin where we connected with the trail. After a brief stop for lunch at Marmot Lake we continued on to ONeil Pass, and then back to our camp at the meadows. Pace was slowed by our constant seaching for bear and elk along the way, some of which we indeed enjoyed at pretty close (but safe) distances.
Broke camp late on day four, headed back down to the EF trail and continued on up to Anderson Pass. Dropped packs and scurried up to Anderson Glacier Moraine and soaked in the sunny views while munching away. Not a soul around. Three more bears enroute. Reluctantly had to leave our airy spot, but eventually descended back to saddle up our packs for a descent into the Dosewallips. Spent our last night by ourselves at Big Timber camp, which we found to be a very nice spot - beside the river among open timber.
Up early for the last stretch of trail and a final 5.5mi road walk to reach the car by noon on Monday, and the drive home.
All in all, an excellent trip. Using the White Creek Meadows camp as a base to make the Fisher's/LaCrosse/ONeil loop was especially cool. Accessed lots of country, but didn't have to lug the packs to do it.
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Looking down at LaCrosse Lake from Fisher's Notch
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Friend near Hart Lake
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Tarn at Anderson Glacier Moraine, looking south
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