Upper Dungeness River
Feb 27, 2010
by
Bob and Barb
—
last modified
Mar 01, 2010 04:43 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Upper Dungeness River
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Agency: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District
- Trails: Dungeness River (#833.2)
- Avg Rating: 4.33
- Be Aware Of
- Blowdowns
Royal Creek at MP 1 and the first bridge
We hiked the 3.4 miles to Camp Handy and then continued .3 miles to the unsigned Heather Creek Trail which goes right as the Upper Dungeness Trail begins to climb in earnest to Boulder Shelter. The Heather Creek trail is very beautiful and was recently cleared by the Gray Wolves and WTA to the Park Boundary which is 4 miles from the start of the trail. At 2 miles the trail reaches Heather Creek where a bridge is under construction. Weather stopped its completion, but an overnight work party is planned for May to add the railing. We talked to other hikers who had gone to the creek and turned around. One of the group crossed the bridge; others chose not to because there were posts but no rails. We were probably 1/4 mile short of the creek when our turn around time came. Both trails were clear except for one 16-18" blowdown on the Dungeness Trail just before the shelter and one small one prior to that. Thank you to the Gray Wolves and WTA for clearing the Heather Creek Trail. Heather Creek has not been previously bridged so it will be a treat to be able to hike the trail to its end! In reading Robert Woods description of the Heather Creek Trail we learned that Heather Creek and Milk Creek form the Dungeness River. There are at least 2 campsites in a meadow area near the Dungeness River at this point.
|
Olympic Face on log between Camp Handy and Heather Creek Trail
|
Heather Creek Trail
|
Beautiful and sturdy new bridge over the Dungeness River at 2.6 miles
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
