Trip Reports

Reviewing the reports posted, looks like several people had the same idea that I did this weekend. I decided at the last minute to try to get into Grand Valley for a night, so I drove to Port Angeles to stay with my folks thursday night so I could hit the WIC early friday to better my chances of getting a permit. I had a nice chat with the guy there, got a permit for Gladys lake, and headed out to the trailhead.

I arrived at obstruction point about 9:00, and the views were stunning. It was overcast below, but up top, it was great. I chatted with some park guys at the top who were doing goat surveys with a helicopter... they were nice guys and it sounded like the work they were doing was pretty neat.

Finally, I decided it was time to head out... but considering the weather was so good, I decided to take the longest route to Gladys lake, via Deer Park Ridge, then back into Badger Valley. The loop was well worth the extra mileage. From the junction with the badger valley trail and Deer Park Ridge, you could see the lakes in grand valley, along with views of glacier peaks and the Puget Sound.

I then decended through badger valley, then climbed up towards Gladys lake. At this point, I expected to start seeing some more people, considering it was getting to be mid afternoon, but I only saw a few people camped on the other side of Grand lake.

After making camp and relaxing a bit, the bugs and heat convinced me that being leisurely and reading wasn't a great idea, so I headed out towards Grand Pass. I met a ranger coming down who had come from Dose Meadows, and boy was he beat, but he encouraged me to make it to the top of the pass, saying it was well worth the effort. While there was a little snow on the way up the pass, it wasn't anything much... nothing that would need and ice axe...

I got to the top, just as the evening air was starting to cool off, and could see Mt Rainier, Mt. Baker, and nearly every other peak in the park... Anderson, Christie, Meany, Olympus, Carrie, Mystery, and the Needles... simply incredible.

I got back to camp just before dark, had a great dinner, then fell asleep while I watching the stars come out. The night was warm, and I was sure that rain was coming, but when I awoke the sky was clear and I was still dry. I rose at dawn, made a quick breakfast, and was leaving while most other people were just waking up... I figured the lillian ridge was best done early, when it's cool... but it was still a hot dry climb... I ran out of water about a mile before the top, and was pretty cramped up by the time I got there, thankfully there was a snowfield at the top, and I was able to find a little puddle to filter out of at the bottom of it.

And I can attest to the deer being brave up there as well... I slept out under the stars and was woken up by a 8 point buck staring me in the face in the middle of the night... I think I scared him more than he scared me though, because when I said 'oh hello' to him, he bolted. One of the guy's I shared the lake with that night got his shirt eaten... so be warned, don't leave things laying out...

I drove up to the Obstruction point trailhead on Saturday night and enjoyed the finest views you can drive to in Washington. Sunday morning I hiked out along Lillian ridge, stopping at every high point and detouring to every view spot. This is an incredible hike right from the start. There is every type of mountain and peak visible, in all directions. The trail then drops down and down to the Grand Valley through numerous switchbacks that I wasn't looking foreward to climbing on the way out. There is a nice view of Grand Lake from the trail, so I didn't descend to it, but instead pushed on to Moose Lake. I found only one campsite empty, but it was also one of the only ones suitable for my hammock, so I was in luck there. (campsite #9). The bugs were semi-bad, mainly from about 7 to 9 pm. The deer are very brazen, one even stealing a tie-dye bandanna I got the last time the Dead played in Seattle. I chased that darn thing all over the meadow until he dropped it for a second and I drove him off with a charge foreward. Now my bandanna is covered in deer spit. On Monday I was feeling very weak from a bad cold I picked up on Saturday, so I decided not to dayhike to Grand pass but instead just lounged at Moose Lake and rested and took vitamins and went for a short swim. The hike out on Tuesday went well, considering the steep trail and the hot sun. I lounged on the ridge top for several hours, re-absorbing the views. I will return here soon to see the rest of the marvels that I missed this time. Another hiker told me that the hike to Grand pass and Grandview peak was the finest he had ever done, and I believe him based on what I saw. No problems were encountered on the roads or the trails, everything is perfect.

The wife and I spent a great weekend in Grand Valley. It took us 2 1/2 hours to head down the Grand Pass trail to Moose Lake on Friday night. There are about a half-dozen great campsites near the lake-- ours was on a small bluff with a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains behind.

Saturday we hiked up to Grand Pass and Grandview Peak. The upper basin on the way up to Grand Pass is wonderful. Grandview Peak (6701') is aptly named-- sweeping views of the Olympics (of course), even Hood Canal and Mt. Baker.

We had great sun on Friday and Saturday, but Saturday evening a fairly nasty storm blew through with lighting, high winds and blowing rain. The ranger at Moose Lake said that the lightning had started a couple of fires in the park.

Sunday morning we hiked out via the Badger Valley trail. This is well worth the 700' that you lose-- the terrain is very different from the hike down Lillian Ridge and the Grand Pass trail, with some open meadows and a great section of thick doug firs. The last 500' out of Badger Valley is very steep!

We had almost no bugs. Many deer in Grand Valley. Both Grand and Moose Lakes are jammed with brook trout.

The trail into Grand Valley is in excellent condition. No maintenance needed here. The camp sites at Moose Lake afford the occupants outstanding views of the lake, the mountains to the east and Grand Pass. It was quite cold at night, which probibly accounts for the lack of bugs - of any kind! We did hike in a snow storm along the ridge, but the snow turned to rain half way down to Grand Lake. Most of the snow was gone when we returned to the car the next afternoon. The berries are ripe and you can still find wild flowers. Summer is winding to a close. Go if you can.

A long day hike was done over the Lake Lillian to Cameron Pass traverse described in the Climbers Guide to the Olympic Mountains. The hike starts at the Obstruction Peak trailhead and proceeds to Grand Valley, past Moose and Gladys lakes. The trail is in excellent shape with just a few snow patches.

The cross-country route to Lake Lillian starts below the low saddle west of Gladys Lake. Climb to the saddle through meadow and make a southerly traverse over moderate snow and scree to the beautiful basin in upper Lillian Creek. Then hike west towards the stream draining Lake Lillian, staying above the trees and brush but below the rocky spur on the shoulder of McCartney Peak. The route gains the top of a ridge bounding the lower Lake Lillian basin; descend to the basin floor and follow the stream through fields of avalanche lilies to frozen Lake Lillian.

The traverse to Cameron Pass starts by ascending a moderate snow slope to the low point on the ridge just south of the lake. At the top one will see an abandoned trail heading southeast through the meadow. The trail is in remarkably good shape, but unfortunately disappears in about a mile. Continue near the ridge top through meadows, talus, and scree to Cameron Pass.

The north slope of Cameron Pass is steep and snow covered, requiring an ice axe for safety. The trail below the pass to the Grand Pass junction is in excellent shape, as is the trail up to Grand Pass. Frequent water sources are available up to the pass. Moderate snow slopes, safe to cross without an ice axe, cover part of the trail down to Grand Valley. The return to Obstruction Peak retraces the route in, however the ascent to Lillian Ridge seems to take forever.

THe hike into Grand Valley is outstanding. Some wild flowers but the best is yet to come. Some snow on trail between Obstruction Peak and the ridge. Trail is in great shape. Bridge/footlog into camping area on Grand Lake is held in place with ropes. No snow at Grand Lake, still lots at Grand Pass. Lots of friendly deer. Fish in the lake are hungry, no limit, Park wants them out! Rangers at Moose lake are checking permits, so don't forget to stop at WIC before entering park.

With the forecast being, shall we say, less than desirable, I thought I should get a wet backpack in before my multi-day trip in two weekends (cross fingers for good weather and fantastic larches!). Hey, you've got to pay the piper sometime.

Six of us met at the Olympic Park visitor center for our permit, then caravaned up to Obstruction Point. Fog partially obscured this scenic and sometimes quite exposed road. The wind prompted quick donning of parkas, hats and gloves before heading out the Lillian Ridge trail. The wind, she was a'blowin' and snatched the hat right off our leader's head. Reward for recovery!

The steep descent into Grand Valley brought us out of the wind and into milder temperatures. Sucker holes developed and disappeared willy nilly. After setting up camp at Grand Lake, most of us traipsed up to Moose and Gladys Lake, but Grand Pass will have to await better weather.

Passed two backpackers out for a multi day foray over Grand, Cameron and Lost Passes, who had passed a bear shortly before Grand Lake. All we saw there were camp robbers, and deer - one mother with one almost full grown youngun', and one mother with two little ones.

Sprinkles didn't affect dinner or drive us into the tents, but it did rain later that night. One person said there was mixed snow and rain about 5:30 a.m. By the time we packed and left, two of the group were in shorts and some of us wished we were. The ascent up to Lillian Ridge went quickly. I counted 20 switchbacks and one marmot. Olympus was visible from the ridge and the weather was rather decent, still windy, but at least not arctic as before.

We drove down through a layer of fog to partially cloudy skies in Pt. Angeles.

We stopped for a late lunch in Sequim, where solid blue sky stretched north. When we left, the mountains looked, well, horribly nasty. Maybe it was still decent above the clouds, but maybe we left in time.

Tiny patches of snow dotted Obstruction Point on Saturday, but there was no snow on the road and no snow left on Sunday. Had a great trip with fun people. Hope I ""paid my dues"" before the big backpack!

I couldn’t ask for better weather. It was clear and sunny each day of our three-day trip. The nights were clear, and cold. I had hoped to see the meteor showers but no luck. (Or someone was wrong about it.) I left the rain fly off the tent each night and each day woke up with the tent dripping with dew.

I can understand why they have a quota system here. The valley is narrow and you don’t miss anyone coming through. The area here kinda reminds me of a desert like you find in Eastern Washington. The ground is pretty fragile and I made a conscious effort to watch my step to avoid beating a new path.

There were plenty of deer and marmots. An eight point buck visited our camp each day. One morning I found some children’s underwear a couple dozen feet from my tent. I knew it wasn’t there the night before. I think it belonged to our neighbor in the next campsite over. My best speculation is that if you leave your laundry out to dry the deer will carry off with it.

I went up to Grand Pass and got some spectacular views of Cameron Peak, and her valley. Pretty much the same sort of view one gets from Hurricane Ridge of Olympus and her neighbors, but at a different perspective. Going West up the ridge I got views of Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. I followed the ridge on the East Side of the pass to Grand Valley Peak and got some great views of the lakes in the valley. I thought I would take a short cut down the ridge behind Gladys Lake. The rock here is rotten and dangerous. If you have more value for your life than I do, you will back track to Grand Pass and take the trail back.

I went on the far side of Moose Lake to try out the fishing. The lake has Eastern Brook Trout, a non-native species that is threatening the native aquatic life. So, I didn’t feel bad about catching a half dozen for dinner. I tried a dry fly but got nothing. Then I tried a fly on a spin pole and the fish really took to it.

There was very little snow on the trail. Just a few patch at higher elevations and nothing deterring.

Grand Valley/Badger Valley Loop The Grand Valley trailhead is at the end of the Obstruction Point Road, which begins at the east end of the parking lot at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center near Port Angeles in Olympic National Park. The trail begins high, at about 6100’, and follows the top of Lillian Ridge for about a mile and half to the high point at about 6500 feet. On the day I walked this route I could hear coyotes yipping and howling on the slope below me, and when I passed a family party about five minutes later they said they’d seen a coyote pup cross over the top of the ridge. From the high point the trail drops fast to the Grand Lake trail junction at 3.7 miles and about 4950 feet. Moose Lake, Gladys Lake, and Grand Pass are further up the trail. The Ranger Station and a few designated camp sites are at Moose Lake. Grand Lake, where I stayed, has five designated sites on the south side of the lake, and one or two on the west side. The high point of Grand Lake for me was the very cool but still low tech bear wire. After all the publicity about bear problems last year, Olympic National Park is getting more serious about prevention. Parties of four or more are now required to carry one of the new bear-proof food canisters. There’s nothing really special about Grand Valley, but you do get some nice views on the walk along the top of Lillian Ridge. I highly recommend walking back out via Badger Valley. This is a bit counter-intuitive because you have to drop 710’ before climbing back up about 2100’ to the trailhead at Obstruction Point; but if the weather is good, don’t hesitate. Get an early start so you can climb out before it gets too hot, but look forward to great scenery on the way up. This is one of the nicest meadow walks I’ve been on, right up there with Spray Park and Sahale Arm. There is a scary log crossing of Grand Creek near the bottom of the descent out of Grand Lake. The Park Service has flattened off the top of a log, but the flat spot isn’t wide, the log is fairly high, and there’s no handrail. At about a third of a mile past the low point you’ll start to break out into meadows. The views will get better and better as you climb. You’re looking down Grand Creek toward its junction with the Gray Worf River and Cameron Creek. Right at the top, maybe three hundred yards from the trailhead, there is a very nasty, steep snowfield to cross. It may be gone in a few weeks, but right now it’s pretty scary.

Started out on the trail from Observation Pt at noon on friday. Sky was clear and wind was blowing hard on the ridge. There are just a couple small patches of snow on the ridge. The view of the Olympic range was perfect. The flowers are in full bloom now and it is the perfect time to go.

The 22 switchbacks down into the valley are quite steep but once you see the meadows exploding with myriads of brilliant hues and crystal clear waters of Grand lake it makes it seem not too bad.

The first night at Grand Lake was very enjoyable. We watched a few guys fly fishing for brook trout and doing well. On the way out we talked to them and they said they managed to catch (and release) about 30 trout. The mosquitos at the lake are a minor annoyance but the OFF! worked rather well. There are only about 6 tent sites and registering at the ranger station near Pt. Angeles is required. It cost $13 for two nights plus the $10 park entrance fee. Make sure you use the new bear wire near the toilets.

The downside at grand lake were the annoying deer. They will try to steal anything they can. I even saw one munch on a hat it stole from a campsite (for the salt'). They worst part was being startled by a deer that tried to eat me as I slept in my bivy sack! After yelling at it a second time it decided I was not edible.

The second day we hiked to Gladys Lake. A small lake with only four camp sites. No deer and not much of a mosquito problem. There is still a fair amount of snow as you ascend toward the pass or other ridges but probably will be gone in three weeks. You can still travel within a 1/4 mile of the pass without going into significant amounts of snow.

On the way back from Grand pass we saw a coyote trotting into the forest. Many marmots on this hike, some bigger than small dogs. The clouds came in the late afternoon and the temperature dropped to about 45 with wind chill.

We hiked out Sunday morning in blue skies. As we made our way up the switch backs the clouds started coming in from the ridge and blew cool air on us. Once we got to the top of the ridge the clouds had lifted above us but were also snaking down in the valley. The ridge hike was pleasant but nippy and the winds eventually abated.

Hiking time out from Gladys lake was 3 hr 55 min. including many stops along the way for photos, trail mix and oxygen along the switch backs.

KAR and I set out Friday at 1:00 PM from Deer Park to try a loop I have wanted to do for years. In great weather, we descended to Three Forks on an easy, well-maintained trail through the woods. Didn't see anybody as we passed the shelter but there were some bags and tents spread out - maybe the trail crew working on the Gray Wolf' The trail along Cameron Creek was peaceful and refreshing, passing through sizable firs, forest flowers, and moss gardens pretty in the filtered sun of the afternoon. The two crossings were no problem, though these footlogs won't last many more seasons, I think. Shortly after the second one, about 4 miles up from three forks, we camped at a good site between the trail and the creek - almost no bugs! The second day started out well, and as we ascended gradually, lupine, tiger lilly and tens of other flowers appeared. The old Lower Cameron shelter looks like it was kaput years ago. At the junction with the Cameron Pass Trail, things began to change. Apparently the trail crews had made it to here (Thanks!). As we continued up Cameron Creek, we encountered steadily worse windfall and avalanche fall. Where the trail descends right to the creek, maybe half a mile beyond the aforementioned junction, we hit the bad stuff - two stretches of major avalanche damage - trees knocked down a steep slope over the trail and right into the creek. We went up maybe 150 feet to a lesser slope and scratched and bruised our weary way across. Many of these trees are yews, and I don't know how fast they grow, but could well be about 25-30 years old Hmmmm! Wonder if this area hasn't been worked over by the snow since '72' There were some bigger firs mixed in with the debris. Somehow this avalanche zone seemed brushier and scratchier and just plain nastier than those we had seen earlier in the year near Mildred Lakes, North Fk Skokomish and Lake of the Angels. We had met a young feller coming down who warned us, but at least we knew he got through! He had come over Lost Pass from the Dose. After we finally got through to the first creek crossing above this mess, things eased up, and we met another couple coming down from Lost/Cameron Passes, so we had our turn at warning them. Throughout Saturday the weather got windier and showery as we ascended into gorgeous Cameron Basin. Here we camped at Upper Cameron, and dried out, giving up on our plans for Cameron Pass and Three Sons Camp due to time and weather. After a night of on/off rain and wind, we headed back through the beautiful alpine flower garden of Cameron Basin, had a better time negotiating the mess along the creek, and reached the junction. Headed up to Grand Pass - trail in great shape (Thanks again, crews!), and another fine and different array of flowers. Grand pass was a wild, desolate scene as the wind howled and the clouds flew past and over our heads. We didn't tarry, but descended quickly to a great campsite at Gladys Lake, where we dried out again. On Monday we again experienced abundance and variety in flowers as we headed past Moose and Grand Lakes on easy trail. Turned off at the Lillian Ridge/Obstruction Point junction instead of heading into Badger Valley, having heard from a couple hikers at Grand Pass that the latter is also plagued by avalanche debris, and we weren't ready for another bout with that yet. Instead, we ascended into the breezy clouds on Lillian Ridge, and saw tundra flowers with icicles clinging to the stems! We hurried through here, and emerged at Obstruction point parking lot in great shape. On the grand ridge trail there's one steep snow patch to negotiate (we went around it below) about .3 miles up the trail, then perfect trail all the way back to Deer Park. The weather was blustery but mostly sunny all the way back, and with the wind behind us, we made good time. Couldn't see anything back towards Olympus due to the cloud cover, but the views of Mount Deception, Clark, Walkinshaw, Needles, Sundial, etc. were spectacular. And yet another varied flower fest all the way back to Deer Park. Deer Park road seems in good shape this year. Maybe KAR will send in a report with the flower list, but it might swamp this file server - must be hundreds of varieties logged. A great trip, hope to do it again after the sawyers have had at those yew trees on the Cameron!

An absolutely
beautiful trip as described by others. The bridge washout detour isn't too difficult, but tricky squeezing through the trees with a big pack on. We hiked in Lillian Ridge, spent one night at Grand Lake and hiked out Badger Valley the next day. There was frost on the ground in the morning. The ranger who was leaving for the season the next day, said that is more than likely the end of the season soon. Once it snows at the trailhead ( which is about 3000 feet higher than the valley) people are in danger of getting stuck there. Grand Pass is another option in though I believe.

Beautiful
weather and early campsite reservations (through the WIC) made this an excellent three-day hike, despite the Labor Day weekend throngs. The trailhead is at Observation Peak, 8.5 miles down a sometimes harrowing dirt road from Hurricane Ridge. We had a reservation to stay at Moose Lake for two nights, so we set off down Lillian Ridge in the mid-afternoon sunshine. The trail goes across the rocky ridge top, with sweeping views of Mt. Olympus, river valleys, and all the ranges in between. The trail then turns to the east and begins a steep descent of switchbacks into the Grand Valley with tempting views of Grand Lake to lure you along. The trail flattens out at a junction just above Grand Lake, with a trail that leads down to the lake and on into Badger Valley. We continued on the Grand Valley trail to Moose Lake and found a primo campsite (#9) overlooking the north end of the lake, surrounded by the jagged ridgetops, and backed by a small creek from which we could conveniently pump water. The next day we proceeded to Grand Pass as a day hike. If you go to Grand Valley and have good weather, don't miss out on the hike up to the pass, and Grand View Peak. A reasonably well-maintained trail leads past Gladys Lake and up the end of the valley to 360 degree views from Mt. Baker to Whidbey Island and the Sound, across the valley to Cameron Pass and Mt. Rainier and Adams, to Mt. Olympus with the ocean behind, and north with the mountains of Vancouver Island just poking up behind the ridge. We sat and ate lunch, soaking in the views and watching the hawks and falcons play in the thermals rising out of the valley floors. When we got back to camp that afternoon, we took an ice-cold dip in Moose Lake--and I mean COLD--not really recommended unless you're truly hot. The final day in the valley we headed down past Grand Lake into the Badger Valley and back up to the trailhead in a loop trip. The descent into Badger Valley adds about 1000 ft of elevation gain on the way out, but we figured it was worth it to make a loop trip out of it. This hike can be done as a day hike, but don't. Take it from someone who went to Grand Lake as a day hike a couple of years ago--it will break your heart to leave so soon. Some other quick notes: there are several active bears in the valley who aren't into people food yet, and they don't want them to find out what they're missing, so plan on using the provided bear wires (with pulley system); we saw a ton of deer, does, fawns and bucks, which apparently like sweaty clothing, so don't leave any sitting out unattended; and enjoy the marmots--there's a huge field of them just west of Moose Lake.