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Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Duckabush River
Explore one of the quieter Olympic Peninsula river valleys. Quiet, that is, if you don't count the Duckabush River's constant belching, crashing, and churning as it tumbles over giant boulders and squeezes through narrow rocky clefts.
Duckabush River Trail No. 803 travels over 20 miles into the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, but a trip of 3, 4, or 5 miles up this good path will certainly deliver plenty of scenery, solitude, and perhaps a chance to spot bear or elk. The trail begins on an old roadbed through uniform second-growth fir. After 1 mile of gentle climbing, the trail enters The Brothers Wilderness Area. Drop 200 feet, and then follow an old logging railroad grade, cutting through a mossy wonderland on an almost perfectly flat path. A few remnant old firs greet you along the way. Finally, in about 2 miles, the river comes into view. A half mile farther delivers you to an absolutely gorgeous spot where emerald giant cedars and firs hang over rows of chugging white water. This mesmerizing spot is a good place to turn around if you don't feel inclined to make the 1000-foot climb up the Big Hump. For hikers hankering to hike the Hump, the trail twists and turns using tight switchbacks to ascend this valley obstacle. Thanks to a southern exposure, madrona and manzanita can be found scattered beneath the fir and hemlock. At about 3.5 miles, emerge onto a ledge with a spectacular view east down the river and out to the Cascades. To the south, impressive St. Peters Dome hovers over the Hump. More spectacular than the view, however, is the spring floral show. Come here in April for batches of fawn lilies lining the ledges. In May, the rhodies flaunt their blossoms. Feel like continuing? Encounter one more outcropping before cresting the Hump. Then, through impressive old growth, the way descends a much cooler north slope. In about 5.3 miles and after dropping 650 feet, the trail once again reaches the river level. Here, at a well-worn camping area near a series of impressive rapids, is a great spot to call it quits. Enjoy the view. Watch for darting dippers. Be sure to rest up, for you'll need to head over the Hump one more time before going home.
Driving Directions:
From Shelton drive north on US 101 for 37 miles. (From Quilcene drive US 101 south for 15 miles.) At milepost 310 turn left (west) onto Duckabush Road (signed "Duckabush Recreation Area"). Drive 6 miles (the pavement ends at 3.6 miles and you'll pass Collins Campground at 5 miles). Pass the horse unloading area and turn right onto Forest Road 2510-060 to reach the trailhead. Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Duckabush River
— Dec 03, 2011
— Barking Sasquatch
Day hike
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Unfortunately, the trail was closed, so we had to alter our plans. Check with the Olympic National F...
Unfortunately, the trail was closed, so we had to alter our plans. Check with the Olympic National Forest Hood Canal Ranger station regarding status.
Day hike
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After our spectacular Saturday was quite surprised to wake up to overcast and mist this AM; however,...
After our spectacular Saturday was quite surprised to wake up to overcast and mist this AM; however, still looking forward to heading up the Duckabush!
We arrived at the trailhead about 7:30A and took off shortly thereafter. There were a few cars in the parking lot; however, must have been overnighters as we were the first to sign the register for the day. The trail was lush and green, the tread very nice after the last few weeks of being on almost nothing but rocks. Elevation gain was very gentle while we went over the first “hump” and did lose some elevation shortly after the hump and then the trail continued its very gentle grade while we passed through everything covered in moss. Although not the sunny day we expected, the temperatures were wonderful, short sleeves definitely in order and the occasional mist just kept everything glistening. We eventually met up with the river again and like so many creeks/rivers this year, it was raging, absolutely stunning! We continued on as we wanted to get to 5 mile camp and the grade started getting steeper and eventually arrived at an opening that I suppose is a viewpoint, but this was not going to be our day for views so up (UP being the operative word here) we continued through several switchbacks until finally we reached the top of the “big hump” and then back down again until the river is reached. Shortly after arriving at the river, we reached a large campground next to the river, 5 tents were counted. Looked wonderful; however, we had heard there was another campground a little further up the trail. We continued about another ¼ mi and found another campground; a couple of the campsites here were quite large with nice stone fire rings, benches, stools around the campfire fashioned out of miscellaneous pieces of wood, no one around at this 2nd campground! Unsure if both or one of these was the 5 mile camp, but felt we had reached out destination so took a break with our lunch. Was surprised, not too many people, perhaps it was the change in the weather, but only met one couple and a single person as we were heading in; going out we did pass 4-5 small groups heading in, most were planning on spending the night at 5 mile, but a couple parties were planning to try and getting to 17 mi, but heard snow was keeping people from getting any further. Not too many wildflowers remaining, almost no bugs, comfortable temperatures; was a wonderful day. Look forward to coming back and checking out the views!
West Fork Dosewallips River, LaCrosse Pass, Duckabush River
— Jul 30, 2011
— OlyHiker
Multi-night backpack
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Snow on trail
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Hiked up West Fork Dosewallips to Honeymoon Meadows, over LaCrosse Pass, and back out Duckabush Rive...
Hiked up West Fork Dosewallips to Honeymoon Meadows, over LaCrosse Pass, and back out Duckabush River to trail head (7/30-8/2/11). Trail up Dose to Honeymoon Meadows was clear of snow and blowdown. Trail crew had just been through. Great hike and campsites along the way are very nice. To get from the Honeymoon Meadows campsite to the actual meadows one must cross the Dose River, and there is no longer a foot bridge (don't know how long it has been gone.) So plan on fording the river on foot, which with all this snow is running fast, high and cold! Be careful. To avoid having to ford the river 3 times to get to the LaCrosse Pass trail, we bushwhacked about 2/10ths of a mile SW of the site of where the ranger station used to be, and came out about 1/2 mile up the LaCrosse Pass trail thus avoiding the multiple river fording. We hit solid snow on the LaCrosse Pass trail at about 4,700', and from there to the pass route-finding was difficult. Also, there are a few steep snowfields to traverse just north of the pass, so I would recommend an ice axe and crampons...once you start sliding with a full pack you are in bad shape. Once over the pass on the Duckabush side the snow level was about 5,000'. It was hard picking up the trail again, but once we did it stayed snow-free. From the junction with the Duckabush trail we hiked west to 10-mile Camp, another great campsite. That was a 12 mile day plus all the elevation and route-finding, so we were pretty tired. Then we hiked out to the Duckabush Trailhead the final (4th) day. There is a lot of blowdown on parts of the Duckabush trail that is within the Park boundaries. Have fun!
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 Duckabush River. Image by Benjamin Williams
2010, 2011
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