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Fletcher Canyon — Oct. 28, 2017

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
rfadam
WTA Member
75
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Fall foliage
  • Hiked with a dog
 

I've written a review on my blog, see link below.

Fletcher Canyon — Sep. 2, 2017

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Beware of: trail conditions
 

Stop at Ranger station in Quinault for trail map. Follow the direction to the trail head, small sign on the right pointing the way would be easy to miss so watch your mile markers.

Beautiful hike, but not for the inexperienced hiker.  This is not a "maintained" trail.  Rocky, rooty and several downed HUGE trees on trail.  Climbing over or under (not stepping or hopping, actual climbing involved!) will enable you to continue. A few washouts make the trail narrow in spots and overgrowth make the trail difficult to follow occasionally. At the canyon ( about 2 miles in) the trail goes along the top of a downed tree over a creek/river.  We crossed the log the headed up to the waterfall, swam in VERY cold water, had lunch and returned the way we came. It is a challenging, keep your eyes on the trail kind of adventure that we enjoy.

Gorgeous day, no crowds and we will be back!

Fletcher Canyon — Aug. 29, 2017

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
4 photos
Larry Leveen
WTA Member
5
Beware of: trail conditions

4 people found this report helpful

 

A short (but steep-ish) trail that is well worth it. Even in the height of a dry summer, you can really tell you're in a rainforest that get a ton of precipitation. It is decidedly lusher here than, say, at nearby Pete's Creek (as the bird flies). There are a bunch of trees down that you either have to scramble over or under, but it's all just part of the fun.

Right as you are approaching the falls area, the trail seems to split left and right. GO RIGHT through a very obviously brushed section of (I think) salmon berry. The trail to the left peters out into nothingness.

The campsite across the cedar looked simply IDEAL and I was disappointed we weren't staying there! Scramble up towards the falls -- at the very least to the lower edge of the main pool. Right purty place!

Highly recommend this hike -- and the ice cream at the store back south along the access road. Plus, don't forget to visit some of those humungous trees noted on the maps (1,000 year-old spruce!).

Fletcher Canyon — Apr. 15, 2017

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
4 photos
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Wildflowers blooming

5 people found this report helpful

 
Warm dry Easter Saturday. Met two other people on the trail. Running water on the trail for the first 0.25 miles. Fairly muddy for much of the rest, and lots of downed trees requiring creative scrambling. Work parties will help. Went up for about an hour to the cascade, probably around 2 miles, but didn't make to the footbridge (supposed?). Kids decided that was far enough so we made that our snack stop and turnaround. Only about 40 minutes back down. Air was warm, cascades lovely, mossy trees spectacular, canyon views pretty, trilliums out; would do this again and go higher when the kids are less whiny. They were actually great on the way down :) My daughter says this trail is good for ages 9+.

Fletcher Canyon — Feb. 5, 2017

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
4 photos
Beware of: trail conditions

5 people found this report helpful

 
We didn't see a single other soul from the time we parked at the Colonel Bob Trail Head until the time we made it back to the car. The trail was a mass of rocks and roots, in places the trails were streams and giant fallen trees required effort of contortionist proportions. What else can you expect from " The Valley Of Rain Forest Giants"? With an average of 12 feet of rain a year here, the ground was sodden and all the surfaces were coated in moss with giant feathers. But just being in the rainforest with all the beautiful giants, one feels so small and grounded next to these towering beauties. Totally another ecosystem all its own, would highly recommend this hike, it's quiet, quite difficult and will put you in the earth element until you're full to the brim with green.