Gold Creek

This area receives less than 20 inches of rain a year in the rainshadow, so the trail dries out fast at the end of winter. By late March, it is usually snow-free, making this a nice early season hike when other places are snowed or soaked in. The trail starts unmarked at the Lower Dungeness Trailhead.

At the small lot's back-left side, look for a yellow gate with a white "Road Closed" sign. Go past the gate onto a well-groomed, nice wide trail. From here, for the next 7.0 miles, you will be in earshot of the river. After a half-mile on the old logging road, come to an old concrete bridge spanning the river below.

The bridge makes a convenient way to cross the river for horses, bikers, and hikers. After the bridge comes to a junction, where you go right. A left would take you down the Gold Creek extension trail, which is very unmaintained and has lots of washouts and landslides, and not very enjoyable. Instead, go right and hike a true trail rather than an old road.

The trail then comes to nice campsites next to Gold Creek. The whole camp has room for plenty of tents and reportedly there is a historic shelter nearby in the area. Cross Gold Creek on a trusty log bridge and make your way uphill as the trail climbs fast above the ravine. Take plenty of breaks to catch your breath. After a mile, the grade eases a little.

After a little more than two miles, come to Sleepy Hollow Creek tucked up in a narrow, shaded ravine. Take a break rest for a few minutes for the trail will get steep. Cross the clear creek on another bridge and continue steeply uphill. About a mile past the creek, comes a junction with the Sleepy Hollow Trail. Head toward the Tubal Cain Mine trail.

From here you will be offered views for a few more miles. Peer down into the Dungeness Valley 1,000 feet below. Or look across the valley to the snow-capped Tyler Peak high above. In a few more miles comes the Tubal Cain Mine Trail. You can keep hiking to the mine to make a 19-mile roundtrip outing.