Mount Townsend — Jun. 7, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

2 photos

15

14 people found this report helpful

A few small snow patches but they are very short and easy to cross. Amazing views from the top from with nearby Olympic peaks: Mt. Mystery, Buckhorn Peak, Mt. Constance, the Brothers, and all 5 volcanoes! Everyone that we passed was so friendly and it was a great day in the mountains.

If you decide to camp at or near the summit, make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles by camping on durable (dirt) surfaces. I saw someone camping on a patch of wildflowers which was disappointing. In general, I only saw a few good dirt campsites at the top so may be better to stay at Camp Windy and hike up for sunrise or sunset. Additionally, the main parking lot is pretty small and the road is narrow as it comes into the parking lot. If you see cars parked along the road it may be better to snag a spot along the road rather than trying to turn around in the small space.

Mount Townsend — Jun. 7, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

4 photos

erynnah

WTA Member

Outstanding Trip Reporter

25

Wildflowers blooming
Hiked with kids

32 people found this report helpful

Truly stunning walk. The views, the subalpine meadows, and the well maintained trail are all very good reasons it's so popular.

Durable surface (rock, gravel, snow, established dirt) campsites up top are extremely limited. Highly recommend camping lower like at Camp Windy, or doing this as a day hike. More on that below. We were camped on snow at Camp Windy, and our kid LOVED it.

Phlox, paintbrush, and the like are blooming. Rhododendron blooms are just getting started along the trail, but many along the road up are peaking.

The trail is nearly snow free, just some lingering patches near Camp Windy. At the switchback, the lingering snow hides the turn. A few sunrise seekers stumbled through camp in the middle of the night. Totally would make the same wrong turn. In this case, on the way up, the trail veers right. Camp is left.

Other than a fallen tree to duck under, and a seriously braided trail network in some places up top, what a fine trail. My son (8) had no problems. It was his first backpacking trip of the year. The trail is graded really nicely without many big slab steps. Recipe for a great kid hike.

We pitched our tent and ate dinner at Camp Windy, and then hiked the rest of the way up for sunset. For sunrise, I headed up yet again for few more trail miles, and a hazy but beautiful view. Even through the haze, Baker, Glacier Peak, Rainier, Adams, and even a hint of St. Helens were visible. We camped on snow but there are several sites that have melted out too. Lake still has some ice on it, but plenty of water.

Another word about campsites up top - from what we saw, there aren't very many established / low impact options up there at all. Snow is mostly gone. Maybe a few patches of what could be construed as already established dirt, but not enough to accommodate the crowds of campers. It does not look easy to LNT camp up there. Earlier in the season on snow, perhaps it's more doable. Saturday night we saw over a half dozen groups camped directly on the meadow plants. I get the temptation. It's work to get up there, and having to turn around is not fun. Especially when you see other people already camping on it.

This weekend was probably approaching peak use. We've got to give those meadows a chance. We get to choose not to live in these harsh environments, but these plants and creatures need our kindness and respect when visiting their homes.

More sustainable choices might include camping lower at Camp Windy, or doing this as a dayhike. Even as a sunrise or sunset hike. We talked to several groups doing just that. Awesome.

On our way out Sunday, cars were parked way down the road at every spot wide enough to fit a car. I guess our midafternoon arrival Saturday got us a spot in the upper lot, but this weekend there was clearly far more use than the lot could accommodate. Lower trailhead might be an option to help ensure access for emergencies. Plus, it goes through old growth forest, which is cool.

It had been a bit since I'd been up that trail, and I might relegate this one to that rare weekday opportunity, but I will want to hike it again.

And only one mosquito bite! Either they aren't out in full force yet (likely) or I'm losing my allure.

Mount Townsend — Jun. 6, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

3 photos

Jim Sc

WTA Member

25

Beware of: road conditions

Wildflowers blooming

7 people found this report helpful

Had a real nice hike starting from the Little Quilcene Trail head. The trail is in very good shape. Very few patches of snow that I expect will be gone in a few days.

Mount Townsend — May. 30, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

4 photos

brianznovak

5

Beware of: trail conditions

23 people found this report helpful

road in is long but mostly paved and well maintained. there’s room for about 15 cars at the upper trailhead. 6:45am start with one other car in the lot. passed one person on my way up and was rewarded with beautiful views of rainier, baker, adams, and st. helens in the distance. trail is mostly clear with a few downed trees and snow patches, but nothing serious. passed 25 people on the way down and finished at 10:45am. parking was full and people were beginning to use the road. great hike

Mount Townsend — May. 27, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

TruePauw

Beware of: road conditions

1 person found this report helpful

We took the little Quilcene approach on the north side. Lots of large potholes on the road. Trail with excellent tread, but still several short areas of snow to cross. Early wildflowers were lovely, will get better as spring progresses. Terrific views on the way up as well as the top.