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Snider-Jackson Traverse

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
47.9377, -124.1654 Map & Directions
Length
12.5 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
796 feet
Highest Point
1,675 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate/Hard
  • Ridges/passes
  • Old growth
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Established campsites
  • Rivers

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

Formerly the Rugged Ridge Trail, the Snider-Jackson Trail is a primitive north to south traverse on the west side of Olympic National Park. Continue reading

Rating
2.60 out of 5

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Hiking Snider-Jackson Traverse

A great one-way day hike, should you choose to do a car shuttle, is to travel south on Rugged Ridge (North Snider-Jackson) Trail, to the Bogachiel and west to exit at the Bogachiel trailhead.

Snider and Jackson were former Forest Service guard stations back in the heyday of the Civilian Conservation Corps, before this place was a national park. At the junction of Indian Creek and the Bogachiel, directly west of where Rugged Ridge meets the Bogachiel, there was a four-building guard station, now lost to the meandering ways of the Bogachiel River. Heading west from there you can imagine the homesteads of early settlers, spaced up to a half-mile apart, with their gardens, smoke sheds and log homes. As you come to the end of the Bogachiel, you’ll cross over Morganroth Creek, which is near the homestead of Chris Morgenroth, an early District Ranger for the Forest Service, and responsible for many of the trails we know today. You’ll have to ford over the Calawha River, so it’s best to pick a time during lower flow. The trail is easy to follow as it rises up and over Indian Pass, then gently back down to the powerful Bogachiel River. Turning west at the junction, you’ll enjoy watching the Bogachiel twist and curve until eventually you climb away from the river to exit at the trailhead. Each one of these trails could be an out and back hike if you prefer not to shuttle cars.

Hike Description Written by
Rebecca Wanagel, WTA Community

Snider-Jackson Traverse

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 47.9377, -124.1654 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From Port Angeles, drive 55 miles west on Highway 101 to Sitkum-Sol Duc Road. Turn left onto Sitkum-Sol Duc Road and drive for 3.9 miles. Make a slight right at FR 2902 and continue for 1.6 miles, and continue straight for 5.9 miles. Make a slight right onto FR 2913 and drive almost to the end of the road, 2.3 miles. The trailhead is on the right.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

Rugged Ridge (#883)

Olympic National Park

Guidebooks & Maps

Green Trails Spruce Mountain No. 132

Buy the Green Trails Olympic Mountains East No. 168S map

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Snider-Jackson Traverse

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