Six Ridge

This challenging trail takes visitors through lowland forests up to subalpine meadow and forest on a primitive trail in Olympic National Park.

The trail can be difficult to follow, particularly in early season before trail crews like WTA have come in to clear damage from winter storms, but in the late summer, it's a gorgeous backpacking route through breathtaking backcountry.

The Six Ridge Trail is a rugged route that traverses the South Fork to the North Fork of the Skokomish River. It is known for its solitude, meadows and grand mountain vistas. Hikers begin with a trek up the South Fork Skokomish River Trail to Sundown Pass and Lake. The Six Ridge Trail runs east along the crest for 11 miles before dropping down and terminating at the North Fork Skokomish River. It is then about six miles downriver to the Staircase Ranger Station.

Six Ridge

Map & Directions

Getting There

From Highway 101 turn west onto Skokomish Valley Road, 6 miles north of Shelton or 7 miles south of Hoodsport(at the Fish Hatchery). Drive about 5.6 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 23. Turn right and uphill onto FR 23. The road is paved except for a small section of gravel; stay on the main route until you arrive at a fork in the road after another 9.4 miles (15.0 from the US 101). Turn left, uphill, signed for Spider Lake and Skokomish Trail. (The right turn, onto FSR 2353, is also signed for Skokomish Trail as well as Brown Creek C.G. Do NOT turn right.)

Proceed on the the now-gravel FSR 23 for another 4.4 miles (19.4 from US 101) to another Y. Turn right onto FSR 2361 (signed but only after a gate and not visible from the Y). Proceed another 5.0 miles (24.5 from US 101)to the end of 2361 - that is where the Upper Skokomish trailhead is located.