A very quiet trail in the northern foothills of the Olympics.
We didn't run into a single other hiker for our 5 hours on the trail, and I can't think of the last time that happened on a day hike, even though it was a week day. First off, the road: paved the entire way, only about 5 minutes from US 101, and incredibly easy to locate the trailhead (just follow the road until it ends). The trail is well marked, but definitely shows signs of being less traveled, as the sallal undergrowth will be thrashing around your legs for most of the way, but is not too much of an annoyance and there were no problems with locating the trail. The way up to the lookout at Kloshe Nanitch is a steady, long climb, but never insanely steep, although it does feel long, as there aren't much views for the first 2/3 of the way. Closer to the top, there were about three different rock outcrops that provided some views, the last having great views of Mt. Olympus. After around 3 miles you'll reach the sign that marks the junction between the Kloshe Nanitch Trail and the North Point Trail, and from there just go left for the last half mile to the top. The lookout has amazing views, up and down the Sol Duc Valley and across the northern Olympics, with Mt. Olympus being especially impressive.
You can simply turn and around and return to the trailhead from here, however if you want a slightly longer and slightly different return route continue up the road that goes from the valley up to Kloshe Nanitch (it's a right, facing the road), where you can follow the road a half mile up a gentle uphill to the top of North Point, another old lookout site, where there is still a small building on the summit, and a summit benchmark beside it. There are good views here as well down into the valley, but not as good as Kloshe Nanitch. From here, backtrack down the road a couple hundred feet, where you'll see a trail descending off the side of the road to your left. You can take this trail (which does get pretty brushy for about 50 feet) down to a junction with the trail to Mt. Muller, where you take a right and traverse the mountainside, passing above a couple pretty large cliffs, before meeting up with the junction you passed on the way to Kloshe Nanitch. It adds another mile or so to the hike, but is worth it in my opinion.
All in all, if you're looking for a hike with some great solitude and great views, I recommend you try this one out.
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