Arrived at the trailhead around 9:45am. Enough parking for 4 cars, or 6 for those that are parking inclined. No one to contend with for parking, and had the entire trail to self for the entirety - until I returned to my car and saw someone idling in theirs next to mine! Total mileage was 10.65 miles; including the fact that I stopped ~0.25 miles from the washout area/trail-end (mistakenly thought trail was over), and also opted for Cat Creek Loop trail on my out-hike.
This is a fantastic trail that takes you through three completely unique environments. Starting with mostly wooded from the trailhead, making way to a lush, wet, shrub-rich forest, and finally opening up to a river-side jaunt alongside Gray Wolf River. I chose this hike for its low elevation gain - opting for distance - but still did a tolerable amount of climbing. There are plenty of spaces for a riverside lunch/rest. Cat Creek Loop on the way back offers more rain-forest type of hiking, but is definitely less trafficked.
Only one hiking pole necessary for this hike - and even then I rarely used it. No snow on the trail.
Road was wet but not icy. Some mild potholes and ruts but should be passable for most vehicles. I followed Google Maps. Average temp varied from mid 30s to low 40s.
On river crossings: while reviewing other trips, I saw mentions of river crossings and potentially getting wet. Throughout the entire hike I did not once come to a situation I would define as a "river crossing" - perhaps more of a "water step". Once you reach Gray Wolf River there is a definite river crossing to get to a sand bar, but that would be entirely optional. The entire hike can be done without needing to step in more than a quarter-inch of water.
This hike was the second of three hikes during my trip to the Olympic NF/NP. Read more about the other hikes: Deadfall/Mt.Zion and Spruce Railroad Trail.
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