I write this trip report because there seems inconclusive information on the status of the trail.
There were reports of car vandalism at the gate to the Rayonier owned area. I decided that I did not want to take such a risk and parked the car at 101. There is a large parking lot right at the start of Mount Jupiter road.
I biked the first 6 miles / 3000 ft to the junction of the road to the radio tower. The gate at mile 3 is closed and there are lots of warnings about private property and ongoing logging operations. There was logging equipment but I did not see any logging operation in process.
I joined the hiking trail just 100 yards (at 3000 feet level) in from the junction to the radio tower. The trail there is newly constructed through a burn/logging area for about 1/4 miles. I pushed my bike past that area and stowed it away in the woods on public property. There was nobody else around anyway.
I took me 1 hour 45 minutes to bike to the junction starting at 7:45 AM. It is very steep and I needed a 30/50 set-up. It still pushed me to max heart rate.
I could not see the hiking trail coming from below through the burn area. So I do not know the status of that lower trail. The Forest Service on their web site states that the trail is open (unlike the WTA web site). See comment below by rkjenner.
The hiking trail itself is in perfect condition. The growth at times does not reach higher than the knee and it is really no problem. I reached the peak at 12:15 PM in four and half hours.
On the way down, on my bike, I saw some people working next to a truck (in the private area). They waved, greeted and were friendly.
I do not understand how the arrangement with Rayonier works. The trail is not accessible other than through the Rayonier private area. They distinctly forbid using it without permission. On their web site they say they grant permission if you buy a $300 hunting license. I certainly would not pay that money and I did not call to ask for a permission.
My assumption is that there is no problem, especially if you go on the weekend when no logging is in process. Otherwise you just need to be lucky.
I do not know about the vigilante that took it upon itself to flatten tires. I think the best bet is to just bike up form 101. But it requires quite some effort.
Comments
rkjenner on Mount Jupiter
Bravo for making it to the summit and thanks for posting your report. According to the US Forest Service, the trail and area are open to hikers. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=48063
I’ve parked at the gate before and had no problems (not that that’s a guarantee of the future)
Posted by:
rkjenner on Oct 10, 2024 09:31 PM
GwenT on Mount Jupiter
Owners of private property have every right to prohibit the general public from passing through. Should anything happen to a person whilst on their property, they could be held liable. I expect that when one applies for a permit and pays the $300 access fee, they also fill out an application that relieves the property owner from any liability. There are quite a few trails that cross private property in the greater Washington area. In some cases, the public land manager has an easement that allows the general public to cross that property, in others, it's just been a long standing courtesy. More and more I'm seeing the owners of these private inholdings rescind any agreement to access. I suppose the land manager could pursue obtaining an easement, but that takes time, personnel, and money, and none of our agencies have any of those available to them. Long story short (too late): travel at your own risk.
Posted by:
GwenT on Oct 11, 2024 10:33 AM
jhalbt on Mount Jupiter
The trail is in good shape thanks to some locals who work on it periodically carrying pickaxes, saws and pruners up from the closed gate.
Posted by:
jhalbt on Oct 13, 2024 08:40 AM
RichP on Mount Jupiter
The Rayonier site currently says the trail is "open for walking without a permit." Thanks for your report.
Posted by:
RichP on Jun 09, 2025 06:00 AM