Duckabush River — Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2025

I hiked the Duckabush River trail to scout out a possible trip to Marmot Lake and LaCrosse basin later this summer. The trail was in good condition from the trailhead to the park boundary. There were three trees down before Big Hump and four down between Big Hump and five mile camp. All were easy to pass. Lots of flowers out - trillium, yellow violets, current, salmon berry, and surprisingly, avalanche lilies about 2/3 of the way up Big Hump. Trail conditions deteriorated about 1/2 mile past the park boundary. I lost count of the number of down trees between the boundary to 10 mile camp. Most were not too difficult to pass but the sheer number slowed my progress. It took 2.5 hours to go the three miles to 10 mile camp. Many parts of the trail in the park were overgrown with saplings and bushes/brush and the path was indistinct. The way will get difficult in the next few weeks as the vegetation leafs out. There were several tricky creek crossings mainly due to very slippery, unstable stepping stones. There is an old bear wire at 10 mile camp but one side is down. You might be able to hang on the side that is still up but if a bear wanted to climb the tree, it could probably get the food. There was also the remnants of an old privy that took a direct hit from a fallen tree. I had hoped to make it to the junction with the LaCrosse Pass trail and Upper Duckabush but was unable. The trail is impassible approximately half way between 10 mile camp and crazy creek camp. There are several very large trees across the trail on a steep side slope. The first tree as numerous large branches sticking out in all directions. The second tree immediately behind the first is huge. If you could get to it, it is too large to climb over and there is not enough room to go under. The slope is too steep to climb up and around it. I looks like I will have to make my trip via the Skokomish. I met a WTA trail crew working their way up Big Hump as I came out. Thanks for all their work!