Marmot Pass — Friday, May. 20, 2016

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Headed up Upper Big Quilcene to Marmot Pass for an overnight on 5/20/16, camped on snow in the trees just before Marmot Pass. Upper Big Quil Trail had some very large trees down in the first 2 miles, but WTA work crew was here as we were leaving on 5/21, so these large trees are no longer an issue. Thank you WTA! There are a few small diameter trees down just before before Camp Mystery but they are easy to negotiate. Overall this trail is in phenomenal shape. Intermittent snow starts in the last avalanche chute before Camp Mystery. Camp Mystery is 70% snow covered. The trail from Camp Mystery to the meadow before switchbacks is under snow or flooded with water (there's a lot of water, so nice compared to last year!). Camp Mystery to the Pass could be confusing if you don't know the way. We had a good bootpack to follow. Sections of hollow snow are breaking near the moving water and warming rocks so be alert. Camp Mystery vicinity is just really very wet, so bring gaiters, extra dry socks or line your boots with plastic- whatever you do to keep your feet dry. :) The switchbacks up to Marmot Pass bowl are majority snow covered. The boot pack is pretty easy to follow, but it is getting packed down and slick in places. We carried traction but felt comfortable without it. We did use our ice axe (me) or trekking poles (partner). Sections of the bowl below the pass, the pass itself and ridges off the pass have melted out. On Saturday morning we had light snow from Marmot Pass to Camp Mystery. I hope this report is helpful to you. Have fun. Please leave no trace and please no fires in the stove-only zone.