Took the pup out to do some scouting for a beginners hiking group I run and found this trail to be in perfect condition for beginners! The road was nice and easy. I followed a combination of the directions on the WTA site as well as the Google Maps GPS directions.
This trail is beautifully constructed, easily walkable, the trail is a soft dirt path for the first 2.5 miles to Bark Shanty, after which it gets slightly more rocky/rooty and still not bad at all. The river is beautiful the entire way and the bridge construction is super solid. Slightly muddy in places but that didn't bother me in the slightest.
Here's my timetable:
1.65 miles to 1st bridge -- 35 minutes
2.4 miles to 2nd bridge -- 52 minutes
2.7 miles to Bark Shanty & bridge -- 58 minutes
5.05 miles to Camp Jolley (there IS a bridge here, so no fording necessary) -- 1hr 53 minutes -- rested for a few minutes
Back to TH -- 3hr 40 minutes
Comments
WonderSmash on Lower Big Quilcene River
Thanks for the detailed time recap for each section!
Posted by:
WonderSmash on May 21, 2017 08:47 PM
PCT Scratch on Lower Big Quilcene River
Did you find a set of Big Agnes Copper Spur Tent poles in an orange sack? They fell out of my pack. I went back today but couldn't find them.
Posted by:
PCT Scratch on May 22, 2017 06:38 PM
pollyjune on Lower Big Quilcene River
I didn't, sorry to hear that!
Posted by:
pollyjune on May 23, 2017 03:57 PM
JillianG on Lower Big Quilcene River
Any rhododendrons in bloom?
Posted by:
JillianG on May 23, 2017 03:51 PM
pollyjune on Lower Big Quilcene River
Not that I saw..
Posted by:
pollyjune on May 23, 2017 03:56 PM