Upper South Fork Skokomish River, Six Ridge & Staircase Rapids — Friday, Sep. 2, 2022

Over the Labor Day weekend, a friend and I hiked the Upper Fork Skokomish River Trail up to Sundown Pass, to Six Ridge Pass, up and down the six ridges, and finally exited via the Staircase Rapids trail. This trail was tough, tough, tough. From the trailhead start, the trail is pretty nice up to the upper Skokomish River crossing around 2.5 miles. We camped near the river our first night and were happy to see a trail crew camping nearby as well. No shortage of down trees up until the park boundary. We counted 43 to this point, some were tough, some took some time, but none were unpassable. Previous literature claims that the trail gets markedly worse after the National Park Boundary. We didn't notice this the trail seemed pretty good the rest of the way. While some parts were overgrown and thick, nothing was too bad provided you wear long pants, and preferably a long shirt as well. 

Sundown Pass has limited views, but felt great to get to the "top." The trail to Six Ridge Pass was up, up, up from there. Hanging out at the pass we took a nice lunch only to find a couple of hikers behind us. They walked past and we eventually saw them camped at the Belview campsite. We camped here also and there was no shortage of bugs. Spray the bug spray and get into the tent quickly. 

I was hoping that coming down from Six Ridge Pass the trail would level out and would be pleasurable. I was wrong. The trail ranges from 4400' to 3800' over and over again. Views were spectacular but you definitely earn them. Climb up up up, then down down down, up again. It worked us hard and some of the trails were pretty steep. Nothing that required all 4 limbs at once but got close a couple of times. We did lose the trail several times. Down trees make it easy to lose the trail, but with our GAIA app on our phones, we quickly found the trail. A true lifesaver. Sometimes the app is not exact, but as long as it gets you there within 10' of the trail. I'll take that any day. 

Coming down the switchbacks down into the staircase area the trail turned great. You can really tell the work the trail crews have done clearing and brushing this trail. It was great for us to finish on a nice and clean trail. After many, many tree climbs, this was a great way to end the hike. 

All in all, much tougher than we expected. Our average mile time was closer to 45 minutes. The weather was perfect, and we even saw a bear. Until next time Olympic National Park!