Mount Townsend — Saturday, Jul. 1, 2000

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

The directions to the trailhead in Spring/Manning are quite clear, except for the fact that I don't remember them saying anything about a ""lower"" trailhead. Needless to say, if you park at the lower trailhead, you will walk and extra 2.4 miles and gain another 600 ft, just to get the the end of the road. Stay on the mostly paved road until you see the sign clearly marked for Mt. Towsend Trail. Drive to the end for the upper trailhead. On this cloudy and rainy weekend, however, this extra section of the trail was the best part. It passes a small lake and a shelter at a tiny creek, all the while through lush, apparently unprotected old growth forest. The trail is in excellent shape, wide and clean, no snow except for some last minute patches, rain was constant and cold, however, and no views today. R/T 10.4 miles, 6.5 hours for short legs (from lower trailhead). Parking enforcement was not evidenced today, despite the presence of rangers (new permits in the box upon descent). A picture in the Quilcene Ranger Station shows depression area loggers in front of a clearcut, it has the caption ""Behold! The New Forest"". Unfortunately that was an accurate description for much of the ONF around the area. Got some fresh oysters on the way out at a seafood market on Hiway 101, excellent!