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Duckabush River — Jan. 8, 2025

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
4 photos
Eric Katanaboy
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
200
  • Hiked with a dog

14 people found this report helpful

 

We reached the trailhead a bit after 9, and were the first there.  We had blue skies most of the day.  The trail was in good shape for the first 3.5 miles, and then we encountered 14 logs on the trail for the next 1.5 miles to 5 Mile Camp.  None presented a serious obstacle.  We cleared some smaller blowdowns as we moved up the trail.

We encountered no snow.  Side streams crossing the trail were running strong, but we were able to rock-hop them all. 

5 Mile Camp was in good shape, with nobody camped there.  I packed out one shovel that someone had left behind.

Duckabush River — Dec. 15, 2024

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
4 photos
Nutmeg
Outstanding Trip Reporter
200
Beware of: trail conditions

4 people found this report helpful

 

There is a very short section of scant snow before Claire's Rock, which is at about 5 1/2 miles in where a narrow canyon empties into an ethereal, teal pool just below a rocky prominence. It was quite icy there today. Lots of water on the trail after recent rains, including two drainages to cross in the flat section as you come off Little Hump that are normally dry. The draw between the two camps at River Camp (around 2 mi.) was dry. As I hiked the first set of switchbacks, the waterfall was raging that flows down from Snack Rock, the lookout rock at the top of those switchbacks!

I'm posting this mostly as an update for future maintenance. The drainage work just before River Camp is holding up fabulously! There are 23 logs that need to be cut or cleared. The first is shortly above Snack Rock and the last is below Triangle Rock above 5 Mile Camp. All but a handful are on the far side of Lunch Rock. The trail is clear from just above 5 Mile Camp to Claire's Rock, where I turned around.

Duckabush River — Nov. 28, 2024

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
2 photos
AviR
100
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Hiked with a dog

6 people found this report helpful

 

Short version: road to the TH is fine, trail is clear of snow out to 5-mile, minor obstructions start near the top of Big Hump.

Long version: heavy fog along the Hood Canal on my way to the TH, but it didn't stretch very far inland so (relatively) clear skies awaited my arrival at 9:30ish. The road has the usual potholes and minor debris you should expect this time of year, but should be totally passable for everyone. One car in the lot, another arriving at the same time, but I set out first and didn't see them again. Toilet is open and stocked with TP.
The trail is in great shape for the most part; again, some minor debris as is standard this time of year plus a few waterlogged sections, but no big blowdowns until you near the top of Big Hump and even then, it's nothing too major. A couple trees to duck under or step over and one more formidable log to swing over one leg at a time. Patches of snow start near the top of the Hump, but the trail itself is clear. From a dog's perspective: enough snow to chomp on, but not enough for a good roll. We went as far as 5-mile where we stopped for a hot lunch and a cup of coffee before heading back. Saw maybe 10 people all day, including one backpacker.

Duckabush River — Nov. 24, 2024

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
1 photo

2 people found this report helpful

 

Lots of stream crossings and a little snow near 5 mile camp!

Duckabush River — Nov. 18, 2024

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
2 photos
Eric Katanaboy
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
200
  • Fall foliage

8 people found this report helpful

 

The road in was in good shape.  We reached the trailhead at 8:30 and were the first car in the parking lot.  We hiked 4 miles in to the saddle by Big Hump, and the trail was in great shape the whole way.  There was one small log at Big Hump, which we cleared with a hand saw.  Had fine weather the whole day, with blue sky occasionally breaking through.

We encountered a few other hikers on our way out.