I spent Saturday exploring the Duckabush area of Olympic National Forest, not having been there in about 8 years. I began with the Duckabush River Trail #803, going to Big Hump and back. The weather was partly cloudy, with only peeks of St. Peter's Dome. The trail is a great forest walk, with almost constant sounds of the river and other small streams accompanying you. It begins with a fairly gentle climb over Little Hump, and enters The Brothers wilderness at one mile, then descends to the river, where it is level to almost the three mile mark. The climb to Big Hump is pleasantly strenuous, where I found myself among the clouds. Saw only one other party, and that was almost back at the trailhead. Next I went up the road to Murhut Falls trail #828. A fairly plain and somewhat brushy path climbs gently .8 mile to a view of a spectacular double falls. You can scramble down to the lower falls, then up to the upper falls, which have a cave behind them. Be careful on the slippery rocks! I then headed back up the road to the Ranger Hole and Interrorem trails. Another short one, the .8 mile Ranger Hole trail leads to the Duckabush River, and a rock perch over a boiling, surging waterfall. Interrorem is a .25 mile nature trail that has interpretive signs about early times on the Forest, as well as huge cedar stumps and vine maple arches over the trail. Total mileage was approximately 11.5 miles, and I would recommend the Duckabush as a great area for overcast days.

Started at Lake Cushamn Ranger station and hiked the north fork of the Skokomish river, very easy trail and nothing to note, a couple of minor stream crossings, a couple small blowdowns but nothing eventful, Camped at Nine Stream. Started early to get over the Staircase before the main heat of the day, a couple of blowdowns on the trail but nothing bad. There were two places we crossed snow bridges over creeks that will get bad in a week or so. (They held my 270lbs with pack) Crossed the top of first divide and descended into Home-Sweet-Home. The creek here was a little difficult to cross but no one fell in. The trail down to Upper Duckabush was in good shape. Next morning we did a day hike up the Duckabush there was one stream crossing we had to put on our sandals for, not difficult just wet. We continued up to Marmot Lake then up to Lake Lacrosse and Heart Lake. Both of these lakes are still 2/3 ice covered. There were four bear roaming the valley around Lacrosse, including a mother and two cubs. We made it back to upper Duckabush and camped again. From Upper Duckabush out there were two stream crossings that required sandals, these were both within 100 yards of camp and neither was a difficult crossing. There were quite a few blowdowns on the trail out though none of them were difficult to get over or under. A couple of small stream crossing but nothing bad. We camped at an unmarked spot on the map just before going over Big Hump. This morning we hiked over Big Hump and met our rides at the Duckabush trail head, a great 5 day 46 mile trip for our scouts.

This is a nice low elevation snow free hike on the east side of the Olympics. The trail starts on an easy wide path (old rail grade) through fairly boring 2nd growth forest. The top of Little Hump is reached at 1 mi. The trail drops a few hundred feet to the very flat 1 mi long interhump zone. 1/4 mile before Big Hump is the start of beautiful old growth forest. Fire scarred very old 5-8 foot Doug Fir dot the landscape. The trail soon starts climbing up switchbacks to the top of Big Hump. There are nice views down valley from a precipitous ledge 1/8 mile from the top of Big Hump. Beyond this point old growth stretches for miles. RT to view 7 mi and 1300 ft. Just a few mosquitos out. Trail in excellent condition.

Duckabush River Trail to Tenmile Camp Tired of hiking snow in June, I opted for a River Valley romp. Olympic was reporting a 3800' snow-line, so I headed for Duckabush. The trail was in excellent condition for 4 miles to Big Hump. After big hump the trail was in good condition to the National Park boundary, with 4 small trees over the trail and a few easily crossed creeks. From the park boundary to Tenmile camp the trail was in mostly fair condition, with numerous blowdowns over trail, two deep mudholes to detour around, several jump-or-splash creek crossings, and a huge tangle of trees and rock to get over just before Tenmile Camp. No show stoppers, but don't bring the kids. Tenmile Camp was in good shape. The bear wire and composting toilet were functioning. I encountered only eight others on the trail all day and had Tenmile camp to myself. No bears. I heard deer at the creek just beyond camp, and saw numerous field mice, one of which audaciously seranaded me with squeaks at 2:30am. He seemed to be begging for food. The river was running very fast, and I decided to turn back the next morning rather than attempt to ford to Duckabush Camp. When I got back on the road I passed a search and rescue party looking for a lost rafter on the river. Seems lots of folks don't realize how late the thaw is this year. (Directions: From Hoodsport 22mi. N on 101 to Duckabush Road, signed for the Duckabush Rec. Area., six miles - half paved half excellent gravel to the signed trail head. The trailhead toilet has been destroyed by vandals. Olympic NP wilderness permit box at trailhead. NW Forrest Pass required. You can get a bear canister at the Hoodsport RS for a $3 donation.)

This was my first time on the Duckabush and I have to say Woo! I hiked from the trailhead to about 4.5 miles in, still 2 miles from Park boundary. Views from Big Hump were great with St Peter's dome prominent and super views up the Duckabush valley. There were at least 3 other hiking parties I encountered on the trail but for the most part the hike was in forest (Old Growth Forest) quiet. The Duckabush River was boiling and deep with “spring” melting in the mountains. The trail is in super shape as far as I hiked, much better shape than trails in the Alpine Lakes or Issaquah Alps that I am more familiar. Hope to have the chance to do an overnight on the might Duckabush latter this year. This is truly a gem hike. I left Seattle at 9:30 PM and returned at 6:30 PM. For hours spent, this hike rates a 10 with me.