I missed the lot for the lower trailhead by a mile+. I got to the junction with Road 16 before I said "I have to be too far, I need to turn around." Follow those coordinates religiously. Speaking of the road, I made it in a family sedan, but I bottomed out 3 times. You won't need a lifted pickup, but something like an Outback will do well. There are some massive holes.

The trail itself was fine. Not too steep, but with enough of an incline to where you feel you're getting a good workout, running water every so often. It's well-maintained.

I saw a banana slug; I named him Wilbur.

After I got to Road 100, the downhill started. Watch out for a bit of loose rock right as you cross the road. The descent is about the same grade as the ascent, and you're treated to much of the same old-growth scenery, but you now have the energy and breath to enjoy it. When you get to Road 27, turn right and walk just a bit; you should see a post with a laminated sheet, which indicates the resumption of the trail. Continue descending for a while, and listen to the sound of running water.

After a bit, I came across Mosquito Rock and Allen Creek. I assume the former is named for mosquitoes that probably come out later in the season (there were none). I sat here for a bit, but I didn't need to, because the trail is almost over by this point. You have a very brief extra uphill, then a final descent to the junction with the Big Quilcene Trail. I ate lunch on the bridge slightly to the left of the junction, then headed back the way I came.

The ascent back up to Road 100 was a bit harder than the initial ascent, likely because my legs were a bit tired. Eventually, you get there, and begin the descent back to the car.

On the way, there were a couple of loud cracks, which I assume were shots ringing out. I remember having driven past a small pull-off of Road 10 with a whole bunch of shotgun shells; it was likely from there.

And then, I saw them. 30 or so. A cornucopia (yes, that is the actual term) of banana slugs, and presumably, Wilbur was one of them, because I found them in the same place. I'm glad he found his kind.

Solid hike, good on rainy days like today.

Took a run up and down Notch Pass on an aptly named Sunday.

The road seems to have gotten worse since I was here last back in the winter of 2020, but I still made it alright in my Kia Soul with a bit of slow and careful driving.

It looks like a crew had been through recently to cut back the brush in the more dense first half mile or so, something my running shorts clad legs appreciated. Some regrading work appears to have been done around mile 1.5.

No signs of snow at any point on the trail, and only two small blow downs that were easily passed. Surprisingly few people out on the trail, did not see anyone until after the road 27 crossing, so it was a quiet and pleasant quick run in the mountains.

Parked at the first access point for the Notch Pass Trail. Ran over to Big Quilcene trail marker  and turned right to go a bit further to a turn around at 5 miles and head back to the car for a total of about 10 miles. 

The drive to parking lot for Notch Pass requires a high clearance vehicle right now- large potholes! 

The hiking trail is in great condition. What a gem! We saw a ton of trilliums and several owls and woodpeckers. Steady climbs but nothing as steep as Mt. Walker.

So glad to have found this great out and back with lush green, several river crossings and the perfect amount of climbing. Perhaps it would not be not as fun as a hike as there was no "epic" viewpoint.... but a beautiful fast hike, training hike with climbing, or run -for sure!

We took two cars, left one at each trailhead and through hiked from Notch Pass trail off road 010 to Bark Shanty and out to the Lower Big Quilcene River Trailhead. We had the top section of the trail over Notch pass to ourselves and didn't see any other hikers until we reached the last half of the Lower Big Quilcene trail after the junction and Bark Shanty.

For the most part, the trail is flat, mostly level and in good condition with only a few spots that had branches down that we had to duck under. It was rainy and even tried to snow at one point but we stayed mostly dry under the tree cover. Nice Hike!

I was torn between "rough but passable" or "high clearance recommended". My economy sedan made it, but the unmarked road (010) is pretty bad in sections. I scraped a couple times navigating potholes. Trailhead parking really is very limited, almost unnoticeable if you didn't know to be looking for it.  Trail is in great condition. No mud, despite a constant drizzle and light rain. Several spots for doggies to get a drink. Started early in the morning, first people I saw were on the Lower Big Quilcene trail and then met a couple small groups on the way back down. Very few trillium, rhododendrons not in bloom yet. I thought this trail would be very boring, but there are several water crossings and unique sections that made it worth the trip.