Went out for a nice early season hike at Notch Pass this weekend. Most other trip reports have touched on the same things but to reiterate for anyone looking for slightly newer information:

The road is a little rough but honestly not nearly as bad as many I've been to. The potholes are large, but mostly really wide; there was only one deep one (about 0.5 miles after turning on to the last forest road) that might give a sedan some trouble. For the most part I think any car could handle the road.

I will say that the trailhead was not easy for us to spot. We ended up driving past it and having to sketchily turn around and navigate back. Look for a very small (fits 2 cars max I would guess) turn out on your right and then sharply up on the left you should see the sign saying Notch Pass. The turn out should kind of stand out since for the most part this is a strict single lane road with no shoulder.

The trail itself was amazing. Gorgeous trail; the trees and the moss were just stunning. Hit some snow up by the pass and there was some steep ice that was a little sketchy (mostly because of our dog tugging us down the hill), but nothing to worry about and nothing that would require gear. 

Great little early season hike! If we had had more time I would've loved to link up some other trails while we were out there - but maybe that's what next weekend is for :)

Great early season hike, and with sunshine today to boot!  The road to the trailhead is full of deep potholes, but not difficult to navigate with a high clearance vehicle.  The parking area at the trailhead is limited (2 to 3 cars max), but luckily this trail seems to get relatively little use.  The trail is in great shape, with only one area around mile 2 where the root ball from a downed tree took out most of the trail; but even that spot is easily navigated.  Thanks Lee and other WTAers for all of your great work on this trail - you rock!!

The out-and-back to the Big Quilcene bridge is 9 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain, but the grades throughout the trail make the climbing very efficient.  Just a few patches of snow just west of Notch Pass, but again easily navigated.  A great hike to enjoy the beautiful forest and get the legs in shape!

Road into Notch Pass TH has very large potholes that are filled with water so depth is unknown. Drive slowly and carefully. Notch Pass 1 (from TH to first FS road) has been mostly cleared of downed trees but more have fallen but are easily navigated around. Two large trees near the trail went over and their root balls took some of the trail with it so trail is very narrow or steep and muddy to go around. Notch Pass 2 (between the 2 FS roads) still has lots of snow and it is hard and icy. Notch Pass 3 (FS road to Lower Big Quilcene trail junction) has been cleared of downed trees for the moment. The log bridges are VERY slippery and icy, walk carefully. 

Some snow on the road to the trailhead on FR 27, but not a problem.  Hiked from FR 27 to Lower Big Quilcene Trail with Gray Wolf Trail Crew.  We cleared several blowdowns, including one on the footlog  over Townsend Creek.  This section of the trail is now clear of obstructions.

ked yesterday with a buddy to survey storm damage - this trail is going to require a lot of work to bring back to fully functional. The winter storms have blown swaths of trees into the trail, and sent down a few with large root systems that blew out a couple good 20 foot sections. Snow ranged from 6~inches in lower elevations to a couple feet closer to the pass. Trees still actively coming down - we watched a few come down from a distance. Recommend waiting another week or two for the snow to clear before venturing up this one.