After 2 WTA work parties on this trail there are far fewer logs across the trail, a seasonal creek crossing with a rock ford (which should keep hikers from putting large tree branches in the creek!), and a knee rail has been installed on the Allen Creek bridge (which should make all hikers feel safer, especially those who don’t like heights).

There are still logs across the Notch 1 (1.70 miles long) section of the trail, but those are easy to walk around or under.

Notch 2 (.45 mile long) is clear of logs and the lower end has been brushed, opening up the corridor.

Notch 3 (1.0 mile long) connects with the Lower Big Quilcene trail and has been cleared of logs.  And a knee rail was installed on the high middle bridge that was built by WTA crews last year.  There are 3 bridges on this section: No Name, Allen Creek and Townsend Creek.  **There are 2 wasp ground nests about 1/2 mile down the trail.

On our second work party there was a PNTA youth crew on the upper part of Notch 1 with a chainsaw also removing some of the logs.  (For those who don’t know, WTA uses the “old school “ crosscut saws and muscle - lots more fun!)

The road conditions report mainly deals with the last 1.5 - 2 miles before the trail head ("Notch 1"). Prior to that, it was asphalt and a well-maintained dirt road. After an old logging clearing, the road reduces down to almost a single-lane jeep trail. There are some potholes that were pretty deep, so if you're in a low-clearance vehicle, you may need to be careful. Also, the road doesn't offer very many places to pass or turn around. Luckily, traffic on it seems pretty minimal (as far as I could tell, I was the only one who was on that section today).

I arrive at the trail head around 9:15 AM. As previous reports have indicated, it is pretty easy to miss the trail head, just because you may not be looking the right direction. If you use Google Maps, the "Notch Pass Trailhead" (not the "3rd Access" one) is right where it should be. If you get there and see a little pull out off to the right, look UP and to your left. The trail head is up there. There's some pipe painted blue down near the road at the same point. If you miss it, you have to drive about 1/2 a mile or so down the road to find a place to turn around. When you come back, the trail head is extremely obvious (easier to see heading back on the road). I've included a composite image below, showing the view from the road at two slightly different angles (so you know what to look for).

I hiked from the Notch Pass trail head down to where the Notch Pass and Big Quilcene trail meet up (and down to the bridge right there). This ended up being around 7.8 miles, so I'm not quite sure where the 8.4 mile estimate is coming from. Most of the elevation gain is from the trail head up to the "Notch 3" access area (roughly 2000 feet in 2 miles), and it starts off right away. You can park up at the "3rd Access"/"Notch 3" lot and save yourself the 2000 feet and 2 miles, but where's the fun in that!

The trail itself was pretty interesting, since it was a slightly different hike out than in! The main reason for this was a WTA work party working there today. They had three groups - two working to clear out some blowdowns, and one building a new ford for water handling near the "Notch 3" parking lot. You could definitely see the progress they made in the couple hours between the times I passed them. It was interesting to see how they were approaching the trail improvements, though I probably impeded progress a little (I talked too much). It was great to see them out there and learn new things, including how some of the moss looks like an emu (I should have taken a picture of it).

Most of the WTA work was on the upper part of the large hill (near the "Notch 3" access point), and on the trail down to the Big Quilcene Trail. There are still quite a few blowdowns on the lower part of the trail (from the trail head up to the top of the hill). These are all manageable - the most technical one is a larger tree you have to decide if you want to go over or under (over seemed easier). However, if you hike the route after Tuesday, it may be completely clear. The WTA volunteers are supposed to be back on the trail this coming Tuesday to do some work on the lower portion of the trail.

Regarding the WTA work, the party crew chief (sorry, I forgot your name!) mentioned they may also visit the bridge over Allen Creek on Tuesday. If you have any fear of heights, this bridge can be a little unnerving (or downright unpassable for some people - see previous trip reports). It sounds like there are plans to put a knee-bar on this bridge to help with that. The bridge is pretty wide and stable, but I definitely kept a hand near the railing the entire time I was on it taking pictures (but I do have a fear of heights).

In terms of bugs, they weren't bad at all. Down near the trail head, there were some gnats that kept clouding around me near the car, but that only happened if you sat still. Other than that, the main "insect issue" was with spiders. Since it wasn't a well-traveled trail, I got to eat a lot of webs going both up and down the trail.

Overall, the was definitely an "out of the way" trail, especially the first portion from the trail head up to the "Notch 3"/"Third Access" area -- aside from the WTA party, I was the only person on the first part (and I only saw one other party on the Third Access to Quilcene portion).

A great hike in a forest, and if there ever was a place  where you would expect to be ambushed by the Orcs of the Red Hand, it is in the heart of the Notch Pass. Beautiful forest, rhododendrons in bloom, giant moss covered boulders, and a web of fallen tress from a long ago fire.

When the trail crosses the second road, go to the right to find the trail shortly down the road on the opposite side of the road.

Before reaching the Shanty Camp there is a bridge over a small, yet beautiful canyon being carved into the soft clay. It is easy to cross, but our canine companion found the view terrifying and refused to cross. The canyons' walls where too steep for her to gather the nerve to cross without using the bridge, so here is where we rested before making the return trip. So at the bridge, the canine could not pass...

We arrived at the trail head at 0830 with 1 car parked along the road. We found that the unmarked road wasn't at 0.5 miles but 0.9 miles and it's very unmarked. It actually looks like you're driving right onto the clear-cut soooo, if it appears like you may be on the wrong road, you're in the right place. Previous reports about potholes the size of a small car are spot on, however, if taken slowly, most cars can make it. Tip: be on the lookout for the TH because it's easy to just drive right on past it and not see it on the hill to your left. Parking is on the edge of the road.

The trail is in great shape with the exception of the occasional over/under trees across your path. With a small amount of squatting/stepping it shouldn't be a problem for most. 

It is a good climb for the first of the season and after the 2 mile-2000' climb you think you've finally made it. And you have. The remainder of the hike is back down the other side and the legs and lungs are feeling better, however, when you get to the end you'll turn around and head back up and back over again.Note that when you come to the first road (dirt) the trail continues straight across the road. It's the 2nd road crossing (paved) that you turn right, go up the road 200 feet and the trail continues on the left.  

This is a really nice, somewhat short hike, good leg/lung burner without any mountaintop views.The creeks and rivers were very pretty. The trail's in great shape, the bridges are safe and all have handrails, and the trees are lovely. We only saw 3 people the entire hike. It took about 2.5 hours to get to the 3rd bridge (end of this hike) 1.75 hours to get back.