What: A good workout to reach a popular peak with great views on the southeast edge of the Olympic Mountains.
Where: Take U.S. 101 to Hoodsport, then turn west on Highway 119 (Lake Cushman Road). When the pavement ends in about 9 miles, turn right on Staircase Road (Forest Service Road 24). After 1.5 miles, take a sharp left on FR 2419 and look for signs to the Mount Ellinor Trail. In about 5 steep miles, you reach the lower trailhead. For the upper trailhead, continue on FR 2419 another 1.7 miles, then turn left at the spur road 2419.014 at the sign to the Upper Mount Ellinor Trail. Drive a mile to the dead end.
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip from the upper trailhead; 6.4 miles from the lower trailhead
Rating: Moderate to strenuous
Beginning elevation: 3,520 feet at the upper trailhead; 2,560 feet at the lower trailhead
High point: 5,944 feet.
Maps: USGS Mount Skokomish; Green Trails 167 Mount Steel and 168 The Brothers
Permits: Forest Service pass for parking
Contact: Hood Canal Ranger Station, Olympic National Forest, 360-877-5254
Notes: As you probably noticed, you can choose to start low or high on this hike. From the lower trailhead you’ll walk through heavy forest on a moderate uphill grade for two miles, where it joins the upper trail. From here, the going gets steeper, with about a mile of switchbacks through more forest to arrive at Chute Flats above 4,000 feet. The trail will become faint for a short distance past here, winding through boulders with occasional markers, until the more distinct trail is picked up again. Then it’s up steep meadows and ridges until the summit is gained. The views are worth the effort, from nearby Mount Washington to the north, more Olympic peaks, including Olympus, to the west and Hood Canal to the east. If visibility is good, you’ll be treated to Rainier, Adams and St. Helens. Conditions are usually good through October to hike this trail.
From U.S. Forest Service reports and “Rain Shadow Hikes” by Michael Fagin and Skip Card (Mountaineers Books)
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