Marmot Pass & Mt Buckhorn

RJ and I took this middle-of-the-week day off for a hike along the Big Quilcene trail in Olympic National Forrest/Park, climbing Marmot Pass, then Mount Buckhorn, and scree skiing back down to the main trail.

The environment changed drastically, as the hike began under clear blue skies which remained as we reached Marmot Pass, afterwards changing to a fog enveloped, ethereal ridge and mountain climb.

Scree skiing from Mt Buckhorn back down to the trail was definitely a trip highlight, as we lost 1500 ft elevation on a 3/4 mile scree ski run.

Note on picture size: Click on picture for a LARGER view.

Trailside View of Forest


Mushroom Closeup 


Nearby Peaks 


Marmot Pass Wildflowers 


Marmot Pass 


Looking Up Toward Buckhorn Ridge 


Tortured Buckhorn Ridge Tree 


Ethereal Buckhorn Ridge 


Scree Skiing Down From Mt Buckhorn 

Mount Baldy (8/20/2006)

Sunday I solo hiked from the Upper Dungeness trailhead to the summit of Mount Baldy (Olympic Natl Forest), bagging 4 additional peaks on the Gray Wolf Ridge.

Baldy is a worthy peak, claiming a 4100 foot elevation gain to reach its nearly 6800' high summit. Royal Creek is really where the climbing began.

Royal Creek


Continuing on, I ascended the Maynard Burn trail to a waytrail which led to the Gray Wolf Ridge. Once on the Ridge I began bagging peaks, including Baldy (the highest).

Gray Wolf Ridge Ascent


Gray Wolf Ridge Ascent (Closeup)


Mount Baldy


Mount Baldy Summit


Probably the most interesting peak was just northwest of Baldy - it had these tantalizing boulders poking upward - yes I climbed the tall one at the bottom of the pic below.
Peak NW of Baldy


While standing on Baldy, I absorbed spectacular scenery in every direction. The pictures below show some of the dramatically contrasting landscapes viewed from Baldy's summit.

View East of Baldy


Dungeness Valley


Mt Deception (Middle Background)


Mount Constance


I'm definitely going to repeat this climb again soon - although strenuous, it is one of the most satisfying climbs in the West Puget Sound.

Drawn as I am to Gray Wolf Ridge, I intend to revisit there soon, head east, then bag Mt Tyler and a few of its surrounding peaks.

Welch Peaks (8/16/2006)

Took the day off Wednesday to bag Welch Peak and Mount Townsend (Olympic Nat'l Forrest), starting from the Little Quilcene trailhead.

The pictures below tell the story of this rewarding hike. For the record, this was the first time I had a view from these peaks, normally the visibilty has been less than than about 20 feet.

The Little Quilcene trail provided a nice summer route up Mt Townsend since, for most of the trail's length, there was this fantastic view of the adjacent ridge.
Adjacent Ridge


On the ridge between Townsend and Welch Pk, there was this irresistable boulder jutting up - it had to be climbed.
Paul on Boulder on Welch Pk Ridge 


The Welch Peaks are actually much nore interesting than Mt Townsend.
Welch Peaks 


And, of course, that's me standing on the summit of Welch Peak.
Welch Peak Summit (Mt Townsend in Background) 


My favorite picture - clouds spraying out of the distant Mount Constance.
Cloudburst Surrounds Mt Constance 


I just had to include this closup pic of Constance as seen from Welch Peak.
Mt Constance Closeup View  


Click here for the March 2005 welch Peak Trip Report.