off-trail

Elwha Basin river crossing alternative stream-crossings are an underrated hazard

Elwha River Thulefoth Comments
Elwha Basin

Elwha Basin

Elwha Basin river crossing alternative describes a good way to avoid the standard crossing of the Elwha River, near its headwater, usually as part of using the Elwha Snow Finger route between the high-country and the lowlands (and the official trail system).  The Elwha, though small here, is steeper than it looks:  the normal crossing-point is impossible in any kind of high water; it is frequently dangerous, and usually difficult.  There is a ready and favorable alternative, using the lower toe of Mount Seattle, which in the map-crop is the prominent ridge between the main river and Elwha Basin Way Trail, and the southern part of the Basin. … cont’d >

Anderson Ranch, Elwha River, Olympic Nat’l Park off-trail, river-bottom day-hike

Elwha River / Olympic Nat'l Park Thulefoth Comments
Anderson Ranch meadow, from south upsteam end

Anderson Ranch meadow, from south upsteam end

Anderson Ranch is a large river-bottom, flood-plain meadow on the left bank of the Elwha River; it lies immediately upstream of Goblins Gate. More fully, or historically, it was the Billy Anderson Ranch, and that name will sometimes be seen. It is quite near the beginning of the main Elwha River Trail, but is on the opposite side of the river.

To get to the Ranch, start from the Whiskey Bend Trailhead, where the main Elwha trail starts and follow it up-river through the Humes Ranch area (a popular day-hiking complex). Use the steel suspension Long Ridge Trail Bridge that (dramatically) crosses the river to give access to Long Ridge Trail. Then hike cross-country back down the other side to the Ranch. Or, much more direct, if the water is unusually low (late summer, fall, maybe), robust types ford the river from the foot of Rica Canyon Trail. … cont’d >

Mount Fitzhenry, Olympic Nat’l Park Elwha River and northern Bailey Range, Olympic Mountains

Olympic Nat'l Park Thulefoth Comments
Lake Mills and Mt. Fitzhenry

Lake Mills and Mt. Fitzhenry

Mount Fitzhenry (5,948′) is mostly noted & known (such as it is), as the modest but picturesque peak poised at the head of now-drained Lake Mills, on the Elwha River in the Olympic National Park.   The summit is about 6 miles away, by the crow; the base only half of that.  It is part of the watersheds of Cat Creek, Long Creek, Fairchild Creek and the Elwha.   There are no official trails for it. … cont’d >

Stephen Peak, Bailey Range, Olympic Nat’l Park Bailey Range, Olympic Mountains & Park

Olympic Nat'l Park Thulefoth Comments
Stephen Peak from eastern Bailey Range

Stephen Peak from eastern Bailey Range

Stephen Peak is a substantial chunk of backcountry terrain in the Olympic Mountains of Olympic National Park, usually treated as an obstacle along the unofficial Bailey Range Traverse; something to get around and continue with a larger plan. It is prominent in the main cluster of mountains on display from the popular Hurricane Ridge Recreation Area.