Great Overnights - Washington Trails Association

» On Trail July 2008 » Washington Trails www.wta.orgDeer Park and Moose LakeThe Obstruction Point Trailhead at the end ofa dirt road from Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NationalPark allows hikers to venture deep intothe Olympic Mountains. One hiking destination7.5 miles east from Obstruction Point (6,100 feet)can be Deer Park (5,200 feet). The Elk MountainTrail to Deer Park takes the hiker throughsome exceptionally bleak tundra-like landscapeon the south-facing side of Elk Mountain. Fainttrails invite the hiker to summit Elk Mountainand Maiden Peak for views of the Strait ofJuan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. There isno water on the ridge. Campsites are plentifulat popular Deer Park as it is easily accessibleby car. From Deer Park, climb Blue Mountain(6,007 feet) and return to Obstruction Pointparking the next day.Another hiking destination accessible fromObstruction Point is Moose Lake, tucked in theGrand Valley drainage between Grand Lakeand Gladys Lake. Hike south on the LillianRidge Trail and descend to Moose Lake. (Notethat at the point where the trail descends toMoose Lake there is a faint trail not on themaps that continues high along Lillian Ridge.)Moose Lake, at 4,800 feet, is a popular spot andthe number of campsites is limited. Overnightersshould preregister for one of the MooseLake sites at the Olympic National Park WildernessInformation Center just outside Port Angeles.A classic campsite at the east end of MooseLake sits about 50 feet above the lake withviews westward up the valley. The next day,hike to Grand Ridge Pass (6,400 feet). Marvel atthe jumble of Olympic peaks jabbing the sky.Map: Green Trails 135 Mount AngelesDirections: From Port Angeles take the roadto Hurricane Ridge. From the east end of theHurricane Ridge parking lot take the dirt roadto Obstruction Point. Paul BestockMeadows of wildflowersand fog onthe Deer Park Trail,Olympic NationalPark.to the top of Old Snowy gives views of Mc-Call Glacier and Tieton Peak and much of theGoat Rocks Wilderness area. Views of MountRainier are ever-present; evening alpenglow isbreathtaking. Take time to hike south to CispusPass, elevation 6,500 feet, a long, sweepingpass between the headwaters of the Cispus andKlickitat Rivers. This area, with phenomenalwildflowers, abundant mountain goats andspectacular views, is worth coming back toagain and again.Map: Green Trails 302 PackwoodDirections: Drive south from Enumclawon WA 410. At the intersection with WA 123continue south past Ohanapecosh to JohnsonCreek Road.For More IdeasFor other ideas for great backpacking trips,search WTA online guidebook at www.wta.org.Or refer to last year’s “Backpacking 101” seriesin Washington Trails magazine. You can find thecomplete series of articles and hike suggestionsonline at www.wta.org/magazine/1232.pdfIf you’re looking for a guidebook, try DougLorain’s Backpacking Washington (WildernessPress, 2007, $17.95).Or, if you’re into really long treks, tryTrekking Washington by Mike Woodmansee(Mountaineers Books, 2003, $18.95)