12. MOUNT ROSE

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST

The view of Lake Cushman 3,500 feet directly below is stunning. The trailstarts out easy by heading up an old road and crossing a cascading creek.But the grade quickly steepens and with a vengeance. Through a series of tight switchbacks the trail incessantly climbs. Wind through carpets of salaland a uniform second-growth forest. A few remnant giant firs however survived the fires that swept through the area in the early twentieth-century.

At 1.2 miles after 1000’ of vertical climbing, come to a bench with a limited view of Lake Cushman. The trail then enters the Mount Skokomish Wilderness and gets even steeper. At 1.9 miles the trail reaches the summit loop junction along with a small plaque honoring the crew that built this trail. Head left on the shorter and steeper route to the summit, leaving the longer and more gradual option for the descent.

The summit loop climbs 1,300’ in just over one mile, through a 2006-wildfire burn and remnant pockets of oldgrowth. At 3.1 miles it reaches the 4301’ forested summit. Don’t despair, for a small rock outcropping juts out of the forest providing a panoramic payoff.

Directly below is sparkling Lake Cushman. Lightning Peak and Timber Mountain rise majestically behind it. Look out in the distance and locate the Skokomish River delta, the Black Hills and the Willapa Hills. Mount Rainier can also be seen.

After taking in the views continue hiking along the summit loop. The trail traverses attractive forest and passes a colonnade of four silver firs that have grown so close together they appear fused. At 1.7 miles from the summit the loop trail returns to the main trail. From here it’s a knee jarring descent back to the trailhead.

Highlights: Stunning Lake Cushman views, wildflowers Distance: 6.7 miles round trip loop Elevation gain: 3500 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Permits: None Hiking Season: June through October Kid-Friendly: No Dog-Friendly: Yes Notes: Wilderness rules apply Amenities: None GPS waypoint: N47 29.731 W123 16.051 Contact: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District, Quilcene; www.fs.usda.gov/olympic Maps: Green Trails Olympic Mountains East 168S Trailhead Directions: From Shelton, travel north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Then turn left onto SR 119 and proceed for 9.3 miles to a T-intersection. Turn left and continue 2.7 miles (road becomes FR 24) to trailhead on your right.