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Backpack - Gray Wolf-Dose Meadows-Cameron Creek Loop

Backpack a 46-mile scenic but strenuous loop with 17,000 feet of elevation gain in the northeast Olympics from Deer Park. We will cross Gray Wolf Pass, Hayden Pass, Lost Pass, Cameron Pass, Grand Pass and traverse the ridges south of Obstruction Point and between Obstruction Point and Deer Park. Weather permitting, swim in Grand Lake.

  • Very Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 51.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 16,572 ft
  • Pace: 2.0 mph

Backpack a 46-mile scenic but strenuous loop with 17,000 feet of elevation gain in the northeast Olympics from Deer Park. We will cross Gray Wolf Pass, Hayden Pass, Lost Pass, Cameron Pass, Grand Pass and traverse the ridges south of Obstruction Point and between Obstruction Point and Deer Park. Weather permitting, swim in Grand Lake.

We will plan on 4 nights on the trail.  The specific campsites are subject to change both before and during the trip, depending on weather and trail conditions.  The tentative schedule is:

Day 1:  Drive from Seattle to the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles to pick up our permit.  Drive to Deer Park campground. Hike 9.7 miles and 2,900 feet of elevation gain from Deer Park to Falls Camp.

Day 2: Hike 10.5 miles and 4,200 feet of elevation gain from Falls Camp to Dose Meadows via Gray Wolf Pass.

Day 3:  Remain camped at Dose Meadows and day hike about 5 miles and 1,500  feet of elevation gain to Hayden Pass and Thousand Acre Meadow.

Day 4: Hike 10.1 miles and 4,800 feet of elevation gain from Dose Meadows to Grand Lake, via Lost Pass, Cameron Pass, and Grand Pass.  Possible 0.3 mile roundtrip side trip from Grand Pass to Grandview Peak, gaining about 250’.

Day 5:  Hike 10.9 miles and 3,500  feet of elevation gain from Grand Lake back to our cars at Deer Park, via the ridge south of Obstruction Point and Hurricane Ridge.

The trip is described in Backpacking Washington, by Douglas Lorain. 

Leader permission is required, which you can obtain by sending an email to the leader.

I expect low overnight temperatures will be in the 30s. You should check the current weather report shortly before departure: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=47.9489989108&lon=-123.258264718.  While this route is in the Olympic rain shadow, rain should be expected, and you should bring a raincoat, rain pants, and pack cover and clothes that will keep you warm when wet (no cotton!). The trip is subject to change or cancellation if the predicted weather is unusually poor.

Conditioning:  This trip requires excellent conditioning.  We will average about 2 mph on the trail, including breaks.  You should be able to climb Mt. Si with a full backpack in 3 hours or less, and be able to repeat the climb on the next day.

Cost:  I paid $166 for our permit.   Total permit cost per person will be $33.

Other gear notes:

1. Bear canisters are not required.  We will hang our food each night.   The Dose Meadows and Grand Lake camps have bear wires. I plan to bring my Ursack.

2. You should bring some method of water purification.

3. Bugs are certainly possible; bring bug repellant.

Meeting place and time

Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center, 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362 at 9:00 AM Monday, August 12, 2024

Route/Place

Gray Wolf, Dose Meadows Cameron Creek & Grand Pass


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
  • There are no reliable bear hangs in this area, so Ursack or bear canister are required. 
  • You should bring some method of water purification.
  • Bugs are certainly possible; bring bug repellent.  
  • Shoes suitable for river fording; Crocs ok
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