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Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass

Trip

Backpack - Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass

This is a two day, one night, 17.5 mile round backpack trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. We will ascend flower-strewn meadows to ridges with expansive views across the Dungeness River gorge to the Olympic mountains range. Hike the Tubal Cain Mine Trail to Buckhorn Pass with optional hiking up to Marmot Pass.

Contacts

Richard Lambe
Richard Lambe
Primary Leader
Qualified Youth Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 15.1 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,310 ft

We'll meet at 9:45AM at the Tubal Cain trailhead on Friday June 21. Have your pack ready to go including water for the first 2 miles.  We'll be back to the trailhead by early afternoon on Saturday June 22.

 https://goo.gl/maps/SsAUK3LexZN8ABbU8.  

Hike Tubal Cain Mine trailhead, the first mile of the trail passing under some 10-foot-tall rhododendrons, which present a lovely display in the early spring.  At 3.5 mi and 4,350 ft the trail passes the site of the old Tubal Cain mine, now just some wooden pipes, rusty wire and equipment.  Soon after crossing Cooper Creek, the canopy opens and the trail begins to switchback steeply through flower fields with expanding views ahead to Buckhorn Peak. 

At 5.5 miles, at a junction continues on the trail, the meadows and views expand until the trail reaches the broad ridgetop of Buckhorn Pass at 7 mi and 5,700 ft. Enjoy dramatic views across the gorge of the Dungeness River to the peaks of the main Olympics range.  Unless snowmelt ponds remain, you'll need to carry water from Copper Creek to camp here, but the rewards are great!  After lunch, continue rambling along the ridge tops, finding your way up the boulder fields to the top of 6,950 ft Buckhorn Pass, and beyond to the saddle of 6,100 ft Marmot Pass at 8.75 miles.

This is the leader's favorite late-June backpack, with expansive flower fields, panoramic views and the chance to see mountain goats!  It's a dry camp so everyone will have a chance to practice carrying water for the overnight up to the camp.  Many beginner backpackers have really enjoyed this trail in past years!

Gear and food planning details and trail and weather information will be provided by the leader in advance of the trip.

Route/Place

Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass


  • Green Trails Tyler Peak No. 136
    Green Trails Olympic Mountains East No. 168S
    Custom Correct Buckhorn Wilderness
    Trails Illustrated Olympic National Park
  • See full route/place details.
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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include (thanks to Birgit Grimlund for this list):

  • Please individualize to fit your own style and predicted weather but please keep LNT principles as well as individual and group safety and comfort in mind.

    Packing List (Gear) 
    ❑ Backpack + whistle
    ❑ Sleeping bag/quilt + pad
    ❑ Tent or bivy
    ❑ Headlamp 
    ❑ Water bottle/bladder 1-2 liters
    ❑ Water purification/filter
    ❑ Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat)
    ❑ Hiking pole(s) 
    ❑ Bug protection 
    ❑ Pocket knife or multitool
    ❑ First aid kit 
    *Everyone's personal first aid kit should include personal meds, a small ACE type wrap, Tylenol + ibuprofen for small injuries, band aids, blister management (Moleskin/tape for hot spots  or my preferred is a hydrocolloid such as Band-Aid Hydroseal for open sores).
    ❑ Personal hygiene (TP/Kula cloth, wipes, toothbrush/paste, spade, bag to carry out paper waste,  gender specific items)
    ❑ Gaia or CalTopo app on phone with downloaded maps of area 
    *All with cell phones should have a navigation app on their phone, trip leader will also have a paper map.
    ❑ Cell phone/camera/battery pack (optional)
    ❑ Reading material/cards/games (optional)
    ❑ Sit pad or chair (optional)
    Packing List (Food)
    ❑ Ursack + Opsak or bear canister or rope/bag for a bear hang required
    ❑ Bowl/cup/spoon 
    ❑ Breakfast x1 days
    ❑ Lunch/snacks x 2 days
    ❑ Dinner x 1 nights
    ❑ Electrolyte powder (optional)
    Packing List (Clothing)  
    ❑ Hiking boots or hiking shoes
    ❑ Camp shoes/water shoes (optional)
    ❑ Hiking socks (wool or synthetic)
    ❑ Hiking Gaiters (optional)
    ❑ Short or long sleeve shirt
    ❑ Long sleeve sun protection shirt
    ❑ Hiking pants 
    ❑ Rain protection 
    ❑ Underwear
    ❑ Puffy layer (Down or synthetic) + midlayer
    ❑ Long underwear or base layer (which can also be a sleeping layer)
    ❑ Gloves
    ❑ Hat if no hood on warm layer
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