Dosewallips River/Abandoned National Park Road

Hike, backpack,trail run, or bikepack up to 13 miles round trip with up to 1,200 feet of elevation gain in Olympic National Park. The route parallels the Dosewallips River, showcases fall foliage, and offers many opportunities for photos.

getting there

Head east on the Dosewallips River Road from US-101. It's ~9 miles to the trailhead where the road is washed out (600 ft).

on the trail

Dosewallips Camp

up to 13 miles round trip, up to 1,200 feet of elevation gain

Hike east along the river on the abandoned Dosewalips Road. Staring at 500 ft, the road is nearly flat for the first couple miles and then gradually climbs to 1,700 feet at the Dosewallips Camp 6.5 mi from the trailhead. From the camp, there is the 1.1 mi, 100 ft elevation gain Dosewallips Terrace Nature Trail.

Sunnybrook Meadows & Constance Pass

26 miles round trip, 5,900 feet of elevation gain

Hike east along the river on the abandoned Dosewalips Road. Staring at 500 ft, the road is nearly flat for the first couple miles and then gradually climbs to 1,700 feet at the Dosewallips Camp 6.5 mi from the trailhead. Continue 1.4 miles to Dose Forks. Do not cross the river but instead continue upriver on the main trail, along the North Fork Dosewallips River. Hike another mile and turn left onto the Constance Trail. The trail climbs 4.6 miles to the pass with camps in Sunnybrook Meadows ~1.5 miles before the pass.

Diamond Meadows & Diamond Mountain (6,822 ft)

30 miles round trip, 9,000 feet of elevation gain, scrambling difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 3

The route travels through low elevation forest to alpine terrain at the summit. Hike or bike of 6.5 miles and 1,900 feet of elevation gain to Dosewallips Camp and then hike 6.5 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain up the West Fork of the Dosewallips River to Diamond Meadows. The scramble to Diamond Mountain scramble is 4.2 miles round trip with 4,100 feet of elevation gain. The route is through steep forested slopes and open talus slopes at the summit.

PIROS SPIRE/EAST SPUR (5,200 ft)

24 MILES ROUND TRIP, 5,600 FEET OF ELEVATION GAIN, DIFFICULTY: STRENUOUS 5, TECHNICAL 3

Hike east along the river on the abandoned Dosewalips Road. Starting at 500 ft the road is nearly flat for the first couple miles then gradually climbs to 1,700 feet at the Dosewallips Camp (6.5 mi from the trailhead). Continue 1.5 miles, bypassing the Terrace Loop Trail, to the branch in the trail, then take the southern fork and descend 0.25 mile and camp at Dose Forks Camp. Hike the West Fork Dosewallips River 0.8 mile, crossing on the high bridge at 0.5 miles (2,000 ft). Leave the trail and travel cross country to the base of Piros Spire's east ridge. Ascend the spur to ~5,200 ft or higher as snow conditions allow.

West Fork Dosewallips to Anderson Pass

33 miles round trip, 6,000 feet of elevation gain

Hike or bike of 6.5 miles and 1,900 feet of elevation gain to Dosewallips Camp. Then hike 1 mile to Dose Forks, cross the river and hike up the West Fork of the Dosewallips River. Campsites are available at Dose Forks (Mile 7.6), Big Timber (Mile 10.3), Diamond Meadows (Mile 12.7), Honeymoon Meadows (Mile 15), and Camp Siberia (Mile 16.3). From Diamond Meadows it is an easy day trip up to Anderson Pass and exploration in the valley formed by the retreating glacier.

notes

  • This is great as both a day hike for any portion of the road/trail or as an easy weekend backpacking or bikepacking trip.
  • For those with extra energy, the nature trail  loop at the camp is a nice addition.
  • For those wanting a workout, the Lake Constance Trailhead is 5 miles from the road washout/trailhead at 1,400 ft. It's 2.2 miles one-way and 3,300 feet of elevation gain.
  • The Land Manager for the trailhead is the National Forest Service. No parking permit is required, as the trailhead is just the blocked off road and there are no services available. The road/trail does enter the Olympic National Park a few miles in, but does not require a National Park Entrance Fee. Camping at the abandoned Dosewallips Campground does not require fee or wilderness permit, because it's officially still a car campground. Past the campground, camping does require a wilderness permit.

Information for Leaders

  • This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. Leaders are expected to contact the leader(s) of existing trips to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.
  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Bikepacking, Day Hiking, Trail Running
  • Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate, Bikepacking MTB I
  • Length: 13.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft
  • 1,600 ft
  • Land Manager: Olympic National Park
  • Parking Permit Required: None
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
Map
  • Green Trails Olympic Mountains East No. 168S
  • Green Trails Tyler Peak No. 136
  • Green Trails The Brothers No. 168
  • Green Trails Mt Steel No. 167
  • Custom Correct Gray Wolf - Dosewallips
  • Custom Correct Buckhorn Wilderness
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Dosewallips River
  • Dosewallips River Road Trail
  • Lake Constance
  • Constnace Pass
  • Diamond Mountain
  • Piros Spire/East Spur
  • Sunnybrook Meadows & Constance Pass
  • Sunnybrook Meadows
  • Dosewallips River to Sunnybrook Meadows & Constance Pass
  • Dosewallips River to Sunnybrook Meadows
  • Dosewallips River to Constnace Pass
  • Dosewallips River to Diamond Mountain
  • West Fork Dosewallips to Anderson Pass
Resources
Name/Description
Dosewallips Road GPS Track, Distance and Elevation Particulars

This image shows the approximate route of the hike from the end of the Dosewallips Road washout to the Dosewallips National Campground. Also included is the elevation profile, ascent-descent values, and total mileage.

Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.