North Fork Skokomish River

Getting there

Drive US-101 to Hoodsport and turn west onto SR-119. Continue 9.3 miles to an intersection, turn left and drive 1.7 miles where the road becomes Forest Road 24. In another 2.7 miles, turn right and continue 1.2 miles to the Staircase Ranger Station and trailhead (875 ft).

on the trail

Four Stream & Staircase Rapids

up to 4 miles round trip and 150 feet of elevation gain

For a short, easy outing hike 2.1-mile Staircase Rapids Loop on the Four Stream and North Fork Skokomish River Trails. From the bridge add some additional miles by hiking another mile up river on the Four Stream Trail (up to 4 miles). The elevation gain is less than 150 feet. 

Spike Camp

7.5 miles round trip with 625 feet of elevation gain

Begin at the Staircase Ranger Station and follow the trail for about a mile until you reach a bridge. Continue up valley on the North Fork Skokomish River Trail for another 2.4 miles to Spike Camp.

Flapjack Lakes

15 miles round trip with 3,200 feet of elevation gain

At Spike Camp there is a junction and the trail to the right climbs more steeply for 3.4 miles to Flapjack Lakes.

Gladys Divide

18 miles round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain

Follow the trail from Flapjack Lakes to Gladys Divide which gains 1,100 feet of elevation in 0.9 mile.  Enjoy views of the Olympic's Sawtooth Mountains and the Hamma Hamma River valley.

Big Log Camp

11.3 miles round trip with 725 feet of elevation gain

If you choose not to go to Flapjack Lakes (taking the left fork), the trail frpm Spike Camp proceeds 1.9 miles to Big Log Camp. From Big Log Camp you can follow a trail up to Black and White Lakes and Murdock and Smith Lakes.

Black and White lakes loop

16 miles loop/round trip with 3,700 feet of elevation gain

A less used alternative to Flapjack Lakes. From Big Log Camp, turn right (east). The route then steeply ascends on the brushy Black and White Way Trail gaining 2,800 feet over 2.2 miles to the Smith Lake Trail.  The trail continues on for another 0.2 miles in a subalpine meadow to the Black and White Lakes.  To complete the loop, follow the Smith Lakes and Flapjack Lakes Trails back to the North Skomomish River Trail.

camp pleasant

13.5 miles round trip with 1,000 feet of elevation gain

From Big Log Camp, Camp Pleasant hike another 1.2 miles and no elevation gain.

Home Sweet Home

27 miles round trip with 4,500 feet of elevation gain

From Camp Pleasant hike 7.9 miles and 2,600 feet of elevation gain to the Home Sweet Home campsite.

Lake Lacrosse

41 miles round trip with 8,100 feet of elevation gain

From Home Sweet Home, hike 2.0 miles to the junction with the Duckabush River Trail. Turn left and hike 3.7 miles to Marmot Lake (4,400 ft). From Marmot lake it's 0.9 miles to Hart Lake (4,865 ft), 1.4 miles to Lake LaCrosse (4,700 ft), and 1.2 miles to O'Neil Pass (4,900 ft). There are campsites at Marmot Lake and Lake LaCrosse.

O'Neil Pass, Anderson Pass & LaCrosse Pass Loop

50 miles round trip/loop with 17,900 feet of elevation gain

A challenging "lollipop loop" that travels up the North Fork Skokomish River, along the Duckabuch River, over O'Neil Pass, over Anderson Pass, over LaCrosse Pass, and back down the North Fork Skokomish River. Consider side trips to Anderson Glacier,  Lake LaCrosse, the world's largest Western Hemlock, and Enchanted Valley.

Information for Leaders

Scheduling

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, Day Hiking
• Seasons: June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Length: 15.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,200 ft
• High Point: 3,900 ft

• Land Manager: Olympic National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12