Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack

Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Enchanted Valley

This field trip will give B3 students the opportunity to try out gear and new skills on an easy overnight backpack with an experienced mentor.

  • Easy
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 26.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft

We will meet at the Quinault Wilderness Information Center at 9:00am   

  Quinault Wilderness Information Office - Google Maps

Here there are bear canisters for loan if you do not have your own (highly encouraged).  Note:  Bear canisters are REQUIRED in this area. 

From here we will caravan the 17 miles to the trailhead at Graves Creek

Graves Creek Trailhead - Google Maps

To park within the Olympic National Park you will need a National Park Pass or Interagency Pass 

This is a relatively easy, but long, 3 night backpacking trip for B3 students.  We will travel at an easy/moderate pace of 1.5 - 2 miles/hour and follow the  East Fork of the Quinault River Trail from Graves Creek Trailhead to Enchanted Valley through one of the three major temperate rain forest valleys in Olympic National Park. Pristine old growth forest, wildflower meadows, American black bears, Roosevelt Elk, and a spectacular end destination are the highlights.

Here is the  trip plan on Gaia

 https://www.gaiagps.com/public/QHyJtnmVslH82GFpzxttJ69r

Day 1:  From Grave's Creek Trailhead to O'Neil Creek  6.4 mi/2,350 '

Day 2:  From O'Neil Creek to Enchanted Valley 6.1 mi/1875'

Day 3:  From Enchanted Valley to O'Neil Creek 6 mi/1282'

Day 4:  From O'Neil Creek to  Grave's Creek trailhead 6.4 mi/1852'

Participants are responsible to pay leader the  permit (24$)/reservation fee (1$) =  $25 each within  2 weeks of registering for the trip.  Fee is non-refundable on cancelation unless your spot can be filled prior to the trip.

Since this is an early season hike, is it highly recommended that participants try out their gear prior to this trip and feel able to backpack for 6+ miles/day for several days in a row.  We will be hiking in June in the rainforest, so RAIN is a strong possibility.

Check out current weather conditions:  7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.47°N and Longitude 123.87°W (Elev. 348 ft) (weather.gov)

This hike will follow the Mountaineers hiking guidelines for COVID-19 that apply on the date of this trip.

All participants will be required to have a face covering ready to pull up at the trailhead, and will be asked to be familiar with and follow the Mountaineers Covid-19 guidelines for trip.

Route/Place

Enchanted Valley



  • Green Trails Mt Christie No. 166

    Green Trails Mt Steel No. 167

    Trails Illustrated Olympic National Park

    Custom Correct Quinault-Colonel Bob

    Custom Correct Enchanted Valley - Skokomish

    Custom Correct Brothers - Mt Anderson
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader

Trip Reports