Mentor Group Backpack

Field trip: Backpack Leaders' Badge Course - Foothills

Mentor Group Backpack - Geyser Valley

Backpack with a small group of prospective leaders through the Elwha River Valley along the Olympic Hot Springs road to the trail with viewpoints of an abandoned mine, Goblin's Gate, and finally our camp at Humes Ranch. This is a great spring trip with a chance to learn about local history and the Press Expedition while enjoying some old growth trees and the Elwah River!

  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 17.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 4,180 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 1,450 ft
  • Pace: 1.5-2 mph

We will hike at a gentle 1.5-2mph, taking frequent breaks. We will stop for an extended lunch (~20 minutes). We will break camp and head back to our cars Sunday morning starting around 8am.

There should be a bear wire for hanging food.

This route involves 6 miles each day of road walking and some up and down/ steady climbing but nothing very steep. The road walking should be worth it to be able to explore the great overlooks including an abandoned mine, a rocky gorge on the Elwha, 

When you sign up for my mentor group please let me know when you want to lead your mentored backpack with me between April and the end of June so that we can start planning together! I am only available to accompany you/supervise your Mentor-trip until the end of June 2025.  All Mentored trips will need to be scheduled for a date not later than June 30th.  I can help you find an early season location if you need assistance.  Here are my available dates to join you for your mention-trip segment of this course: 4/26-27; 5/17-18; 5/31-6/1; 6/7-8; 6/14-15; 6/19-22 (Starting Juneteenth if someone wants to lead a longer trip); 6/28-29

We will meet at the Madison Falls Trailhead at 10:30am and aim to arrive at camp by around 5pm.

To get to the trailhead head west on Highway 101 from Port Angeles. Turn left onto Olympic Hot Springs Road, and follow this road to the park gate. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet at this trailhead.

Each Mountaineers Member should reimburse me $9 for the overnight backcountry permit.

Route/Place

Geyser Valley


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • Tent with tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water treatment and some means of carrying a gallon of water
  • Ursack or food storage/ hanging method.
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils and sufficient fuel
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
  • Raincoat 
  • Food for 1 dinners, 1 breakfasts, and 2 lunches/snacks
  • Bugs, especially ticks are certainly possible; bring bug repellent.
Trip Reports