Basic Backpacking Field Trip - North Fork Skokomish River to Big Log Camp

9:30am at the ONP Hoodsport Wilderness Information Center, 150 N Lake Cushman Road in Hoodsport (map).   From there we'll caravan 30 minutes to the trailhead.

Because the trailhead is inside Olympic NP, each car will need to pay the park entrance fee or use a National Park pass.

The north fork of the Skokomish River is a classic river trail through old growth forest in Olympic National Park.  We'll hike the first five miles of it to Big Log Camp, a spacious and pretty camp next to the river.

On the last mile of our return hike we'll cross over the Skokomish river on the suspension bridge built in 2013 and follow the Staircase Rapids Trail back to the trailhead.

Big Log Camp is equipped with a bear wire which is used to hang food safely, so there is no need for a bear canister.  An Ursak is optional.

About Basic Backpacking Field Trips

The Basic Backpacking Field Trip, or "student backpack", is the final scheduled activity of the Basic Backpacking Course.   For most students it will be their first overnight trip in the backcountry.  Student backpacks are usually single-night trips along Easy or Moderate routes that do not present any unusual technical challenges.