Field trip: Conditioning Hiking Series

CHS 2 Hike - Royal Basin

One of the top 100 hikes in Washington state, on the east side of Olympic National Park. The trail cuts through the Royal Creek vale to a lake beneath snow capped mountains. This hike offers views of wild rivers, old-growth huge trees, waterfalls, and alpine lakes. Beautiful! CHS hike led at a CHS 2 pace (2.0-3.0 mph)

Contacts

Julie Cauthorn

Primary Leader

Ericka Mitterndorfer

Co-Leader

Sat, Aug 30, 2025
Committee: Seattle Hiking Committee
Activity Type: Day Hiking
Audience: Adults

Difficulty: Strenuous
Leader Rating: Challenging
Mileage: 17.0 mi
Elevation Gain: 3,405 ft
High Point Elevation: 5,700 ft
Pace: 2.0-3.0

Availability: FULL, 1 on waitlist (8 capacity)
Instructor Availability: FULL (2 capacity)
Registration Open: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Registration Closed: Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Add to Calendar: iCal Google

Leader's notes

As always, plan for a FULL day. Average moving speed will be about 2.2 - 2.4mph. Optional swimming in Royal Lake. Upper Royal Basin will be our goal (one mile beyond Royal Lake). For more information on the hike, check out WTA: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/royal-basin. More information to be emailed to registered participants. Remember to be flexible! Depending on wildfire/smoke conditions, a substitute hike may be necessary.

Meeting place and time

Upper Dungeness trailhead: Meet at 7:45am, Boots on the trail by 8am. It's about a 3-hour drive from Seattle to the trailhead. You may want to consider staying on the Olympic peninsula the night before the hike. (Also be aware it is Labor Day weekend). Your leaders are staying in Sequim, and there are camping and other lodging options nearby. This will be a long day!

Route/Place

Royal Basin

Recommended Maps & Charts:
Green Trails Olympic Mountains East No. 168S
Custom Correct Buckhorn Wilderness
Custom Correct Gray Wolf - Dosewallips
USGS Mt Deception
See full route/place details.