Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- Nov, 2024
Fri, Nov 1 Slab Camp to the Benches [Mod to Diff] 5.5 / 1660' NW Forest/Golden ride-$5
This is a moderately difficult to difficult hike as there are some steep grades, especially between the 1.5 – 2.7-mile mark. You can go as far as the “Benches” at 2.7 miles or to the ONP boundary at 3.3 miles or continue on to the Deer Park Campground at about 5 miles. Or, if not enough, can go on another .8 miles to Blue Mt. and the .5 mi. Rainshadow Nature Trail!
Wed, Nov 6 N. Kitsap Heritage Park [Easy to Mod] 6-8.68 / 650'-880' N/A ride-$7
This park has over 800 acres and 10 miles of trails to choose from in one of Kitsap County's largest parks, located between the towns of Kingston and Indianola. There are many possibilities of loops and there is a variety of forest, wetlands, and the headwaters of (2) vital salmon streams: Grovers Creek and Carpenter Creek. The Great Peninsula Conservancy was a leading partner in conserving this area, along with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, in addition to other agencies.
Fri, Nov 8 Eden Valley West [Easy to Mod] 8.0-8.5 / 750'-930' Discover ride-$5
Enjoy this 8-mile R.T. portion of the 25-mile OAT (Olympic Adventure Trail) that goes from Hwy. 112, Mile (0) to Lake Crescent. Hikers can hike on this portion of the trail from the Eden Valley Road off of Dan Kelly Rd. @ ~ M.P. 7.5 and go west for about 4 miles to ~ 11.5 miles to Grauel-Ramapo Rd., which is ~ ¼ mile after crossing Bear Creek. Or can turn around at the picnic table immediately after crossing Bear Creek!
Wed, Nov 13 VOA [Easy to Mod] 5mi ride-$3
Fri, Nov 15 Madison Falls to Whiskey Bend [Easy to Mod] 7-14 / 687'-2051' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5
Hike goes from Madison Falls parking, use Bypass Trail or Water Edge Trail (if safe), pass the Elwha Ranger Station at 2 miles, left up Whiskey Bend Rd. to Glines Canyon Dam at ~ 3.5 mi. Proceed on up to Windy Arm at 4.5 mi. and proceed on up to end of Whiskey Bend Rd. at ~7 miles.
Wed, Nov 20 Disc Golf @ Rainshadow [Easy] 2-4 / 100'-200' N/A ride-$3
We start at “Rainshadow Disc Golf club” No frisbee throwing skills are required, Frisbees will be supplied and instruction will be offered as needed. It’s just for fun, and the course is beautiful and fun to walk if even if you don’t want to play the entire time.
Fri, Nov 22 Lake Angeles [Mod to Diff] 7.5-10.5 / 2500'-3500' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5
Lake Angeles is a very popular & busy, 3.7-mile hike up to a beautiful, 20-acre, alpine lake in a "glacier-sculpted landscape". Parking lot is before the Hurricane Ridge Guard Station and shares parking with the Heather Park T.H. After crossing Ennis Creek at ~ 1 mile, hike continues to climb steadily to the lake. Stop at the lake or proceed up an addtl. ~1.5 miles and ~ 1,000’ to the Lake Angeles Overlook to look down at the lake and be able to see where you have climbed!
Wed, Nov 27 Dungeness Trails from River Road [Easy] 6 / 300'-500' Discover ride-$3
There are a total of about 10-15 miles of multi-use trails and routes in this ~400-acre, multi-use area off of River Rd. & Happy Valley Rd. on DNR & also on some tribal land. The hike will include 6 miles of winding trails in the forest, along irrigation canals and down to the Dungeness River.
Fri, Nov 29 Mt. Walker [Mod to Diff] 5.5-7.2 / 2050'-2145' NW Forest/Golden ride-$5
Although this is a short hike, it is steep & considered Moderate to Difficult! You can hike up the steep 2-miles to Mt. Walker and see the views of Mt. Constance and the Olympics from the 1st viewpoint and then walk ~ a 1/2 mile along the Summit Rd. to the 2nd viewpoint looking towards Puget Sound & Hood Canal and the N. Cascades and then walk down the road on a much gentler grade for 4 miles back to parking.
NOTE: As with any hike, do your own research on a particular hike and assess whether it is of your hiking ability. Always carry your Hiking Essentials and do not rely on others to bring them for you. Thank you!
DISCLAIMER: OTHH assumes no collective or individual liability for any mishaps on any of their hikes or outings. Please use discretion and be safe. Please read the Hazards & Liability section on the Home page of the OTHH website and refer to the link given and agree to the conditions set forth in that document.
WILDERNESS HIKE: One hike listed above (Mt. Townsend to Silver Lake) goes into the Wilderness, so there is a Wilderness Regulation of a limit of 12 in a group. Please honor this and divide up.
EARLY START: Watch for an e-mail from the leader(s) ahead of time indicating what time to meet at the Sequim Safeway Gas Station parking lot.