Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- Oct, 2025  

Wed, Oct 22 Heart of the Forest◆︎  [Easy to Mod] 5-5.5 / 650'-850' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5

This is a pleasant nature trail leaving from Loop "E" in the Heart of the Hills Campground @ ~ 1,400'. It offers beautiful, old-growth trees, plenty of fern varieties, and other flora in a rainforest-type ecosystem.  While hiking on this trail, carefully cross puncheon walkways, as they can be slippery.  Hikers go to a big, fallen tree above Lake Creek, which makes a good turn-around point before leaving the Natl. Park boundary.

Fri, Oct 24 Elbo Creek / Buck Mountain◆︎  [Mod to Diff] 9.3-9.6 / 2824'-2925' NW Forest/Golden ride-$5

This is a moderately difficult hike, especially the first 2.5 miles and then becomes moderate after that point hiking along a F.S. road. There are a couple of viewpoints at ~ the 4-mile mark (Mt. Jupiter, Constance, & the Brothers) and at ~ the 4.5-mile mark, can get views towards Hood Canal & the Cascades. Then, one can continue on up to a cell tower up on Buck Mt. Then, there is a “goat trail” up to a cliff edge for even better views.

Wed, Oct 29 Larry Scott Trail--Milo Curry  [Easy] 7.3-7.5 / 350'-400' Discover ride-$5

Can go from Milo Curry T.H. near 4-Corners to Cape George off of Discovery Rd. near Port Townsend and return while passing through horse country and pleasant surroundings! The Larry Scott Trail is to be the beginning of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) and is also part of the Pacific N.W. Scenic Trail!  Total Larry Scott Trail is ~7.3 mi. one way.  It is named for a Port Townsend resident and cycling enthusiast who played an important part in the trail.  

Fri, Oct 31 Heather Park / Pass◆︎  [Mod to Diff] 8.4-10 / 3600'-3950' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5

Hike starts at same parking lot as the Lake Angeles hike. Trail climbs a steep ridge; passes 1/2-Way Rock (not quite 1/2 way) @ 2.2 mi.!  Pass an old stone fireplace structure built in 1938 (Heather Park Forest Camp) on a side trail @ 5,300'. Go through a sub-alpine, heather basin known as Heather Park @ ~ 4.1 mi. w/creek and campsites.  Go by a prominent pinnacle known as 2nd Top. Make final climb to Heather Pass for good views of the Strait and Mt. Olympus.

Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- Nov, 2025

Wed, Nov 5      Gibbs Lake County Park  [Easy]      5-6 / 250'-500' n/a             ride-$5

There are many loops & hiking options here. One popular route is around the lake in this 700-acre County Park in Jefferson County. The Walt Hoffman Trail (with peekaboo views of the 90-acre lake) & possible add-ons of Jack’s Track Trail, Springboard, Ameri-Corps, Scout's Trail add a nice variety.  There is a convenient picnic table and restroom at the lake for a snack and lunch. 

Fri, Nov 7          Boulder Creek◆︎  [Easy to Mod]            11-11.4 / 1016'-1154'             Nat'l Park/Golden        ride-$5

Hikers depart from Madison Falls along the old roadbed and bypass up to Glines Canyon Dam, which is ~ 3.75 miles.  The Smokey Bottom Trail departs just west of the dam along the shoreline and in the old Lake Mills lakebed.  Spring (late May) is a good time to see some native flowers that were planted during the Elwha Revegetation Project like lupine, Nootka roses, Oregon sunshine, etc.

Wed, Nov 12    Little River◆︎  [Moderate]      7-9 / 875'-1745'             Discover           ride-$5

This is a hike close to Port Angeles off of the Black Diamond Rd. The trail enters Natl. Park at about 1.2 miles. This used to be a historical trail leading to mines. You will pass by rock walls, old growth trees, and cross log bridges across the S. Branch of the Little River about 5-7 times and can end up at a log bridge (with a rope for support).

Fri, Nov 14       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.

Wed, Nov 19    Voice of America/Dungeness Recreation Area  [Easy]   4-5.2 / 300'-450'          Nat'l Park/Golden    ride-$3

We will access the trails from the parking area (about 164' above sea level), near the entrance of this County Park off of Voice of America Rd.  We will walk along the bluff, view the Spit from the viewing area, down to the beach, up by the Wildlife Refuge Office, to a picnic table viewing the Olympics, through the meadow, & follow a network of other trails in this popular County Park, including seeing the largest yew tree in Clallam County!

Fri, Nov 21       Kloshe Nanitch  [Mod to Diff] 6-6.4 / 2352'-2410'             Discover           ride-$7

Hike before Forks and south of Mt. Muller on Snider Ridge.  Follow Sol Duc River for short distance (~ 1/4 mi.) before heading up on the trail, which climbs steadily through ~ 30 switchbacks & crossing 3 small creeks.  On a clear day, it offers fabulous views of Sol Duc Valley, Mt. Appleton, Mt. Tom, & Mt. Olympus from a viewing platform that used to be a fire lookout tower until 1965 & then a replica from 1996-2012.  Kloshe Nanitch is Chinook for "standing guard".  Go up to the platform, up a road, and then do a loop to N. Point and back around to the trail. 

Wed, Nov 26    Cassidy Creek (Bike)  [Moderate]      4-5 / 400'-500'             Discover           ride-$3

This is a road hike on DNR land off of Atterbury Rd. and is an out-and-back hike. Has a loop around Mcdonald Creek.  Has hair Ice if temps 30-32F.

Fri, Nov 28       Pack trail from Herrick road◆︎  [Mod to Diff]   9.7 / 1890'             Nat'l Park/Golden        ride-$5

The old Olympic Hot Springs Pack Trail was established in 1908. We will begin our hike at Herrick Road and take the West Elwha River Trail. But for this hike we’ll take the Olympic Hot Springs Pack trail located about 2.5 miles from the cars that’s just beyond a small un-bridged creek.  We turn off at the clearly evident and recently cleaned-up trail, which is marked a little way up by a wooden sign. The trail runs about 2 miles (1,125 ft. elevation gain) through a lovely forest and gradually ascends, turns, and then continues down to meet Olympic Hot Springs Road just above the Glines Canyon Dam site. We will have lunch at the Dam then we will return via the usual West Elwha route passing through the old Altair Campground.                           

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: Any hike with a ◆︎ 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 Public parking lot.