Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- September, 2026

Wed, September 30 OAT - JP to Whiskey Crk Loop◆︎  [Mod to Diff] 6.5-10.0 / 1,000'-1,800' Discover ride-$5

This is an adventure hike introduced to us by Paul. It is off of the Joyce-Piedmont Rd. where we park. We head East along this trail. There are a variety of loops here, including "Jeff's Tree Trail", Leaf Trail, and one crossing Whiskey Creek. Can have a snack or lunch at a picnic table on the OAT Trail with nice views. Be flexible! Poles and waterproof boots are very helpful.

Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- October, 2026

Fri, October 2 Mink Lake◆︎  [Moderate] 6.0 / 1,550'-1,550' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$7

This trail leaves from Sol Duc Hot Springs. A shelter at Mink Lake allows for a good turn-around point. Fish may be seen jumping in the lake and perhaps some huckleberries will be alongside the trail on your return trip! Rocky, Rooty trail

GPX: available

Wed, October 7 McDonald Creek◆︎  [Easy] 6.0 / 200'-200' N/A ride-$3

It starts Dungeness Spit and goes west to McDonald Creek

GPX: available

Fri, October 9 Griff Creek◆︎  [Mod to Diff] 7.5-8.3 / 1,800'-1,955' N/A ride-$5

The steep trail leaves from behind the Elwha Ranger Station @ ~ 2.1 mi.; & it climbs up, equating to about 1,000’/mile (considered difficult)! At ~1.5 miles, you come to a large rock with your first viewpoint towards Elwha Valley. Less than a ½ mile further, is a 2nd viewpoint--a good turn-around point.

GPX: available

Wed, October 14 Little River◆︎  [Moderate] 7.0-9.0 / 875'-1,745' 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).

GPX: available

Fri, October 16 N. Fork Sol Duc◆︎  [Moderate] 7.0-13.0 / 1,200'-2,247' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$7

This is a quiet hike off of Sol Duc Rd., as it is one of the least used hikes in the Park! It the N. Fork of the Sol Duc River with its scenic pools. Bring water shoes and trekking poles for one major crossing at 1.3 mile. Wed Hike turns around just before steep hill at 3.8 mi.

GPX: available

Wed, October 21 OAT Car Shuttle◆︎  [Easy to Mod] 8.8 / 1,199'-' Discover ride-$5

Adventure Route Car Shuttle begins on Eden Valley Road at the point where the adventure trail crosses it. We’ll hike east from there, take a break at the living room, then continue east on the trail. When we reach Karpen Road we’ll head to the Shuttle cars on the hwy 112.

Fri, October 23 Smokey Bottom - Boulder Creek◆︎  [Easy to Mod] 11.0-11.4 / 1,016'-1,154' 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.

GPX: available

Wed, October 28 Spruce R.R. - West◆︎  [Easy] 4.0-7.5 / 250'-400' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$7

This walk goes from the W. portion of the Spruce R.R. at Lake Crescent and heads from the N. Shore Picnic Area from the Camp David Jr. Rd. turn-off past the Fairholm Store and goes west on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Can have a car at either end and go ~6 miles' one way to parking near Sol Duc Rd. Options here.

GPX: available

Fri, October 30 Mt. Townsend via FS #839◆︎  [Difficult] 8.6-0.0 / 3,000'-' NW Forest/Golden ride-$7

We’re taking the popular southern approach up Mount Townsend via Trail #839! We’ll start at the upper trailhead, and the final stretch of the forest service road has some deep potholes. The first half of the hike climbs steadily through a beautiful, shaded canopy of moss and rhododendrons. After taking a quick breather at Camp Windy to soak in the emerging views, we’ll break past the tree line into wide-open subalpine meadows. The final ridge can be windy and a bit slick with loose gravel, but the 360-degree panoramic payoff at the summit is unmatched

GPX: available

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.