Over-the-Hill Hike Descriptions -- June, 2025
Wed, Jun 4 Heart of the Forest [Easy to Mod] 5-5.5 / 650'-850' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5
Hikers should leave Sequim by 8:30am, and meet at trailhead
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, Jun 6 Dosewallips Cascades [Moderate] 11.4-13.5 / 1200'-1335' NW Forest/Golden ride-$7
This hike is up the Dosewallips River Rd., which turns off before Brinnon. Hike to the Dosewallips Cascades Falls is 5.5 mi. Spring is good time to view falls. Hikers can proceed up to abandoned Ranger Station & Campground another approximate mile, if desired. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dosewallips-river-road-trail
Wed, Jun 11 Place Road to Elwha Beach [Easy] 4-5 / flat'-75' n/a ride-$5
Beach access off of Place Rd. off Hwy. 112. Interesting to see the w. side of the mouth of the Elwha R. and explore the beach seeing where the free-flowing Elwha has gone. "This sandy beach on the Strait was formed after the dams on the Elwha River were removed in 2011 and 2014, gradually releasing many tons of sediment". A fun surprise of driftwood sculptures can be seen like "Lone Guardian" (Mac the dog). One can go to the rt., as well along the west banks of the Elwha. Bring binoculars for any bird watching.
Fri, Jun 13 Mt. Townsend [Difficult] 8-11 / 2100'-3363' NW Forest/Golden ride-$7
May do the less traditional and less busy approach up Mt. Townsend: either the Little Quilcene Trail #835 from over Bon Jon Pass or the Dirty Face Ridge approach across from Tubal Cain. If do the normal approach, climb steadily for 3 mi.; left at Silver Lake junction looking west to Silver Creek Valley at a small gap and then follow couple switchbacks down to valley below and ascend up to Silver Lake. WILDERNESS HIKE: Limit 12
Wed, Jun 18 Spruce RR [Easy] 7-7.5 / 250'-375' Nat'l Park/Golden ride-$5
This is an easy walk along an old Spruce RR grade along Lake Crescent and is part of the ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail). This was named for the spruce transported for military use during WW I. This portion of the trail is popular for its tunnels and the picturesque Devil's Punchbowl.
Fri, Jun 20 Tyler Peak/Baldy [Difficult] 9.13-12.4 / 4475'-5075' NW Forest/Golden ride-$7
This hike has beautiful views and has one of the steepest trails in the Olympics. It can be brutal with one 2.1-mile section gaining 2,700'! If you do both mts., it does add distance!
Wed, Jun 25 Camp Handy [Easy to Mod] 6.5-7.5 / 750'-875' NW Forest/Golden ride-$7
Camp Handy is on the Upper Dungeness River. Park at the Upper Dungeness T.H. Parking lot. Go ~ 1 mile on the trail, crossing Royal Creek on the left over an impressive bridge. Trail parallels the river for the most part. Enjoy old-growth Douglas fir and a green carpet of moss along this trail. Camp Handy is an excellent destination for first-time backpackers, as it is fairly easy to get to.
Fri, Jun 27 Glass Beach from N. Beach/Port Townsend [Easy] 6-8 / 144''-242' ride-$5
Glass Beach is known for its beach glass. ~ 3 miles to McCurdy Point.
Access from North Beach parking lot off of Kuhn St. in Port Townsend. A forked weeder comes in handy if beach glass collection is your thing. There is a nice minus tide around noon which will make much more of the beach accessible.
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.