What are the current conditions in the Banner Alley section?

Banner Alley has been described as having a significant amount of muddy areas that are easily passable as of [March 27](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-30.105146582928). However, one report from [March 22](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-22.151440278306) characterized it as "absolutely the worst" with deep puddles that are hard to navigate around. The trail is also widely brushed, making it enjoyable to hike side by side according to the March 27 report.

Are there any particularly muddy areas to be aware of?

Yes, the Banner Slough area was reported as very muddy, with major mud pits near Trepidation as of [March 13](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-13.172332906538). The Banner Alley section also contains significant muddy areas and deep puddles, according to reports from [March 22](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-22.151440278306) and March 27.

What is the status of trail signage?

One report from [March 16](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-16.184211238302) noted a missing trail sign off of Tunnel Vision, impacting access to Trepidation. It is advisable to have a downloaded trail map, as without one, it would be easy to get lost on the side trails, according to a report from [April 20](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-04-20.152117425882).

What is the condition of the trail edges?

The edge of the Trepidation trail has hedge-like brush that touches you as you pass, as noted on [March 16](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-16.184211238302). While some muddy areas are present, they are mostly passable around the edges, with even the worst sections not being deep puddles, as of [April 20](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-04-20.152117425882).

Banner Forest

Olympic Peninsula

updated 5 months ago

Banner Forest presents a muddy experience, particularly in the Banner Alley section, with deep puddles reported on March 22 and significant muddy areas on March 27. The trails are generally brushed, allowing for side-by-side hiking in areas like Banner Alley as of March 27, though some sections, such as Trepidation, have hedge-like brush encroaching on the trail edge as of March 16. Some trails may require a map to navigate effectively, as noted on April 20.

Generated from 11 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about Banner Forest

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

No trip reports on this trail in 5 months, so everything below is at least that old.

Banner Alley has been described as having a significant amount of muddy areas that are easily passable as of March 27. However, one report from March 22 characterized it as "absolutely the worst" with deep puddles that are hard to navigate around. The trail is also widely brushed, making it enjoyable to hike side by side according to the March 27 report.