Mount Ellinor
6 days ago
Snowfields to cross, icy patches
4 this month · 157 reports
Big Creek
Olympic Peninsula
updated 1 week ago
Big Creek's trails are in excellent condition, with no snow reported since August 26. The roads are suitable for all vehicles, and there are no bug concerns. Recent reports from October 31 and October 21 indicate the trails are well-maintained and snow-free. Hikers have noted an abundance of mushrooms, particularly in October and September. The trail to Mt. Ellinor, accessed via Big Creek, features particularly steep, stair-like sections made of rocks and logs in its upper reaches, as noted on September 27.
Generated from 64 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Big Creek
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The trail is generally in good condition, but the last two miles to the summit are very steep and feature stairs made of large rocks and logs, making it strenuous. This section was noted on September 27.
Most reports indicate the trails are well-maintained with few obstacles. One report from September 6 mentioned a minor washout at the Big Creek crossing which was well-marked and easily scrambled over.
Crowds seem to vary. One report from September 27 noted only 6 cars in the parking lot by late afternoon, while another from October 9 mentioned encountering only half a dozen people on the Mt. Ellinor trail and few parties returning to Big Creek. On September 6, the Irely Lake trailhead was almost full, but the trails seemed empty.
The road is paved to the campground, and reports from September 27 and earlier indicate it is suitable for all vehicles, with no mention of rough patches or impassable sections in recent reports.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
This is a well maintained trail... I found that like in the book going clockwise on this loop is easier on the knees going down... Didn't do any of the detours this time... Will go back to see the Mt ...
Recent2 weeks ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
In a nutshell, my trip today was mostly wet and mostly cold. But I did have a wonderful day! And, I suspect those starting a bit later may have actually gotten some decent summit views.I began my out ...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
Did Mt. Ellinor from Big Creek today, which was a nice change. I rolled into a sleepy Big Creek at 7 am this morning and parked in the lot on the left shortly after you pass the gate. The Olympics see...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
The pro – and con – of having a 20-year-old car that can’t handle unpaved roads is that if you’re going to climb a mountain, you have to climb the whole thing yourself. I started my hike up Mt. Ellino...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
I camped at Staircase on Saturday, September 12, with a friend and our dogs. I’ve hiked all the way up the Skokomish before the Bear Gulch fire, but I’d never actually seen the campground. It’s a wond...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
Really nice trail. Well maintained. Gorgeous giant mossy trees, big bushy ferns. A few peekaboo views of the mountains around. Babbling creek runs close by the whole time.
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
This was supposed to be my week doing the full Wonderland Trail at Mt. Rainier, after years of trying to get a permit for the complete loop. Sadly, the Garda fire cancelled that plan. So, where to g...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
Really lovely trail - well maintained and signed, with lots of benches and wooden foot bridges. We went counterclockwise and the first half leading up to the viewpoint felt strenuous for us, but the s...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
If you're not a 3000-vertical-feet hiker, then this loop and the 2-mile Staircase Rapids loop are pretty much the only hiking game in town right now when staying at Lake Cushman. As such, it is what i...