Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
1 week ago
Fall color is stunning, valley teeming with yellows and reds
3 this month · 41 reports
Irely Lake
Olympic Peninsula
updated 4 weeks ago
Recent reports indicate that Irely Lake trail conditions are generally good, with ongoing trail maintenance noted throughout the summer. However, the trail is described as "primitive" and can be overgrown in places, with muddy sections and downed trees occasionally posing minor obstacles. Notably, a significant event of thousands of tiny western toadlets migrating across the trail was observed near Irely Lake on July 16. The road access is generally suitable for all vehicles, though one report from July 7 recommended high clearance only. Snow-free conditions are consistent across all reports from July 7 to August 27.
Generated from 13 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Irely Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 4 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 4 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.
While trail maintenance is ongoing, some sections can be overgrown and muddy. Downed trees are noted as occasional obstacles, and one report from August 27 mentioned a bridge out. Another report from August 15 described multiple downed trees on a steep scree slope that required hikers to remove their backpacks to pass under one uncut tree.
Bears have been reported in the vicinity of Lake Beauty and Three Lakes. On July 16, hundreds of thousands of tiny western toadlets were observed migrating across the trail near Irely Lake, and hikers were advised to be extra careful. Bugs were generally not a major issue, though one report from July 7 mentioned they were an annoyance.
Rain pants are highly recommended due to moist foliage, even without rain, as reported on August 27. Having a GPS app like Gaia or CalTopo is also suggested for route-finding on this primitive trail. Be mindful of the western toadlet migration, as seen on July 16, and tread carefully through that area.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent4 weeks ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
We successfully completed the Skyline Trail in 3 nights/4 days! I did not find this trail particularly challenging or scary, although it is definitely “primitive.” But my background is in cross-countr...
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
This was a 7 day Olympic traverse from Irely Lakes Trailhead via Big Creek and the Skyline Trails, through Low Divide to the Elwha, over Hayden pass down the Dosewallips to Constance Pass, past Home L...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Clockwise loop: Irely Lake, Three Lakes, Skyline to Elip Connector, Elip Creek to Wolf Bar, North Fork Trailhead.Not much to add from what others have said. Enormous gratitude for all the recent (and ...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
CCW Loop of North Fork Quinault, Skyline and Big Creek Trails5 days, July 20–24, 2026 | ~49.6 miles totalDay 1 (7.2 mi, +714'):Irely Lake TH → Elip Creek Camp. Started with a road walk to the North Fo...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Sad, unsuccessful attempt at the Skyline Trail.The section of trail that had been closed after the 2023 fire finally reopened at the end of last hiking season, but we never got a chance to hike it bef...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
This report should be taken in the context that I'm older than the average hiker and that this was the last hike on my quest to finish every major trail in the ONP.Day 0: Met Phil, a college friend I ...
Older4 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
This is a true iykyk of the Olympic Rainforests. At 45 minutes from US-101, we were the only souls on the trail, finding total solitude amongst the old growth. Given its remoteness and position upon a...
Older4 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
DO NOT drive from the South Shore rd, you need to drive in from the North Shore road, which has a long stretch of gravel which has some rough spots for a standard car to navigate. This trail has lots ...
Older5 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
No hike today only reconnoitering the north shore road accessBig Creek continues to try to obliterate the road not sure why park service didn’t do a more thorough job of armoring the bankTemporary bri...
Older5 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Honestly, we were on our way to the North Fork trail, so didn’t hike this trail - but wanted to say that the North Shore road is now open! We talked to a ranger who let us know that it’s now open (and...