Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
Fall color is stunning, valley teeming with yellows and reds
3 this month · 41 reports
Olympic Peninsula
The Skyline Trail presents a mixed bag of conditions as of September 9. While some sections have seen recent maintenance, notably on the North Fork Quinault, other areas remain challenging. Expect significant overgrowth and erosion, particularly between Kimta Peak and the Promise Creek basin, as reported on September 5. Water crossings, though manageable due to low water levels in early September, can become difficult. The bridge at Big Creek is out as of September 5, but it's noted as workable before the rains. The road to the trailhead is generally described as passable but rough, with one report from September 5 calling it a "potholed atrocity."
Generated from 12 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 2 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The trail is significantly overgrown in many sections, especially from Kimta Peak to the Promise Creek basin, as of September 5. Hikers should also expect downed trees and muddy or wet sections. Reports from September 9 and August 27 also mention overgrown sections and trees down across the trail.
The bridge at Big Creek is reported as out as of September 5. However, it was noted as workable before the return of the rainy season.
The road to the trailhead is generally described as passable but rough, with reports from September 5 and August 27 stating it is rough but passable. However, one report from July 7 recommends high clearance vehicles only.
As of September 9, the infamous river crossing just before 16 Mile camp was a very easy crossing due to low water. However, other reports from August 27 and July 20 mention difficult stream crossings and fords that may require careful navigation.
Fall color is stunning, valley teeming with yellows and reds
3 this month · 41 reports
Thick, oozy mud on the trail
3 this month · 41 reports
Trees grow in wild, unorthodox ways
3 this month · 22 reports
The trail is immaculate, brushed and green
2 this month · 33 reports
Hornet nests and smooth trail await
2 this month · 25 reports
Swarms of mosquitos made it difficult to relax
2 this month · 18 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Thanks to all the NP trail crews that have done work through out the Quinault area. We saw and heard about clearing on North Fork Quinault, Elip Creek Trail and soon to be done work on Martins Lake a...
Labor Day weekend run of the Skyline loop in Olympic NP, a few weeks early for the Fall elk rut. The Skyline trail is in rough shape; where there used to be one good death ledge, now there are severa...
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...
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...
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 ...
Day 1-8/7/26 Irely Lake Trailhead to Elip Creek (counter clockwise)Beautiful foliage and easy to navigate trail to Elip Creek. Privy is okay condition but on the opposite side of the creek from campsi...
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...
Beautiful hike on the wet side of the Olympics. With the long drive to the Quinault we chose a 6 day itinerary with camps at Elip Creek, Low divide, Lake Beauty, Kimta Peak and Three lakes. We had dry...
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...
Itinerary, starting at North Fork Quinault: Day 1 to Trapper Shelter > Day 2 to Lake Beauty > Day to 3 Prunes > Day 4 OutOverview - VERY HARD! Very steep. Lots of bushwhacking and climbing over downe...