Skyline

Olympic Peninsula

updated 2 weeks ago

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.

What hikers ask about Skyline

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.

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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.

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Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

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...

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

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...

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...

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 ...

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

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...

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...

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

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...

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...

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

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...