Trail Guide

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Mount Townsend
(The Olympics)


Chris Hawley
The hike begins in a somewhat open forest with tall rhodies (in bloom in early summer) and has 6 moderate switchbacks. After the switchbacks, the trail continues to ascend at a pretty good clip, and if not for the shade offered by the forest, the first couple miles could be brutal. As the trail ascends further, some views start to open up toward the south across the canyon cut by Townsend Creek. Eventually, the trail leaves the dark forest entirely, moving into an area dominated by subalpine fir, and quite a few meadows (hiking this stretch in early summer will produce quite a display of color). As the trail switches back some more at a gentler incline, the trees get shorter and shorter; eventually, nearing the top of the ridge, vegetation consists mostly of krummholz and tundra plants. During this stretch of trail, the views are tremendous to the south and east. On a clear day, the skyscrapers of downtown Seattle can be seen without difficulty, and Mount Rainier peeks around a ridge on more than one occasion. The last push to the summit ridge could be a little rough, though quite short, as the trail steepens enough to get the heart pumping a bit faster. Once the summit ridge is attained, the views are incredible. Following a spur trail to the right, you can ascend the south summit (elev 6280'), or continue about 0.5mi further to another short spur to the lower north summit (6212') and linger for lunch while taking in the views that stretch for miles in all directions. To the south, Mount Constance and The Brothers can be discerned. To the southeast lie the heart of the Olympic Mountains. To the west (and down) is the Dungeness river valley. To the north and nortwest, one can see the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the mountains of Vancouver Island. To the northeast, the Hood Canal Bridge and Mount Baker can be seen with ease. And almost directly east there is Glacier Peak and more of the cascades.

All in all, this hike is well worth the effort. If you choose to hike this on a summer weekend, however, arrive early to avoid having to park further down the gravel road that leads to the trailhead. However if it is solitude you seek, go elsewhere, for even in spring this is a busy trail.
[edit]


Chris Hawley
Driving Directions:
Drive US 101 a short distance south from Quilcene to Penny Creek road. (this is just north of the highway's bridge over the Big Quilcene river) as the road splits, take the left fork, which becomes FS Road 27. When the road enters Olympic National Forest, the surfaces changes from 2-lane gravel to very nice 1-lane paved. Continue ascending via FS 27 until you reach a spur road signed "Mount Townsend Trail" - Ignore this road unless you want a longer hike - hiking from that lower trailhead will add about a mile and 400 feet to your hike. continue on FS 27 for about one mile ahead to another fork, and take the gravel road to the left (FS 27 continues to ascend to the right). The trailhead (probably very crowded at midday on a summer weekend) marks the end of the gravel spur. Take care to note any special conditions that may be posted on the trailhead bulletin board.
[edit]
Statistics
Distance: 8.5 mi r/t
Time: 3-6h r/t
Elevation Gain in: 2880 ft
Elevation Gain out: 80 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 3400 ft
Maximum Elevation: 6280 ft
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Trails (Click for reports)
MT TOWNSEND #839

Suggested Seasons
Spring
Summer
Fall
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Users
Hikers
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Author's Ratings
Usage: Heavy
Difficulty: Moderate
Rating: Pretty good
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Attractions
Campsites
Meadow
Old Growth
Ridge
Summit
Views
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Maps & Books
USGS Mount Townsend
100 Hikes in Washington: Olympic Penninsula and South Cascades
Complete Guide to Northwest Hiking
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maps are available through our
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Written by
Ryan (Out of Shape)
Jul 04, 2001

Trailhead Location is Latitude 47:51.382 N by Longitude 123:02.072 W [edit]

Note: positions are PDA (pretty-damn-approximate)
CRGNSA - Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, CNF - Colville National Forest, GPNF - Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, MBSNF - Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, MRNP - Mount Rainier National Park, MSHNVM - Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, NCNP - North Cascades National Park, ONF - Olympic National Forest, ONP - Olympic National Park, WNF - Wenatchee National Forest, UNF - Umatilla National Forest