Upper Big Quilcene Trail

Mileage - 5.3
Elevation Start - 2500'
Elevation End - 6000'
Elevation High Point - 6000'
Map - Buckhorn Wilderness Custom Correct Map
Best Seasons - Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty - Difficult

Lowland forest to Alpine Meadows. Situated in the Buckhorn Wilderness in the rain shadow or leeward northeastern Olympic Mountains, this trail often melts out sooner than much of the interior Olympic trails. That, and the trail's relatively close proximity to the Kitsap peninsula make the sometimes steep Upper Big Quilcene Trail that leads up to Marmot Pass a local favorite. The trailhead, which is also the upper end of the Lower Big Quilcene Trail, starts near the Ten Mile Shelter. There is primitive camping here, as well as at Shelter Rock Camp at 2.6 miles and Camp Mystery at 4.7 miles. Once past Camp Mystery at about 4.8 miles, the trail breaks out into alpine meadows and one walks through a beautiful alpine basin just below Marmot Pass. At the pass, the trail ends at a junction with the Upper Dungeness Trail and the Tubal Cain Trail. The views from the pass are nothing less than spectacular. With the Big Quilcene river valley behind, one can look out across the Dungeness River valley to the east and see Mount Mystery, Mount Fricaba, Mount Deception and the Needles just to name a few. Strong hikers that want even more of a challenge, can reach Buckhorn Mountain from here via a way trail to the north, however caution should be exercised if going this route since this is an unmaintained boot trail. Reaching the top of Buckhorn will require another 800 feet of steep elevation gain but is well worth the effort with the views obtained.