• Location: Olympic National Park
  • Date: April 21, 2006
  • Major Drainage: Quinault River
  • Minor Drainage: East Fork Quinault River
  • Est. Total Distance: 27 miles
  • Est. Elevation Gain: 1300 feet
  • Viewed: 1742 times

East Fork Quinault

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Enchanted Valley Chalet
Blacktail Buck
Ignar Creek Joining The Quinault
Ignar Creek

Taking advantage of a rare 3-day weekend and beautiful April weather, I headed once again to the western Olympic Peninsula with my mind set on the Enchanted Valley, 13 miles up the East Fork Quinault Trail. On Friday, I packed 10 miles in to set up camp at Pyrites Creek. I'd passed the only other person on the trail, so I knew I'd have the valley to myself the next morning.


Enchanted Valley Chalet
Enchanted Valley Chalet
Mt. Anderson
Upper Oneil Creek
Black Bear
Quinault From Pony Bridge

Saturday, I left most of my gear behind and hiked the last 3.5 miles up to the Chalet. I ate my lunch, poked around a bit and sat in the sun, then headed out. Before I reached my camp, I startled a black bear who climbed about 50 feet up a tree and grunted until I was out of sight. I broke camp shortly after and headed for the trailhead, stopping occasionally to snap a photo.