Tunnel Creek Trail - Oly Peninsula: WTA Work Party

Hood Canal Ranger District
This work party starts at 8:30AM

Olympic National Forest. This hiker-only trail traverses the Buckhorn Wilderness, climbing to Fifty-Fifty Pass at 5050 feet at the head of the South Fork of Tunnel Creek. The work will include clearing, tread work and general trail maintenance on the beginning portion of the trail.

In the Olympic National Forest. Hikers only, 7.3 miles one way. This route traverses the Buckhorn Wilderness, climbing to Fifty-Fifty Pass at 5050 feet at the head of the South Fork of Tunnel Creek. At first the trail parallels Tunnel Creek, ascending through hemlock forest as it traverses above the stream. Passing Camp Monk at 0.5 mils the path veers away from the creek and climbs through an impressive old-growth forest. At Tunnel Creek Shelter, the going gets rough. As the trail starts switchbacking, it crosses the creek as it climbs steeply to Harrison Lake. Above the lake the trial becomes steeper and rockier as it climbs the shaded north slope, coming out at the divide, where outstanding views of Mount Constance can be had. At Fifty-Fifty Pass (4.1 miles, 5050 feet), The Brothers can be viewed along with Mt. Rainier and the Dosewallips Valley. Beyond the divide, the trail descends rapidly to the Dosewallips River, losing a mile in elevation in just over three miles.

Driving directions:
WE WILL BE MEETING AT THE QUILCENE RANGER STATION AT 8:30 AM. You will want to catch the 7:10 ferry at Edmonds to go to Kingston. The ranger station is 40 minutes from the ferry dock at Kingston . Follow Highway 104 from Kingston to the Hood Canal Bridge. There is a right turn at a stop light a couple miles out of Kingston signed Port Gamble. Drive across the Hood Canal Bridge, continuing west on US 104. At about 19.9 miles from the ferry dock is a sign for Pt. Townsend/Quilcene. It is followed quickly by a sign for the Olympic Music Festival. After this sign turn right and cross under Highway 104. This road ends in 11 miles in Quilcene at an intersection with Highway 101. Turn left or south on US 101, into Quilcene. The ranger station is located on the north side of Hwy 101 as it leaves Quilcene heading south. (Driving and ferry time from Edmonds: approximately 1.15 hour.)