[RodF]

This trail-less-travelled provides a dayhike into a series of the most verdant subalpine meadows to be found anywhere in the Olympics, filled with wildflowers and grasses knee, waist and sometimes chest high. Robert L. Wood's "Olympic Mountains Trail Guide" provides an accurate description. Those seeking a paved trail, and the enjoyment of chats with many visitors from around the world, may prefer the Hurricane Hill trail; Cox Valley is its antithesis. The trailhead is on Obstruction Point Road, 0.6 miles from its gate at the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center parking lot. Parking is available 100 yards past the trailhead for one or two cars. It has been only irregularly maintained for the first 1.7 miles, so involves some route-finding and scrambling over windfalls and through brush. The November, 2007 windstorm broke many trees along the road and upper switchbacks of this trail; these windfall were cleared, but it appears not much has been done since. Entering the first meadow at the base of the switchbacks, the trail disappears - look to the right for cut logs and a metal tag.

0.4 miles: in first meadow at base of switchbacks, look right for cut logs

0.5 tag on standing snag

0.7 post with flag at entrance to second meadow

At the end of each meadow (six, by my count), a keen eye for cut logs and metal tags on a few of the standing trees (or, more often, windfalls) is required to locate the route, through the forest of Alaska cedar and subalpine and silver fir, to the next meadow.

1 Mile sign

1.1 third, large meadow

1.2 cairn

1.3 many cut logs

1.6 stream crossing

At 1.7 miles, one enters the largest meadow, where A. E. Cox built has cabin and barn. We found no trace of either structure. It appears young Alaska cedar are actively invading the meadow, so perhaps the site and any cut stumps might now be hidden within the forest?

1.7 Norm searching for Cox cabin

1.7 Cox meadow

Beyond 1.7 miles, the route has not been maintained in decades, and becomes ever more challenging to find. A good topo map of the old trail is necessary. Gloves might be useful, as there are many windfall to scramble over. Two or more pairs of sharp eyes are helpful to widen the search.

1.8 tag on fallen tree at Morse Creek crossing

2.1 tag near bend of trail south of Morse Creek. definite tread leading NE.

Metal tags end at mile 2.1, and one is left hunting for the occasional cut log, often covered by more recent, uncut, windfall. Two more long meadows, and a miniature "pocket" meadow, lie along this route. The forest becomes dominated by mountain hemlock, with a some large Doug fir and even a few Grand fir.

2.2 second,larger meadow south of Morse Creek

2.2 second, larger meadow south of Morse Creek

2.3 pocket meadow, south of Morse Creek, west of Wells creek

We followed the route past the stream draining Wells Valley (mile 2.6) to the second crossing of Morse Creek (mile 3.0). Persistence is required, as we only found cut logs every quarter-mile, and a few old bits of orange flagging tape.

2.6 confluence Wells Creek and Morse Creek

3.0 second crossing of Morse Creek, hidden beneath alder

Only a few selected "scenic" photos are posted here. Dozens more "route finding" photos of cut logs and tags are posted on Picasa. The next 3 miles of trail might be easier to locate, as it lies on south-facing slopes, high above the Morse Creek, and sections of it lie at the base of well-defined steeper slopes above. This is only speculation, as there may be lots of brush and windfall... has anyone explored the route? It may be possible to drop off Hurricane Ridge Road at 3900 ft elevation and intercept the Cox Trail at 3700 ft elevation, 4 miles below the trailhead? This is point where its route is closest to the road. History. Gail Evans' 1983 Historic Resource Study says:

[Phil]

Beautiful! Never heard of that place... thanks for sharing.

[IanB]

Interesting detective work Rod.

[cascadetraverser]

Rod: I am alway impressed by your thorough and historically relevant TRs as well as your willingness to travel to unique places. Thanks alot for another great TR!

[FrogFarm]

Wow! What an amazing trip! I always learn so much about the Olympics from your trip reports. Thank you for taking the time to put together so much wonderful information!

[Magellan]

Amazing trip back in time Thanks Rod!

[Ski]

[ethorson]

Thanks for the fascinating report Rod. Do you think any of the meadows are visible from the Hurricane Ridge road?

[bobbi]

I have actually been to Cox Valley many many years ago! The markers helped us then and good to know that it's still there for you! We explored the area until I got into some nettles Thanks for the history lesson

[RodF]

Over the past two years, friend Norm and I have cleared, brushed and re-opened the Cox Valley trail for 1.8 miles to the Cox homestead meadow. The previously difficult bushwacks through salmonberry are now gone, and it's a pleasant hike gradually descending through a series of meadows along the headwaters of Morse Creek. Visiting yesterday, I was glad to see a few bootprints, still outnumbered by the hoofprints of elk and deer and bear signs along the trail. Although only 2 miles from the crowds at the other Hurricane Ridge trailheads, it offers solitude - I've never seen another car at the trailhead, nor met another hiker there. The wildflower meadows are poised to explode into bloom in about 2 or 3 weeks. Late June would be an ideal time to see it The trail disappears in the verdant meadows it passes through. Look carefully for the old metal snow course / trail markers in the trees, marking where it enters and leaves each meadow.

flag entering Cox meadow

deer in meadow

In addition to the wildflowers, the payoff for this hike is to view the oldest dated arborglyph in Olympic National Park. Dated Sep. 24, 1887, less than 2 years after Lt. Joseph P. O'Neil opened the Mt. Angeles trail, providing access to Hurricane Ridge. To find it, entering the Cox homestead meadow, look to the left for the grove of Alaska cedar in which Cox built his barn.

Cox Ranch

Cox grove today

1887 arborglyph

Historic Cox Ranch photo courtesy of Russ Dalton, NPS. Nothing of the cabin, and only a few nails, notches and ledger boards and one rusty flashing nailed up in the Alaska cedar grove remain of the barn today.