[tigermn]

Mt. Ellinor Lower Trail route.

All Photos Well this one has been on my list but I wanted to avoid crowds. In fact I took last Friday off but the weather sucked so I went elsewhere. Well it was probably now or never. As hard it is may seem to believe (even for me), this was my first hike in the Olympics ever. Took the 103 mile and some change drive out leaving shortly after 6AM. It was 27 degrees in Shelton and only 30 at Hoodsport. At least it was daylight now. The roads are in very good shape. 25mph not a problem to pretty much maintain except on a few corners.

First road to Ellinor Trailhead. Plenty wide enough. FS road #24 where the road forks and the pavement ends.

vStart of Ellinor Trailhead road #2419 as you turn left.

Reached the lower trailhead about 08:30AM. It was cold but not as cold as I had feared.

View back to Southeast from lower Ellinor trailhead parking area.

Lower Mt. Ellinor Trailhead.

Lower Mt Ellinor trail starts just to the left about 100 feet ahead.

Official lower Mt. Ellinor trailhead just a ways up from road. Sign in here.

After too much futzing around I was on the trail shortly before 9AM. Interestingly enough I had trouble finding the start of the trail until I looked at the map and realized it was across the road and up a little further.

Start of lower Mt Ellinor trail.

Trail starts here on other side of road about 100 feet or so up road from parking area sign

Oh well, the lower trail portion was deserted and a nice warm up.

Very early peek a boo views towards Mt Washington/Ellinor from lower trail.

Shortly up you reach a junction with the Big Creek trail. This is the real man's way up I guess. Adding another 6 miles round trip and about 1800 feet of gain.

Junction with Big Creek Campground trail.

Along the way a few teaser views.

Early views from lower Ellinor trail.

Early views in general direction of Mt. Washington from lower Ellinor trail.

Early views in general direction of Mt. Washington from lower Ellinor trail.

Early views in general direction of Mt. Washington from lower Ellinor trail.

After some pretty nice walking in the woods, you meet up with where the masses come from on the upper trailhead. I was starting to see some snow now.

First signs of snow on lower Mt. Ellinor trail.

Major junction with upper trailhead etc.

Shortly past the junction there were some pretty icy spots on the trail. Luckily I had thrown my Kahtoola microspikes in as an afterthought. The trail starts to get steeper just past the upper trailhead junction. The beauty is when it gets steep, they built steps, so it isn't a roots/rocks and ladders affair.

Upper Ellinor trail. When it gets steep steps are provided.

Trail starting to get a bit crusty.

Junction to somewhere?

A few peekaboo views and a few icy spots in this area.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

The trail then swings around and goes through the rocks/boulders. Still have no fear, the trail is well constructed and when needed, rocks are strategically places as stepping stones. The Flintstones would be proud.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

Man made Rock steps on upper Mt. Ellinor trail.

Some better views emerge as well as a plaque but the best is yet to come.

Memorial right before rocky area starts Ellinor trail.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

A few peek a boos from upper trail before getting to rocky section.

Views on way up Mt. Ellinor trail.

Views on way up Mt. Ellinor trail.

Once more in the open the icy spots were fewer until hitting the last part past the staircase to the sky. On the way up (and from the summit) you can see the lazy person's parking area.

Upper trailhead parking area for Mt. Ellinor trail on way up rocky section.

After making way up the boulders (again well constructed) you hit the gully (winter route) but continue up the staircase of wood, rocks and rebar.

Nearing gully Mt. Ellinor trail.

Trail continues up to left. Gully to right.

Stairway to heaven. Mt. Ellinor trail. Complete with rebar reinforcements.

Gullly/winter route up Mt. Ellinor.

You reach a notch and now are getting close

Looking back down stairway to heaven from notch.

Views from notch at top of stairway to heaven.

Views from notch at top of stairway to heaven.

After a short time you arrive on the summit. There were a few people around, but I was alone for a while. Another person passed by and later two more hung out. A few random summit shots. All 5 volcanos, Baker, Glacier, Rainier, Adams, and St Helens were visible in varying degrees. It wasn't he clearest day to see Seattle, but it was there. My camera didn't want to focus well zoomed in at a distance so I didn't get all the pictures I wanted.

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit.

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit.

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit - Mt. Washington

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit.

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit.

Views from Mt. Ellinor summit.

Baker from Ellinor summit.

Rainier from Ellinor summit.

Baker from Ellinor summit.

Area near top of gully ascent between Ellinor and Washington.

Person on summit of Mt. Washington.

After about 50 minutes or so it was time to head down. Surprisingly there was zero wind and I didn't have to add clothing other than a baseball cap to keep some heat in. Shortly below the summit saw some wildlife.

Grouse? coming down Ellinor trail.

Grouse? coming down Ellinor trail.

Grouse? coming down Ellinor trail.

As expected the crowds picked up with people parading up as I was coming down.

Down the stairway to heaven on Ellinor trail. Getting more crowded.

Plenty of steps/rebar and chicken wire used on stairway to heaven.

More people coming up just before stairway to heaven section.

Views going down Ellinor trail.

Views going down Ellinor trail.

No poodles but this was interesting....or at least somewhat amusing. It was I suspect a subset of the usual summer weekend crowds. I wouldn't want to be near this place on a nice summer Saturday. Definitely weekdays.

Yes that is a small dog in a front carrier. No poodles though.

Hikers wearing jeans on way down Ellinor.

Once I passed the upper trailhead junction the crowds went way down. Only saw a couple of people coming up the way I did.

Views back up towards Washington from lower Ellinor trail.

Views back up towards Washington from lower Ellinor trail.

Trail/stairway to heaven can be seen in distance from lower Ellinor trail.

Ellinor from lower Ellinor trail.

Back at the parking lot more than the two cars when I left but far less than the upper trailhead.

Lower trailhead parking at conclusion of hike.

All in all a great fall hike. Not much for fall colors but oh well. A taste of snow and a reminder how much I love my Kahtoola microspikes.

[Tim and Angel]

This has to be the most "complete" trip report I have ever read. I think you covered everything. Thanks for posting this. Nice pictures! This will be on my to do list next year.

[EastKing]

Looked like a great trip. Great TR and photos.

[Bedivere]

Sweet pictures! I climb Ellinore pretty much every spring when there's still lots of snow on it, then ski down. Never been up there in the summer after the snow's gone.

[tigermn]

It was a great trip even from the drive to and from the trailhead. I'm sure glad I took the microspikes although it would have been doable without based on the fact that I didn't see anyone else with traction devices. I did hear a couple of people (coming up when I was coming down) say they had almost fallen/slipped in a couple of spots. Since I had a blister problem so I wore my old worn down trail shoes which without traction devices are next to useless on snow/ice. The summit area also was covered with a thin layer of hard packed snow/ice that wasn't especially slippery but confirmed for sure if there was any doubt that summer was over.

[Curtissimo]

nice work i am surprised how muc hless snow there was than on our trip up near Steven's Pass, however. We must have just been in a snow bowl, I guess.

[tigermn]

[puzzlr]

[tigermn]

[Malachai Constant]

Well it says it is a unique place, kind of like the Oregon Vortex. you can be at 4 different places simultaneously kind of like an electron.