[HumpnoocheeGirl]

We went to Wynoochee Pass on Sunday. What a pleasant trip compared to our last trip there in 2013. The trail has been nicely cleared of logs and limbs as well as some tread repair. I am seeking the individuals responsible so as to give my thanks and appreciation. It had rained the day before, so the forest was perfectly refreshed. Most of this trail is under beautiful forest canopy and there was gorgeous green all around. A nice change to the dried up tundra of the lowlands. This is Olympic National Forest trail #874. The trailhead is in the ONF, and then travels into the Olympic National Park after .3 mile. We continued past the Pass just a bit, where the ponds are, and dropped into the Graves Creek drainage to locate the Way Trail to Sundown Lake - found it We will be coming back to overnight at Sundown Lake in a couple of weeks. Also, we were happy to find water availability good along this portion.

back country permit station

view from trail entrance

Trail entrance

tributary from Discovery Peak

Wynoochee headwaters

At Wynoochee head basin

Snow depth sticks

Smaller pond

Meadow

Sundown Way Trail

beautiful trail

a tributary

End of the trail

Three Peaks

[Ski]

cool. looks like a couple nice swimmin' holes!

[Chico]

Beat in that way trail. As for the swimming holes Ski is referring to I am not so sure.

[captain jack]

Those tarns at the top of the pass are not a place I would swim, they're a little swampy. Sundown lake, maybe, but thats a down and up slog from the pass. Best option is to just take a plunge in Wynoochee on the way out, its a nice clean lake, or the falls, if you can get there. Good memories on that trail.

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

[Deereguy]

Last year we took the way trail and it petered out after about a 1/2+ mile. Ended up in ravine that was cliffy. Turned around and back to the main trail and down to graves creek. We spent an hour or two looking for the route. Not sure I would recommend the way trail. It had been many years since we were on that route.

[Phil]

[Scaler]

We were up there a couple weeks ago and looked for the way trail(s). We found 2 places just past the ponds with some old ribbons and then heading down towards Graves Creek a short ways. We could see a meadow below us on the right. There were some flagging tape leading toward the meadow also. We followed none of these but it appears there may be several way trails. This is a great area and we talked about doing a through hike from the Wynoochie Pass to the upper South Fork of the Skokomish River

[mdk]

Was in there 2 weeks ago, the way trail from a scant quarter mile below Wynoochee Pass over to about 3/4 mile below Sundown Lake is very followable. Perhaps the only tricky spot to route find is at the beginning (Wy Pass side) when the well-flagged route drops down into the meadow you can see from the trail. Flags out in the open have sun-faded to near white and don't stand out. head across the meadow to near the far left corner and look for the route heading straight up thru high bush huckleberry thickets. after that, just keep your eyes out and it isn't hard to follow. The cliffy ravine looks sketchy, but a zig zag route - down left, back right up - gets you thru without any problem. we thought it was great fun, lots better than the trudge down to the trails junction at Graves Creek.

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Hey thanks MDK, we are heading up there Memorial weekend Glad you found it ok

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Say, did you see any bears?

[Scaler]

MDK, Thanks for the info. We saw the meadow below the trail as we started down towards graves Creek Trail. You comments will be helpful. The trail from the end of the 400 road into Wynoochee Pass has some of the largest Western Hemlock around and a few very inpressive Alaska Cedar. I am familiar with the root wad in HumpnoocheeGirl's photo #9303. That is a very large Alaska Cedar and as you are making the last climb toward Wynoochee Pass if you look up hill you will see 2 or 3 giant Alaska Cedars growing together. A beautiful area and we may be back there shortly. Thanks to you for you information. Scaler

[Hikingqueen]

great pics!

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

[Scaler]

Good for you and I am looking forward to a report on trail and road conditions after last weeks storm. Have a great trip!