[raising3hikers]

Turret 6320' I headed over to the Olympics for a quick trip because I had time restraints for Saturday. The best thing about being in Edmonds is the easy morning access to the ferry. I hopped on the 6:10am ferry and arrived at the Big Quilcene TH by 8am. At this point, I was the only vehicle in the parking lot. The trail is in pretty good shape with only a couple of down logs across the trail for the first 3 miles. Near the Shelter Rock camp, I left the trail and crossed the little river immediately, plenty of logs across the river to choose from. There were many more old, rotten, mossy logs to go over along the way towards the basin below Turret. Nothing too difficult and not a lot of brush.

off trail near the Big Quilcene river

small creek

I eventually started to head uphill to the left of the creek draining the upper basin. There were intermittent game trails to follow as I finally left the forest for the partially snowy basin at 4700'. I made my way up staying on talus for a while and made a wrong turn or actually missed a turn. I headed to far to the West about 400' high before I caught my mistake. I headed to the snow and dropped back down to get to the proper side of the peak.

left most snow coulior is the way (view from my wrong turn)

I headed up the steep gully and snow conditions were great for my crampons. At a small saddle. I headed up and left towards the summit while bypassing the false summit. Clouds going in and out had just small glimpses of the surrounding peaks. I found the register and signed in and didn't stay long as the breeze was pretty cold.

Constance

summit register

After heading back down the steep snow and getting back down to the river, I decided to hike directly up the other side to find the trail some 400' above me. I didn't feel like hopping over down logs along the river for almost a mile to reach the trail. I met several hikers on their way up as I made it down to the TH with a full lot. 10.25 miles 4500' gain 5.5 hrs

[Gimpilator]

I had to check the map to see where this peak is. Cool idea for a trip.

[b00]

wrong turns are so annoying. i only wish i made as few of them as you do :>)

[Stefan]

that gets visited more than I thought!