TrailsNW
Olympic Mountains

Skyline

Length: 45 **mileage is round trip miles
Low Point: 500'
High Point: 5400'
Season: Summer/Fall
Scenery: 4/5

Difficulty: 3/5

Submitted by: jason

Directions

Hwy 101 to North/South Shore Rd near Lake Quinault. S. Shore rd. is the better road, but either will get you to the North Fork campground.

Trail Description

Leave from trailhead @ North Fork of the Quinault River. Hike takes you up past Irely Lake and on to 3 Lakes, which marks the start of the Skyline Trail. The way is tough from hear to Low Divide, but well worth the effort. Consider hiking 11.4 miles to 3 Prune Camp, then take it a bit easier the following day going only 5.5 miles to Kimta Peak. Class 2 scramble to top of Kimta (elev. 5400). The route past Kimta to Lake Beauty can be faint. Pay attention to cairns, your map, and have a compass and the knowledge of how to use it. Too much snow on this trail can get you lost.

Try for Low Divide or just camp near Lake Beauty after a tough day of hiking and route finding. Connect with the North Fork Trail at Low Divide. The hike out is 16 miles of beautiful forest...the downhill grade will be appreciated. This last 16 miles is part of the old Press Expedition route.

Do some research before you go, but GO!

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