I'd say this amazing hike ranks up there with Marmot Pass for views and wildflowers. The road to the trailhead is fine. Don't worry about the number of cars there - most are camping, not hiking. First section is like a lanscaped rhododendron garden, in full bloom right now. Second section is STEEP, winding up through a fairly dry forest. Third section is HEAVEN - up on the ridge it is truly breathtaking what you can see. And right now the flowers are everywhere up there. The incline is gentle all along the ridge to the trail intersection. Will definitely do this one every year.

This was the second time in about 12 days I hiked to the Gray Wolf camp going down to Camp Tony, then up the ridge trail south of the Gray wolf River. The difference this second time was that I overnighted at Gray Wolf and hiked out up the Three Forks Trail to the Deer Ridge Trail and back to the car. The trail is in pretty good shape. There are some muddy sections, but wear boots and you can march right through them. There were maybe three or four patches of snow left covering the trail up near the Deer Park Campground, but no single patch was longer than 25 to 30 feet. There were few blowdowns that have not been taken care of. Of the few left, they are all easily manageable. The most difficult aspect of this loop is the 10 mile stretch of elevation gain if you do the loop clockwise, as I did. I was glad to have a night to rest after the first 4.9 miles of the gain. A day hike of the loop in this direction would be great for training and stretching out those legs. If you can overnight, I recommend it. I saw one person at Camp Tony when I hiked in. Otherwise, I had the whole wilderness to myself. Great orchids, and other wildflowers are blooming.

We hiked from Slab Camp to Deer Park along the Deer Ridge trail #846. The fog and clouds moved in and out all day but it never cleared enough to see much of the Gray Wolf, Tyler, Baldy mountain peaks, just glimpses of parts now and then. Just the same, there are a lot of wild flowers out. Our actual gain was 3,000 ft over the 5.4 miles one way. We had lunch at Deer Park with the resident deer. The road to the park was not open, so it is hikers only, but the road will be accessible this coming weekend. The deer do like trekking poles-so keep an eye on your poles or they will run off with them! They are attracted to the salt on the straps and handles (note the phot by fellow hiker, Dick)

Five members of the Whidbey Hiking Group took the first ferry from Coupeville to Pt. Townsend today to hike the Deer Ridge Trail to Deer Park. The trailhead is located about 14 miles from Sequim and we were on the trail shortly before 9:00 am. This trail is very well maintained and easy to follow with about 2,800' of elevation gain as you hike up the 5 miles to Deer Park located at 5,200'. The hike is a very good workout with several steep sections and should be considered in the moderate to difficult range. Mountain flowers are still blooming on the higher slopes and many rhodies are blooming below 3,000'. The views begin early with Tyler, Baldy, and Gray Wolf the main attractions on the way up (see pic below) and they get better and better as you gain in elevation. The Cascade Peaks, including Glacier, Three Fingers, White Horse and many others can be seen from this trail on a clear day like today. Deer Park is a beautiful destination with meadows, flowers, open views, and deer (of course) all over the place. It is especially good to do this hike before the road in is open to campers. One water source (a spring) on the way up, but I would suggest you carry the water you need.

Arrived at Slab Camp parking area about 9 a.m. About eight cars. Trail was snow free and the views across to Grey Wolf ridge spectacular. Took us about three hours to reach the campground at Deer Park. Some stretches are quite steep and my calves complained, but getting into the high country was the reward! Lots of deer roaming around the campground, and a few patches of snow here and there. We had quite a bit of solitude, saw maybe 20 people all day. Good flower show...from rhodies and canadian dogwood in the lower segments to calypso orchids to avalanche lilies to Sitka valerian to creeping phlox. PS if you left an item on the bench, write me janersue@gmail.com.