The Deer Ridge Trail begins from the end of the road at Slab Camp on FR 2875. We hiked 1.5 miles gaining 700 ft to View Rock where today there was no view. The trail climbs gradually at first, but becomes more steep as it approaches View Rock. The rocks along the way are covered with moss and lichens. We had time today for only a short hike, but we hope to return later in the spring when the flowers will be blooming along the way.

Wednesday, June 10th 2009. The Deer Ridge Trail in the Olympic National Forest is a 5.2 mile trail that gains almost 3,000 feet of altitude with most of the gain in the first two-thirds of the hike. It was a moderately strenuous beginning but the last third of the hike is in more level, high-meadow country, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. I parked at the Slab Camp Trailhead at 6:15am. It was only a fifteen minute drive from the Quality Inn in Sequim. The weather was perfect, sunny and in the low fifties and the trail was dry. As I hiked through wild rhododendrons the trail turned upwards at thirty degrees and the trail remained steep for long periods of time during the first hour of hiking. There were a couple of knobs that gave me an excuse to take a breather and look out over the Gray Wolf River Valley and the snow-capped ridges beyond. After almost two hours of hiking, I crossed the boundary into the Olympic National Park. The trail changed noticeably at that point. The trees began to spread out and Indian Paintbrushes, dandelions, strawberries and Speedwell appeared. With less than a mile to go, the trail broke out into the open. I hiked along the side of a scree-covered ridge with unobstructed views everywhere. Here the trail surface sloped away and I almost slipped off the trail twice. I’d recommend a hiking staff or poles so as not to twist an ankle. The last part of the trail is through open mountain meadows to the campground where deer were grazing. I arrived at 8:45am. For those who want views and open ridge hiking and don’t mind a bit of exercise this trail is for you. The entire trail was free of obstructions but there is no water anywhere. It took me a fast hour and three quarters to get back down to the trailhead.

Deer Ridge trail is clear from the trailhead (at Slab Camp) to the Olympic National Park boundary, and only one tree is down within the Park to Deer Park campground. Trail is almost snow-free.

Slab Camp, Rain, 2540 feet. Ascend Deer Ridge Trail at 35% grade & see distant sunbreaks. Snow covered meadows & ridges above 4,000 feet. Blue skies & sun melt the snow & rain on the trail. Three Forks TH, 5360 feet, begin 4.3 mile, 3300 foot descent. Shelter, privy & sunny meadow at Grand Creek lunch stop. Follow Cameron Creek trail over 3 footbridges spanning Grand, Cameron & Graywolf River. Climb high above a canyon of the Graywolf to Slide Camp, 2150 feet. Baldy Trail starts here, but no time. Drop to Slab Camp Bridge, 1440 feet. Impressive steel, concrete & wood bridge. Ascend Slab Camp trail 1100 feet, 30% grade. Rhodys line the trail. 18 plus miles, I'm ready for home. No trail damage to report. Snow on Deer Ridge & Three Forks above 4000 feet.

My first hike in the Olympics this season could not have been nicer, and no aches and pains afterward despite a lengthy rock scramble. Doesn't get any better than that. (Scramble is not in this report.) On Highway 101, from the east at Sequim, look for a tiny green sign for Taylor Cutoff Road. Follow paved road for five miles or so, turn left at the Slab Camp tiny road sign, an even tinier sign the size of a playing card marks this Road 2875. Stay right at junctions, at 4.5 miles is a junction and two trailheads, one for Slab Camp on your left and the base TH for Deer Ridge on the right. I did not notice any signs. The most enjoyable way to do this is to continue on 1.7 miles on 2875 until a broad rightward bend in the road with nice parking a hike the way-trail (marked on the map) up the subsidiary ridge, from here - elev. 2900. A pleasant, easy (steepish) trail meets the main trail at about 3250. I used to put a marker of some sort here so I could find this on the way down. Continue upward through wonderful, cool open forest with occasional viewpoints to all the swell peaks of Gray Wolf Ridge to the SE. Tyler Peak, Baldy, 7318, etc. Trail is steep in places. Suddenly, at 4250 feet, you will burst out onto Deer Ridge, out of the deep forest, all the stunning views open before you. Klahanie Club of Port Angeles placed a couple thoughtful memorial benches here for one of their hikers. You choice: sit in the shade or the sun. This is now a ridge hike with swell views all the way, nice forest when you want it - just no problems. You will reach the National Park Boundary, well marked at 4660 elevation. Lots of picnic and sit-and-read spots on this wonderful trail. Many thanks and compliments to the Forest Service (Quilcene Dist.) and NPS for keeping up this trail. It is always well logged out. Part of this is volunteer work, maybe WTA again, thanks. It is also horse-friendly. I meet hunters in the fall as well. At about 5200 feet, hiking into the Park, you not will see far up on the now open slopes, the rather unsettling glint or car windows. This marks the Deer Park Road and ending trailhead (or beginning if coming downhill). I always quit at this point, which makes sense (for me) as most of the thrills are now over, the view won't get any better. Never have been on this trail when it is not sunny! Imagine! Cold or windy, yes, but the sun seems to have setted in here and allows me to enjoy open views to all of those peaks I jealously wish I could climb. From Seattle I can do this enjoyable hike and be home for dinner all in one day, ferries included (Edmonds-Kingston). I encourage more hikers from Seattle to hike this and other NE Olympic trails, as they are easier to get to than you might think. Less traffic and fewer people, as a rule, compared to the Cascades.