I set out to try the TNT's Hike of the Week - Jefferson Ridge. Not having found it in any of my hiking guides, I set out with the TNT article and a Green Trails map of the area. The road up (FS Rd 2421) is rough and probably best for SUV's, which I have (although I've definitely seen worse). The description I had said that the trailhead was about 2.5 miles from the turnoff from the Hamma Hamma Rd (FS #25). I couldn't find it there and just by chance was looking to turn around after going about a mile past and found the lower trailhead. My odometer showed 3.4 miles on FS #2421. It is at a curve to the left and there is an uprooted tree just up above the road that is partially cleared. Seeing the partial clearing of the tree is what made me investigate further. I found an old unmarked sign-in box up the trail about 50 feet above the road (as described in the TNT article). I set out on the hike and found some wildflowers in bloom - Tigerlillies, Beargrass, and in the forest some Coralroot. I wouldn't exactly call it a superb flower show but not bad. Lots of Rhodies all along the trail but only blooming up higher. After about 1/2 mile to 1 mile (I've seen varying reports) the road is again bisected. I noted a post on the other side of the road marking where the trail continued. I was a little frustrated as I would have driven up the road further had I known this. I continued on and found lots of nice Rhodies in bloom and vistas out to Hood Canal, Mt. Rainier, Seattle, Glacier Peak, etc. The far off peaks were a bit hazy, but who's to complain? Not me. Other Olympic peaks eventually came into closer view. I reached the terminus of the trail and noted old pieces of scrap metal as well as remnants of a foundation from the old lookout structure. Views on top are very limited. A few peek-a-boos between the trees of some of the other nearby Olympic peaks. The views slightly down the trail are much better. I did not encounter a large hole as noted in past reports (but use caution). The way down can be a bit dicey in places due to loose scree. Hiking poles are helpful. Upon return to my vehicle I thought about driving up the road to chart the mileage to the upper trailhead (and see if it was possible to drive to it), but I did not. I would guess it's another 1/2 mile to 1 mile past the lower trailhead. The post on the right side of the road should help folks to find it. I stopped at the visitor center at Staircase and found a guide sheet to this hike, guess I should have stopped on the way up! The man working there hadn't done this hike before but pointed me to their kiosk of numerous hiking guide sheets. The guide sheet mentions the gate as do several past trip reports on this site. It sounds like the gate is normally open, worth a check at least. The distance of this hike really varies from different guides/reports I have seen. I had a pedometer and would make a guess as to at least 5 miles round trip. The 2.8 mile one-way report I've seen a few places is probably about right. This hike is a bit of an effort for the rewards but knowing one's way helps out. I thought the trail itself was in pretty good shape for receiving little to no maintenance. And solitude, you definitely get it up here. Was also pleasantly surprised to see the cheaper gas prices out on the canal. Got some gas, food, drink, and was on my way into the sunny day, ready for another adventure!

The fantastic views make this hike well worth overcoming the obstacles to complete it. The first hurdle is that the road in,#2421, is 4-wheel drive; it's passable but rugged enough that we parked and walked up the road to look for the trailhead. Finding the trailhead was the second problem. The guide page from the forest service puts the trailhead at 2.5 miles from the start of the road. It's closer to 3 miles. We missed it on the way in and continued on the road to the point where the trail intersects it. This is easier to find because it's just beyond a gate (open) and has a post (no sign)to mark it. From that point on the trail climbs rapidly to fantastic views of the Hama Hama River. It was too foggy to see to the North where the guidebook promised many Olympic peaks can be seen, even Mount Deception and Mount Mystery. On the way back we found the lower trailhead. It occurs at a hairpin curve. A huge downed tree is across the trail but has a section removed. Several other logs partially block the way. We scrambled over and found the sign-in box and the trail. Starting here would give 2732' elevation gain in 2.8 miles. The upper trail was completely snow free with no fallen trees. The area is re-growing from logging, the trees are not yet large enough to blow down. The views make this trip worthwhile. The trail itself is varied and interesting making this hike highly recommended.

Today I started out at the Elk Lake trailhead and hiked up to the top of the Jefferson Ridge Trail and then back down. The Elk lake trail is in good shape with only a few blowdowns on the part of it that I saw. The Jefferson Ridge trail is in surprisingly good shape for a trail that receives little work. But finding the trail head was very hard. A tree had uprooted it's self near the official trailhead at N47*35.165 W*123.07.784. I drove up and down the road without finding the trailhead and that is why I ended up at the Elk Lake Trail. The group I was hiking with had done the trail before so when they arrived they showed me the way. But even they had some trouble finding it. There was some patchy snow at the top and a few small blow downs but nothing major. Looking down on Lena Lake was interesting but this is a tough trail with 2,800 feet elevation gain and not too much of a reward at the top. You can drive all the way to the 2,900 foot level and start your hike there if you have a high clearance vehicle. I posted some pictures of this hike at http://mosswalks.blogspot.com

This trail is, unfortunately, well past its prime. The access road - FS 2421 - hasn't been maintained regularly for years and continues to degrade. It is NOT suitable for passenger cars. You can probably drive it in a car if you insist, but your tires and your suspension will never be the same. The trail itself begins a couple hundred yards beyond a gate that might or might not be open. I forgot to check the odometer, but it's a good 8 miles or so. The trailhead is on the uphill side, cutting up a steep bank and is (at least today) marked with a post with a rock on top. If you go past the solar powered weather station you've gone a couple hundred feet too far. The trail begins steep and stays steep. The first half switchbacks through an exposed '60s era clearcut and can be very hot. No water. Lots of loose dirt and rocks make some parts dicey. Many opportunities to twist or break an ankle. There's also a VERY deep hole beside the trail on your right near the top. It's not very big around and we actually missed it on the way up. You can't miss it on the way down. Creepy. Falling in could very well be the last thing you ever do. Like the road, the trail hasn't been maintained for who knows how long and virually disappears in a couple of spots. Inexperienced or inattentive hikers might get confused. The trail ends at approx 1.6 miles (seems longer) at a pile of rubble where a Forest Service fire spotter cabin used to be. At one time (i.e. when it was logged) the views were probably stunning, but are now mostly obscured by trees. What you can see through the trees is delightful, though. Hood Canal, the Cascades from Adams to Glacier Peak, Oakland Bay at Shelton, and the entire ridge of peaks forming the north flank of the Hamma Hamma river valley. Even one quick look at Lower Lena Lake. Because of the miserable condition of the road and the rapidly disappearing views at the top, this trail now seems a lot of work for little reward. If your goal is sweeping vistas, Mt. Ellinor is a much better, albeit crowded, choice. If your goal is strenuous exercise and solitude (there's never anyone around) this is the trail for you.

One of two obscure hikes in the Olympics that our group embarked upon this past weekend. The Forest Service does not actively maintain this trail, yet the tread is in relatively decent shape. Portions are rather steep and pebbly. The road to the trailhead is a ridiculous thing that's probably more conducive to suicidal sledding in the winter than it is for driving. High clearance and 4WD vehicles will handle this far better than ordinary sedans. We parked about a half mile below the trailhead and hiked up from there through the fog and the mist. The first two-thirds of the trail proceed through an enormous clearcut (courtesy of the road that should never have been built). The moist conditions helped us through this part, as it surely would have been terribly hot if the sun had been out. The harsh edges of the clearcut have begun to be muted somewhat by the presence of regenerating, person-sized trees, as well as thousands of blooming rhodies. The latter are now a bit past their peak, but it appears that substantial beargrass will follow. After a little over a mile, the trail crosses the upper end of the same unwanted road. I have no idea whether a vehicle could make it up to this point. Finally, after climbing some more, the trail enters old growth montane forest and the inventoried Jefferson Ridge Roadless Area. Some downed trees across the trail follow from here, but are not terribly difficult to cross. The trail ends at the former site of a fire lookout tower (2.8 miles, according to Bob Wood). All that remains are a foundation, a few cables, broken glass, and burned timbers. The ridgetop was still socked in with clouds when we arrived here. Our patience must have overwhelmed the low pressure system, however, because the world opened up some time later. Views included an impressive look across the Hamma Hamma Valley and down to Lena Lake, up to Mount Bretherton and The Brothers, and over Hood Canal and Puget Sound. The Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier rounded out this expansive vista. Satisfied with ourselves, we coasted back down the trail. One wonders if this trail could possibly be extended westward along the wilder environs of Jefferson Ridge, assuming ecological feasibility.