As of 14 September 2024, there is a tree across the road three miles from the Tunnel Creek trailhead. From the tree to Valhalla Peak & back is 14.5 miles, so plan your hike accordingly.

The trail is mostly clear, with a few trees across the trail. It's a moderate incline all the way to the footbridge across Tunnel Creek. From there, the incline is steeper, with a few switchbacks up to Harrison Lake.

The start of the spur that goes to the top of Valhalla Peak is a bit overgrown, but stick to the left on the way up, and you'll make it to the top!

Do you have a sense of adventure, a love of climbing, and an unquenchable thirst for solitude in nature? If yes, then this is absolutely the trail for you. I loved it. 

I arrived at the Dosewallips TH at around 6:45 am this morning. The gravel portion of the road (last 2 miles) is in pristine condition. There were quite a few cars there, likely all overnighters. From the parking area, follow the now closed Dosewallips River Road for approximately 0.4 miles. I used Gaia to help me find the unmarked junction that signals the beginning of the Tunnel Creek Trail. It's very easy to miss. Turn right onto the trail, prepare your legs for what is about to come, and up you go.

As the trail description indicates, there are flat sections. But you kinda have this feeling of dread during them, because that just means more climbing in less distance. ;) I would like to mention the trail washout/loose dirt slope you have to cross after the Gamm Creek (still flowing, only water source) crossing. This was really quite sketchy, and I did not love it at all. I used hiking poles to anchor myself in case the 'trail' gave way. It's unstable ground and would be a very long, ugly slide down. Ugh.

Aside from that short traverse and two down trees, there were not many other obstacles on the trail. It becomes more overgrown/bushy as you ascend, but I never lost the trail or had difficulty following it. I drank loads more water than I thought I would. It was a tough climb for sure at parts and extremely, uncharacteristically humid. (Perhaps the smoke has something to do with this?)

Once at 5050 Pass, there are many options at the junction. The one you want (all are unsigned) is the 90 degree left turn. Go for about 50 feet, and you are once again presented with many options. Go left again. The trail winds up to Valhalla Peak. Unfortunately, I had very smoky views, so I will have to come back! Got a decent, front-row shot of Mount Constance though. 

Coming down off of this beast was...well....about as bad as I expected. POLES. I would never, ever do this without poles. There were times on the descent where I had to anchor my poles into the ground and literally put my whole weight on them and hope for the best. The scree is very slippery coming down. Also, I randomly got stung on the way down. I swatted away the monster as fast as possible, so I'm not sure what it was. But it gave me something to take my mind off of the grueling descent.

Overall, I would 100% do this trail again and definitely will in the fall! Do not underestimate it, come prepared, and you will have as much fun as I did! I did not see a single human the whole day, not even on the main Dosewallips River Road section. Incredible. I arrived back to the parking lot, and it was dead. About the same cars that were there when I had arrived in the early morning.

Arrived at noon, only a few cars at Tunnel Creek Trailhead. Road to trailhead had a bunch of potholes but none too bad if you’re careful (fine for SUV, likely ok for sedan).

There were some wasps on the trail - be careful! Mrs. PH got stung by one by surprise on the hike.

Trail was in good condition the whole way, gradual for most of it and then steep for the last ~1 mile up to Valhalla peak. Nice views even on a somewhat cloudy day.

Started bright and early at 5:40am from the Tunnel Creek trailhead. The first half of the hike is beautiful. Lovely old forest with period views of the creek and lots of diverse undergrowth. A little beyond the old hut is the bridge over the creek where the trail gets quite a bit steeper, including one small scramble. Older kids could handle it, but I think most small children would find it difficult, especially on the way back down.

The understory was still a bit damp, so watch your step on slick roots, I slipped a couple times while coming back down.

The only snow is right before the spur off to Valhalla peak. It is easy enough to cross without spikes, poles, or even really slowing you down much. By the time you're done reading this I am sure it will be mostly melted.

Beautiful views from the top of some of the more familiar peaks in the Olympics, I could see Baker and Rainier, and even the silhouette of the Seattle skyline.

In the time I was at the top there was a small rockslide on the trail over the switchbacks right before the lake. Nothing that blocks the trail, but big enough rocks that it could have seriously ruined your day if you had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. I didn't stay in the area for long, but it looked like part of the rock face above the switchbacks broke free sending debris down the hillside. Exercise caution on the switchbacks.

Overall though, it was a pleasant day.

Snow: The last 80 feet of gain up to 5050 Pass has snow that was slushy/slippery in spots and postholey in other spots; it took a little care going up this and a little more care coming down this for 2 of our Mountaineers' group of 3. Many people will have no issues with this snow. There were 4 short and easy patches of snow before this point and there were a few easy patches of snow on the side trail up to Valhalla.

Hike: All but the last .2 mile up to Valhalla is in old-growth forest and 2 miles of that is along the creek. It is a very pretty forest (photo 4) and the trail is often cushioned by small western hemlock cones. There are about 6 blowdowns, all are easy to get around/under/over.

Flowers: We saw 37 spcies of flowering plants, thanks for the list Paul! There are a variety of berries and other bell-shaped flowers out in the forest along with salmon berry, trillium, bunchberry, and a few fairy slippers. The open area towards the top of Valhalla has flowery slopes (photo 2), twinberry honeysuckle (photo 3), spreading phlox, Cascade/Martindale's desert parsley, (lots of) snow douglasia (photo 1), and small-flowered penstemon just starting to bloom.

Road Conditions: The road is easily passable for a sedan, there are some potholes that have to be watched for and avoided. There are many flowers along the road including blooming rhododendrons.

 FLOWERING PLANTS IN BLOOM (37 species)