Type of Hike
Day hike
Introduction: The weather today was not the best for views but… it held promise. We had wanted to see the Kloshe Nanitch Look Out since our hiking Mt. Muller were we saw the junction from Jims’ Junction.
Kloshe Nanitch Look Out – ONF and beyond !!
Stats: (C. Romanos’ Day Hiking Oly Pen; pg. 281)
Distance – 9.9 miles point to point
Elev. gain/loss - 2200 ft/ high pt 5360 ft to the Look Out… and another 600+/- ft gain/loss (several times) on Snider Ridge Trail to Jims’ Junction (Mt. Muller trail)
Fun - 100%
Directions:
We parked one car at the Mt. Muller TH and then drove 5.5 miles West on Hwy 101 and turned North onto Snider Rd. (there is a sign for the road and “Snider Work Center”) go straight to the end of this road and you are at the TH – approx. 1 mile
The trail to the Look Out was in great shape. There were a few blow downs but we were able to step over all but one and were able to go under it. The Snider Ridge Trail was in great shape the first and last third of the trail. The middle third at times required some intuitive trail reading skills (not bad enough to bring out a map and compass). The trail from Jims’ Junction to the Mt. Muller TH was in great shape, there was almost no mud and good tread for the majority of the hike. The elevation gain to the Look Out gets a bit serious as you continue up the trail. There is quite a lot of elevation gain and loss on the Snider Ridge Trail. From Jims’ Junction to the Mt. Muller TH it is all down hill and in great shape with good tread. I always use trekking poles; they were not "necessary" but helpful on the way up as well as on the way back to the Mt. Muller TH.
The Gang:
Lisa, Neil and me, halffast
Off we go on our Great Adventure:
Although there really was not much sun the entire hike… The temperature could not have been better. The Look Out trail starts following an over grown road right next to the Sol Duc River… very nice !! And in a short distance you come to the actual TH…
The trail starts out meandering through a beautiful forest and you come to a very fun bridge… There were some beautiful ferns along the way…and after enjoying them it was onwards and upwards as the trail starts to steepen.
There was quite a bit of water on the lower part of this trail… and a very nice flower show as well. As we continued upwards there was quite a nice stream coming out of the side of the hill and more flowers !!
And finally our first destination was in sight. There was several wild flowers right below the Look Out… and then we reached the Look Out.
There is a fence blocking any entry to the Look Out and deck which was a bummer. The biggest part of that bummer is that they had to put the fence up to stop the vandalism. What is up with people ruining beautiful areas ?? I just don’t get that.
We had a nice lunch break hoping that the weather would break. Although it did not totally clear up we were able to get some views… Then it was off to the Look Out Loop trail to find the junction to the Snider Ridge Trail. We went for quite a distance and even started wondering if we would find the junction and then we were there.
We really do not know the total elevation gain and loss of this trail but we can say that there was a lot !!!! you would loose a couple hundred feet and then gain twice as much on the way up. The ridge trail was awesome. You would wind in and out of the forest and on the ridge line there were some great views even with our not so great weather.
Snider Ridge trail provided more undulating trail, view and flowers… very nice !!
Then we reach our next land mark Jims’ Junction on the Mt. Muller trail.
And as the saying goes… It is all down hill from here !! So it was as we headed down to the Mount Muller TH. We climbed into car number one and headed back to the Look Out TH for car number two and finished off our wonderful day at a quaint mom and pop Mexican restaurant in Forks and enjoyed an authentic Mexican dinner… yum !!
Another awesome day on the Oly Pen... thanks Lisa and Neil
Happy hiking…
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