Deer Ridge — Tuesday, May. 30, 2006

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Our group began this great hike at an access trail about a mile up from Slab Camp; (side trail on a curve with limited parking, you’ll find the junction with #846 blue flagged ) The trail is in good condition with a few nice views along the way plus the promise of flowers soon filling the alpine meadows. We saw numerous deer wandering near the campground and upper meadows. The trail is snow-free to the Deer Park campgrounds, including the mile road up to scenic viewpoint towards the top of the 6,000 ft Blue Mountain. We found snow on the short climb up to the top, the summit being clear of snow & offering terrific panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Straight of Juan de Fuca . Stats. 3000 ft gain, about 10.5 miles round trip.