We received our most recent copy of WTA's magazine and saw Marmot Pass highlighted as a good trip for July, so that's where we headed on July 2 for a quick out-and-back overnight.
The trailhead is easy to reach from Quilcene; much of the Forest Service road is even paved (not sure if that's a good thing or not).
The Big Quilcene River Trail is exactly as advertised in all the guide books: a steady climb, steep enough in places to let you know you're steadily gaining altitude, but not so steep to turn you back. The tread is excellent most of the way, with a few rocky patches above Shelter Rock.
We took about 4.5 hours to get to Camp Mystery, with full packs and a ton of photo breaks in the last two miles. I'd figure 3.5 hours as a day-hike. The hike out took just 2.5 hours.
There's a little water over the trail in a few places, but nothing serious. There's one large tree over the trail near Shelter Rock and a few small blow-downs remain closer to Camp Mystery, but nothing difficult. Above Camp Mystery, there's more water on the trail and a few patches of snow remaining.
It took about 40 minutes to reach Marmot Pass from Camp Mystery. Worth the effort for amazing views but we could only stay for a few minutes before being chased down by lightning all around.
Wildflowers are just about perfect right now. Rhodedendrons are at their peak in the understory along the first mile or two. The rock slides and meadows above Shelter Rock are covered with phlox, lupines, paintbrush, columbine, and more. If you want wildflowers, do this one NOW!
Very few bugs right now, but the rain and clouds may have kept them at bay.
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