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Although it features some exceptionally nice views along the way, the Duckabush River Trail is primarily a forest hike that follows one of the largest and most important rivers flowing out of the eastern Olympic Mountains. Because the trail is open for most of the year, this is a particularly good choice for a spring or fall adventure, when the higher mountains are still encased in snow.

Getting There

Drive 110 miles north of Portland on I-5 to Olympia and take Exit 104 for US 101. After 6 miles, take Exit 101 to stay on US 101, and then drive 50 miles to a junction with paved Duckabush Road near milepost 310. Turn left (west), drive 6.1 miles on pavement then gravel (with lots of potholes, but OK for passenger cars if you drive slowly) past Collins Campground and to a junction, bear right, and reach the road-end trailhead after another 0.2 mile.

GPS COORDINATES

Hiking It

The gravel-strewn trail begins on a hillside well away from the river as it makes a gentle climb through a forest of Douglas firs and western hemlocks. After gaining 450 feet in 1.2 miles, the trail reaches the relatively unimpressive top of a rocky spur called Little Hump. From about the 2-mile mark, you enter an area that was burned in a 2011 fire, which started at Five Mile Camp (farther along the trail). At 2.2 miles is an excellent campsite beside the clear Duckabush River (although be somewhat cautious about camping near snags and dead trees). If you are backpacking with children, this is a good place to spend the night.