Written by a renowned Pacific Northwest outdoors expert, Top Trails: Olympic National Park features the best of the best trails the park has to offer. This guide showcases only the most spectacular scenery and wildlife in a wide selection of routes from all over the peninsula. It includes full descriptions of brand new Mt. Muller Loop and Murhut Falls trails, as well as some truly outstanding but often overlooked hikes, including a range of options from short and easy nature trails to extremely demanding day-hikes to a few of the absolute not-to-be-missed options for overnight travelers. In keeping with the tradition of the Top Trails series, Doug Lorain's new guide will maximize readers' time and enjoyment of Olympic National Park. A recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award, Doug Lorain was described by The Seattle Times as the "next great Northwest trail guide author." He lives in Montana. HIKE #29 DEER RIDGE TRAIL Trail Use: Day hiking Length: 10.2 miles, 5 hours Cumulative Elevation: 2,840' Difficulty: Level 4 Trail Type: Out-and-back Surface Type: Dirt Contour Map: Custom Correct Gray Wolf-Dosewallips Start & End: N47° 57.897' W123° 11.593' Facilities: None Features: Mountain scenery Rhododendrons Alpine wildflowers Abundant wildlife Deer Park is a busy, high-elevation destination in the northeast corner of Olympic National Park. July–October the park can be reached by a steep and winding gravel road. Locals know, however, that you can also reach this mountain paradise before the road opens via a quiet trail that climbs to the area from US Forest Service land to the east. In fact, on a sunny day in late June, it is hard to imagine a more scenic hiking destination on the entire peninsula. The trip involves a stiff climb, so it’s not for every- one, but for wildflowers, wildlife, and outstanding mountain views, it’s hard to beat. Best Time The trail is usually hikable June–October. Mid- to late June is ideal for blooming rhododendrons at lower elevations and rock-garden wildflowers up high. The road to Deer Park usually opens in early July, so mid- to late June will also ensure having the high country to yourself. Photo and wildlife-viewing opportunities are better in the morning. Finding the Trail Drive US 101 to a junction near milepost 262, about 1 mile west of Sequim. Turn south on Taylor Cutoff Road, go 5.4 miles on this paved road, and then turn left onto gravel Slab Camp Road. After 0.9 mile, you fork right onto Forest Road 2875 and proceed 3.7 miles to a large gravel pullout and trailhead on the right. Trail Description The trail initially goes south from the parking lot [1] on an old gravel road that is now closed to vehicles. After only 15 yards, the trail splits. Go straight on Deer Ridge Trail and very gradually ascend a forested hillside above the old road. There are frequent nice views to the south of snowy Tyler Peak and Baldy. In the latter half of June, blooming rhododendrons put on a terrific display of color along this section of the trail. At about 0.8 mile, the pace of your ascent goes from gentle to moderately steep; at 1.2 miles, you round a prominent ridge and come to a nice open viewpoint. [2] The broad summit of Baldy (Trail 30) fills the sky to the south and towers above the green depths of the Gray Wolf River Canyon. About 40 yards after this point, you go straight where an unsigned and now abandoned trail goes left and downhill. The main trail continues climbing, generally remaining in the welcome shade of dense forest. At about 1.7 miles is another rocky outcrop on your left with nice views, though this time the scenery is partially blocked by trees. The trail then goes up a much steeper section before reaching a third viewpoint on another spur ridge. [3] To the south–southwest rise the rugged high peaks of the Gray Wolf Divide, while to the west and west–southwest are an arc of snowy summits around Cameron Pass and the headwaters of the Gray Wolf River. It’s a marvelous scene, and for a comfortable way to take it all in, walk about 50 yards up the trail to a couple of benches, where you can sit and admire the view. These benches were installed by a local hiking club in memory of former club members who helped to maintain this wonderful trail. The trail turns right at the viewpoint, steeply climbing the spine of the spur ridge, where short trees, twisted by frequent high winds, provide excellent frames for photographs of the distant mountains. After only 0.1 mile, the trail angles to the left off the ridge and crosses a partially forested slope with frequent outstanding views over the Gray Wolf Valley and its surrounding peaks. At a couple of points, you will even catch glimpses to the east of Puget Sound and Glacier Peak in the Cascade Range. At about 3.8 miles, you reach the top of Deer Ridge with its spire-shaped subalpine firs and scrubby lodgepole pines. The ridge also features numerous wildflower-covered meadows, awesome views, an