Hike of the Week: Peabody Creek

Peabody Creek Trail is green and serene.

Peabody Creek

Calm before the Hurricane

by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

March 25, 2005



Quick Facts
Location: Olympic National Park, Port Angeles
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 5.4 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 800 feet
Access: From US 101 in Port Angeles follow Race Street to the Heart O’ the Hills Parkway (Hurricane Ridge Road). At road junction, turn into the large parking area for the Olympic National Park Visitors Center and Pioneer Memorial Museum. Trailhead begins in picnic area near center.
Notes: Dogs are prohibited.
Green Trails Map: Port Angeles, Wash- No. 103

Who would have guessed that one of the quietest trails in the Olympic National Park begins right at the base of one of the park's busiest byways? Well, quiet in terms of visitor use-for you can hear in the distance, the parade of vehicles heading for the ever-so-popular, Hurricane Ridge. But take away that distant buzz of whizzing traffic, and the only thing that you're likely to hear along the Peabody Creek Trail is-Peabody Creek!
Starting right from the Park Visitors Center within the Port Angeles city limits, the Peabody Creek Trail makes for a great early morning or late afternoon hike. Traveling along its namesake creek, and crossing it several times- the trail guides you through a lush green ravine. No alpine views-no stunning scenery-no sprawling lakes-just peace and quiet along a gentle trail. Beyond the adjacent Aldwell Nature Trail, hardly a soul ventures up this trail. All the better, for you get to reconnect with nature, undisturbed from your fellow hikers.
Enjoy the maturing cedars and firs that line the creek. Listen for the sweet spring song of the varied thrush. Admire the first wildflowers of the season; tiny spring beauties, succulent vanilla leafs, pungent skunk cabbage blossoms, and golden Johnny jump ups. Come back in a few weeks to greet the rhododendrons in bloom. Also by this time, the bigleaf maples and red alders will have filled in any gaps in the emerald canopy.
The Peabody Creek Trail runs for almost three miles along the babbling waterway that starts in the Olympic Mountain foothills. The grade is always gentle. Perfect for hikers short on time-short on breathe-or short in years-Peabody Creek also makes for a great place to stretch your legs if you're staying in nearby Port Angeles. And remember-although there are no knock-out views along Peabody Creek, there aren't any crowds either-a claim Hurricane Ridge can't make.