Hike of the Week: Mount Muller

Lake Crescent shines below from Panorama Point

Mount Muller

A stunning ridge above sparkling Lake Crescent


by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

May 27, 2005
Quick Facts
Location: Olympic National Forest, Pacific North Ranger District
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Roundtrip: 12.8 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 3,150 feet
Access: From Port Angeles, head 31 miles west on US 101. Three miles beyond the junction with the Sol Duc Hot Springs Road turn right (north) onto Forest Road no. 3071. The trailhead is a short distance away on this road-located near an electric substation.
Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required (or Golden Eagle Pass)
Green Trails Map: Lake Crescent, WA – No. 101

Mount Muller offers one of the finest ridge hikes in all of the Olympics. And thanks to its proximity to coastal waters-and a height that’s lofty but not imposing-Muller is often snow-free by May. So, if you’ve been craving all spring a trip to the high-country, here’s your chance to head for the hills. With over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and a trek of nearly 13 miles, you’ll get some good exercise, too.
The Mount Muller trail was constructed a little over a decade ago. This section of the Olympic National Forest was long managed primarily for timber production. But with a declining harvest in the early 1990’s, forest administrators began to look at recreational opportunities for these lands. They realized that the long and open ridge containing Snider Peak and Mount Muller would make for some great hiking. They were right!
Through primarily second-growth forest, the Mount Muller Loop winds its way four miles to an open ridge. As you approach the crest you’ll come to a junction. The trail to the left heads for several miles to the historic Kloshe Nanitch Fire Lookout. The Muller Loop veers right, climbing another 500 feet through wind-swept meadows bursting with wildflowers come mid-May.
At 6.5 miles, half-way through the loop, you’ll come to two short spur trails. One leads to the 3,748-foot summit. Go ahead and peak bag. But the summit pales to Panorama Point, the destination of the second spur. From this promontory you’ll be granted with one of the finest views this side of Mount Olympus. Matter-of-fact, you’ll even be able to see Mount Olympus! Its glistening white face peaks out from behind an emerald wall of rolling ridges and jagged peaks.
Directly below is the broad and verdant Sol Duc Valley. But it’s the view to the east of sparkling Lake Crescent that slacks the jaw. Pyramid Mountain and Mount Storm King rise like sentinels, guarding the pristine waters of the beautiful and sprawling lake.
Once you’ve soaked up enough of Crescent’s scenic grandeur, complete the loop. Enjoy the signs along the way that point out places of interest and memorialize trail crew members. It’s obvious that those responsible for building the Muller Loop enjoyed it as much as those who hike it.