Hike of the Week: Mount Walker

The rhodie show begins with your first step

Mount Walker

Here’s one for the rhodie



by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
June 10, 2005

Quick Facts
Location: Olympic National Forest
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Roundtrip: 5.0 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 2000 feet
Access: From Port Angeles, head south on US 101 to Quilcene. From the Kitsap Peninsula, head west on SR 104 then turn south onto Center Road and follow to Quilcene. Proceed south on US 101 for five miles and turn left onto the Mount Walker Road. Follow for .3 miles to trailhead.
Notes: No Forest Pass required.

Quick, what’s Washington’s state flower? You had to think about it, uh? It’s the coast rhododendron, which is actually quite a surprise because this showy flower is not widespread throughout the state. But, where it does grow in profusion is along the eastern front of the Olympic Mountains. And on Mount Walker, the easternmost peak in the Olympic chain, the coast rhododendron is a dominate species.
For much of the year the coast rhododendron merely adds a layer of dark green to the forest understory; its leathery leaves remaining green all winter. But come late spring this hardy shrub calls for attention. It begins to blossom, speckling the firs and hemlocks with rosy-purple bouquets. By June, its vibrant violet bell-shaped blossoms ring the emerald forest. Mount Walker is one of the best places in the state to witness this floral show.
Of course there are other reasons to hike this small peak as well. Its location on the eastern edge of the peninsula hovering over the glacial trough known as Hood Canal means plenty of breathtaking views. From its two summits you can feast your eyes on the jagged Buckhorn Wilderness peaks including mighty Mount Constance, or gaze out over the Puget lowlands to the Seattle skyline and beyond.
Don’t be misled by the hike’s short distance though, for it is a moderately difficult hike. No time is wasted reaching the 2,805-foot summit. Don’t be discouraged either by the road that leads to the summit. For although there’ll be others at the top, they usually don’t stay long. And although you can hike Walker in the winter months when the road is closed (having the summit to yourself and making a loop if you like) you’ll miss the rhodies.
Be sure that once you emerge on the road at the North Viewpoint that you walk .5 mile farther to the South Viewpoint. Admire all the water below, then do an about-face and return to the rhododendron show. Come to the realization that the coast rhododendron may not be one of Washington’s most widespread flowers, but it certainly is one of its most beautiful. And that’s reason enough to have it as our state flower-a spectacular testament to the beauty of our natural landscapes.