Hike of the Week: Mount Townsend
 |
| Quilcene Ridge and Townsend Creek drainage from high on Mount Townsend |
Mount Townsend
Prominent peak provides panoramic views of Puget Sound
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
July 15, 2005
Quick Facts
Location: Buckhorn Wilderness, Olympic National Forest
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Roundtrip: from upper trailhead 8.0 miles; from lower trailhead 10 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: from upper trailhead 2,800-ft; from lower trailhead 3,400-ft
Access: From Quilcene, WA drive south on US 101 for 1.5 miles. Turn right (west) onto Penny Creek Road. After 1.5 miles, bear left onto Big Quilcene River Road (Forest Road 27). Follow this road 12.5 miles-turning left onto FR 2760 for .75 miles for the lower trailhead. For the upper trailhead, continue on FR 27, driving one mile past the junction with FR 2760 to FR 190. Turn left and follow FR 190 for one mile to trailhead.
Notes: NW Forest Pass required
Green Trails Map: Tyler Peak, WA No. 136
Mount Townsend is one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most hiked summits. With easy access, a long hiking season due to its position in the Olympic rainshadow, and unparalleled views of Puget Sound and the eastern half of the Olympic Mountains, it’s easy to see why this peak is so popular.
Of the three trails that lead to the mountain, Mount Townsend trail no. 839 is the route most taken. It’s not the shortest way, but it offers incredible biological diversity-and its one of the best built and maintained trails in the 44,500-acre Buckhorn Wilderness. Most hikers intent on reaching the 6,280-foot open summit opt to begin their journey from the upper trailhead. This saves them 1.2 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain, but at the expense of missing a beautiful old-growth forest and Sink Lake-a small body of water that causes tumbling Townsend Creek to disappear.
From the upper trailhead, the well-worn path climbs steadily through a stately grove of fir and hemlock adorned with Pacific rhododendrons. Soon after the trail enters the Buckhorn Wilderness, the terrain opens up and the views begin. Through flower gardens and by cascading creeks the trail pushes towards the clouds. In 2.5 miles in a small pine and fir grove is small Windy Lake.
Continue on-pass the Silver Lakes Trail junction and leave the trees behind. Alpine tundra rolls out. Ground-hugging juniper and brilliant clumps of cinquefoil and phlox carpet the summit plateau. A short side trail leads to the mountain’s highest point. The main trail continues along the broad open mountaintop. The view is excellent from anywhere along the way.
Puget Sound with its labyrinth of islands, bays, and channels sprawls below. Watch ferries ply the azure waters. Gaze out at the Seattle skyline-glass and metal twinkling in the afternoon sunlight. A fortress of Cascade Peaks, flanked by the snowy volcanoes occupies the eastern horizon.
To the north lie the Dungeness Spit, Discovery Bay, the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. To the west, it’s nothing but pure Olympic wilderness-jagged peaks and deep green valleys. By now it should be apparent why so many area hikers expend a little sweat to reach the top of Mount Townsend.
