Hike of the Week: Quillayute Slough

Quiet James Pond makes for good birdwatching opportunities

Quillayute Slough

Lazy River at Ocean’s edge

by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

January 18, 2008
Quick Facts
Location: Olympic Coast
Land Agency: Olympic National Park
Roundtrip: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 50 feet
Green Trail Map: La Push, WA- No. 163S
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100
Notes: Dogs prohibited
Access: From Port Angeles follow US 101 west for 55 miles to the junction with SR 110 (located two miles north of Forks). Continue west on SR 110. In 7.75 miles at Quillayute Prairie bear right onto Mora Road and proceed for 3.3 miles to the Mora Ranger Station. Park here, trailhead located east side of parking lot.

Here’s a quiet trail within earshot of a busy campground and not too far from the ever popular Rialto Beach. Take to the Quillayute Slough Trail to escape the crowds, to scope out fishing spots, or perhaps as an add-on hike after returning from Rialto. This short and easy trail winds through giant spruce trees along a rainforest river. A great spot for birdwatching or wildlife observing, the Quillayute is renowned for its steelhead and salmon runs.
Formed from where the Bogachiel, Sol Duc and Calawah Rivers all meet, the Quillayute is a short river that slices through lush bottomlands before emptying out in the Pacific near the Quileute Nation community of La Push. This short trail follows along one of the river’s sloughs, just a short distance from its mouth. The pounding surf of the ocean can be heard in the distance while walking alongside this mellow waterway.
The trail starts out flat and gentle through a forest of scaly-barked spruces draped and carpeted with mosses. After about a .25 mile the trail comes up on a small ridge providing good viewing of the slough below. In a .5 mile you’ll come to a junction. The trail right leads a short way down to the slough passing a massive old Sitka spruce en route. Expect wet footing here but also good viewing of the river. The main trail continues left leading .3 mile to the Mora Road at the national park boundary.
If after hiking this short trail you still itch for more walking, retrace your steps back to the trailhead then carefully cross Mora Road to the James Pond Trail. This short half mile loop leads to a peaceful oxbow pond surrounded by lush vegetation. Bird watching is good at James where ducks, herons, and eagles can frequently be observed.


For information on lodging and other attractions near Quillayute Slough visit
Click here for link to Olympic Pennsula