Hike of the Week: Royal Lake
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| Soak in sublime beauty at Royal Lake |
Royal Lake
Crown jewel of the Olympic Rainshadow
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
Quick Facts
Location: Northeast Olympic Peninsula
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 14.0 miles
Elevation gain: 2,650 feet
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100; http://www.nps.gov/olym
Green Trails Map: Tyler Peak, WA-No 136
Notes: NW Forest Pass required; Dogs-prohibited at national park boundary (1.3 miles)
Access: Take US 101 to Louella Road located directly across from the entrance to Sequim Bay State Park. In one mile turn left onto Palo Alto road and continue for 6 miles to a junction. Bear right onto FR 2880; cross the Dungeness River and come to a junction in 1.7 miles. Turn left on FR 2870. In 2.6 miles, bear right at a junction continuing on FR 2870 for 6.5 miles to a large parking area just past the Dungeness River Bridge.
A beautiful alpine lake flanked by some of the highest and craggiest peaks in the Olympic Mountains, Royal is a fine objective for strong day hikers. A favorite haunt for backpackers, the trip is long, but mostly gentle weaving through primeval forests and along a crashing creek fed by glaciers.
The trip begins on the popular Dungeness River Trail. In one mile, after gently traversing an ancient grove of towering fir, reach a junction. Head right. Soon after passing another trail junction enter Olympic National Park.
Through thick forest carpeted in moss and landscaped with rhododendrons, the trail heads gracefully up the Royal Creek Valley. The creek crashes and churns through the deep narrow valley. You’ll need to hop over several tributaries; feet-wetters early in the season but none too difficult to negotiate.
Just shy of three miles cross the first of several brushy avalanche chutes. As nettles zap you, look up at a fortress of towering peaks. After 5.0 miles, the way steepens, the trail now ascending rocky and open slopes. Crest a headwall and pause for impressive views up and down the U-shaped valley.
Royal Creek plummets over the headwall, but upstream it flows gently and quietly. The trail too resumes a gentle march, entering the hanging valley housing Royal Lake. With 7,000 foot giants, Mounts Clark and Walkinshaw casting shadows upon you, traverse willow flats and a lovely meadow basin bursting with wildflowers.
After crossing Royal Creek on a sturdy log bridge make one last albeit short climb to Royal Lake. Here at an elevation just over 5,000 feet majestic peaks loom above the quiet body of water. In early summer the shoreline is adorned in purple regalia, thanks to thousands of blossoming shooting stars. A short trail goes around the lake. Wander it sharing splendid shoreline lunch spots with deer, ground squirrels and marmots.
Energetic day hikers can continue another mile climbing 500 feet higher into the magnificent Royal Basin where deep blue tarns reflect a ring of rugged rocky peaks clad in snow and ice, including Mount Deception (el 7,788), second highest mountain in the Olympics
For information on lodging and other attractions near Royal Lake visit
Click here for link to Olympic Pennsula
