Father Guido Sarducci went backpacking August 27 to August 29, 2018 38.18 miles 8,000 feet gained 2 nights

Appleton Pass—Up the Elwha-Out the Soleduck

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In the not to distant past the Boulder Creek Campgound & hot springs would be overflowing this time of year but ever since the Elwha took out the road approx 2 miles from hwy101, necessating a now 8 mile road walk to the Appleton Pass TH, one basically has solitude on this hike all the way to Appleton Pass. In fact I had the campground & hot springs entirely to myself which was nice but kinda eerie in a way. The hike up to Appleton Pass on day 2 was pleasant with many water sources & the lower Boulder Creek Falls is definitely worth a view. Found a nice site @ Appleton Pass & spent the rest of the day exploring. Very nice views in which Mt. Olympus can be seen to the S/W. Next day took the way trail down to Cat Basin & from there back to the High Divide/Seven Lakes Basin area which was teaming with hikers and made my way to the Soleduck TH.

Trail Talk

1 person has hearted this trip.

Jen · September 2, 2018

Wow that is so cool,the idea of an abandoned campground with a hot spring! Could you bike the road? How did you get between the 2 trailheads?

Father Guido Sarducci · September 4, 2018

Yes you could bike the road. I was able to hitch a ride from the Soleduck TH to where my car was parked.