Hike of the Week: Mount Rose

Sweet views of Lake Cushman from Mount Rose

Mount Rose

How sweet are thy views!

by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

Quick Facts
Location: Staircase Area, Southeast Olympic Peninsula
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Roundtrip: 6.4 miles
Elevation gain: 3,500 feet
Contact: Hood Canal District, Quilcene (360) 765-2200; http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic
Green Trails Map: Mt. Steel WA-No 167
Access: From Shelton, travel north on US 101 for 15 miles to Hoodsport. Turn left onto SR 119 proceeding 9.3 miles to a T-intersection with FR 24. Make a sharp left and continue on SR 119. In 1.7 miles SR 119 ends and road becomes gravel. Continue for one more mile to the trailhead located on your right.

Consider Mount Rose an alternative to nearby Mount Ellinor. When half of Olympia is crowding Ellinor’s summit like goats in a salt lick, you just might be savoring the sweet offerings of Rose all to yourself. But be forewarned. This is a challenging hike; one of the steepest trails in the Olympics. But, it’s worth every ounce of sweat expended; from beautiful high elevation old-growth forests to knock-out views of Lake Cushman 3,500 feet directly below.
Starting on an old road, this is the only level walking you’ll see on this hike. Switch to narrower tread and start switchbacking to the heavens. A carpet of salal lines the trail. Uniform second growth with a few remnant giants offer needed shade. Despite the roar of a distant creek, the slope is dry.
After one mile and one thousand feet of climbing a bench with a view of Lake Cushman invites a break. Now enter the Mount Skokomish Wilderness, one of five protected wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest. Just shy of two miles after passing a small cascade reach the summit loop junction (el 3,050 ft). Take the trail left; it’s shorter and steeper, leaving the more gradual option for the descent, relieving your knees.
The summit loop climbs 1,300 feet in just over a mile mostly through cool old-growth to reach the 4,300-foot forested summit. Don’t despair, for a small vertigo-inducing rock outcropping juts out of the forest providing panoramic payoff. Directly below is Lake Cushman, waters sparkling in the summer sun. Lightening Peak and Timber Mountain rise majestically behind it. The Skokomish Delta, Black and Willapa Hills and Mount Rainier are all visible from this pulse-rising promontory.
After your rosy outlook, continue on the loop. Along a forested ledge, the trail makes a 1.7 mile saner return to the loop junction. Now brace your knees for the brutally steep descent.

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