Upper Big Quilcene River Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Lots of trailhead parking. Composting toilet. Getting to the trailhead requires some navigation but various maps apps, when in service, should provide correct directions.

A tough out-and-back option but doable.

There is lots of trailhead parking for this one, with access to the Lower Big Quilcene, which is a more popular mountain biking trail. The road itself continues down a bend and across a bridge to a dead-end.

If you're heading west from the trailhead, expect to go up and vice versa. Though tough at times, this one gets you to a couple nice but popular dispersed campgrounds (Shelter Rock in the forest by the river, Camp Mystery up in the meadow before Marmot Pass), beautiful Marmot Pass, and numerous backpacking options further in every direction.

This trail, by itself, makes for a solid day hike or good overnight option.