Sunday, my friend Terry and I got out and did a quick morning hike before the Super Bowl. He had never done Pyramid Peak or experienced crossing the landslide up there, so we decided to truck on up there.

We reached to trailhead at 7:30, it was just getting light enough to see, and the weather was cold and wet, but not actually raining. It was more of a heavy fog. Regardless, we set off.

On the trail

The trail climbs steadily for the first 2 miles or so crossing a couple streams and eventually opens into the probably most exciting part of the hike. Sure the peak is awesome, but crossing this slide is  probably the most heart pumping part.

The first time I ever came upon this washout, I looked down, I looked up, the ground was dry and sloughing away as I was looking at it… I decided, since I was alone that I wouldn’t risk crossing it. The next time I went up there I had a few friends with me so that if one of us fell, the others could call for rescue. Today, due to the moisture, the ground was a bit more secure and I didn’t feel it was as risky as before. It was still quite an experience:

Shortly after the slide, the trail crosses a couple more little, easily crossed washouts and then turns upward, switchbacking right up to the top of the ridge. Once at the top of the ridge you cross in and out of the National forest boundary a couple times, catching sight of the old logging road that ends right up at this point. I’m not sure if the road is gated off below, but presumably, you can drive or ride your bike right up to this point.

From here, it’s 1 mile to the peak. There’s a couple more switchbacks and a few steep pushes before a cedar shingled building comes into view. During World War II this was a lookout station keeping the northwest safe from invading Japanese warplanes. Its a great spot to look over Canada to the north, Storm King Mt and Aurora Ridge to the south and Lake Crescent below. Watch your step as there is a sheer drop on 3 sides of the point. Today there was a solid wall of fog sequestering the view, so Terry stated he’d have to come up on a better day to get the full effect.

The Lookout

Shortly after reaching the top, the wind and moisture was thoroughly chilling us, so we set off back down the mountain. Needless to say, the trip down was much quicker than the trip up.

An interesting little event; on on of the switchbacks I happened to glance down and I saw a carrot on the side of the path, but something about it caught my eye. I picked it up and noticed that it was just a regular little carrot, but it was half-eaten and remarkably, it had started taking root, growing a small tuft of new growth. It was pretty cool. I transplanted it  a little further off the path and next time I head up there, I’ll check on it.

Returning across the landslide was a little easier this time and soon we were back at the car. The trip up was about 2 hours 15 minutes. The trip down took 1 hour 10 minutes. It was an eye opening experience for both of us as far as our fitness level being atrophied over the winter. We need to get out more this year.

Here’s a Google Earth file of the path: (Pyramid Peak) (The path from the parking area to the east is driving, I forgot to turn of the tracking.)

As many times as I have done The High Divide and passed the trail that leads down into the Seven Lakes Basin, I have never actually gone down into it. So, I packed my fishing pole, checked the weather forecast, (it called for rain), and set out super early so that I would have enough time to do everything I wanted.

I hit the trail at 5:30 in the morning. It was just getting light and I could just make out the trail without a flashlight. I wanted to get to Deer Lake before it got too light and the fish had eaten their fill. It’s about 4 miles up to the lake and I made it in about an hour and a half. The sun was just lighting up the tops of the hills around Deer lake and I was beginning to think that the weatherman got it wrong again. Oh well, I don’t mind it when he says it’s going to rain and it doesn’t.

Brook Trout from Deer Lake

I walked around to the back side of the lake where the stream feeds it. I have always had my best luck at the mouths of streams. I figure it’s because it feed the lakes with fresh water and food and bugs as well.  There’s a little gravel bar poking out into the lake that I just couldn’t reach without getting wet, so I took off my boots and socks, slopped through the boggy grassy area and came out onto the bar.

There’s nothing more annoying while you are trying to enjoy a peaceful, quiet morning fishing for mountain trout than a fish that swallows a treble hook and ends up dying from getting torn up trying to get it out. I have cut off 2 of the 3 hooks on all my spinners, and on most of them even pinched the barbs down on them. It paid off today. The fish were ferocious. The first one I caught I thought was twice as big as it really was. But in reality it was only about 8 or 9 inches long. He took the hook quite a ways down his throat, but thanks to the barbless single hook it slipped right out and he was able to swim away without any damage.  They were slow to bite, but when they did they were fighters. It was fun.

Fields of Heather

After about 45 minutes in the water, I called it quits, dried off my feet, put on my extra set of socks and set off up towards Lunch Lake. From Deer Lake it’s about 4 more miles, nearly all uphill but the flowers were in full bloom which made it a little more bearable. Red heather, yellow heather, lupine,  bear grass, avalanche lilies, indian paintbrush, subalpine spiraea, cascade azalea (a type of rhododendron), tiger lilies, and several others were present a various points along  the way. Red mountain heather dominated the landscape though.

Above Deer Lake, just above the area called “the potholes” is a switchbacked, rocky climb that for some reason, I dread more than any other section on this whole trail. It’s really not that bad, but it just seems to go on forever. This time, however, it wasn’t as bad as I remember. It’s probably because I’m in better shape than I have been in years, and also, the Red Mountain Heather was thick. I have never seen it so thick and colorful.

On the top of that hill the trail levels out a bit and turns into a softer, less rocky forest trail. It follows along the south side of the ridge and goes in and out of the forest; the clear spots offering views down into the valley and to the hillside on the far side. Snow fields fill the low spots on the opposite side year round and if you are lucky, mountain goats and an occasional black bear can be seen. In one section of this part of the trail, the smell of elk filled the air. On previous trips I have seen the herd in the valley below, but have never smelled them this distinctly. I was sure that they would bust out of the brush at any moment, spooked by my presence, but I never saw them.

Lunch Lake From Above

Finally around 10:00 I reached the trail down to the basin. There’s a beautiful little viewpoint at the top, just before the descent that a group was taking the opportunity to take some pictures. I did too. As soon as I began dropping down the trail I knew that it was going to be a pain to get back up out of there when I left: the trail was steep and rocky, but it was only about a half mile down, and it went by quickly. On the way down I passed a family that had camped at the lake that night and now the 2 kids with them were showing their displeasure at being loaded down with gear having to climb this sadistic grade. I let them know that once they reached the top of this one, it was all downhill from there.

Upon reaching the lake, I immediately noticed a boulder field on the uphill side that looked perfect for fishing. I made my way over and perched on a promising looking rock and cast my line. It was at this precise moment that my head started to burn. I rubbed it and felt a mass of little bumps and as I removed my hand, about 5 mosquitoes fell onto the rock around me. Those little bastards were thick in the air.  I couldn’t believe that I forgot my bug spray. I grabbed a spare shirt and covered my head and neck which helped quite a bit but they were on my arms now too. It’s a pain in the ass to try and fish and swat mosquitoes at the same time. I checked my first aid kit to see it there was anything I could use. The closest thing I could find were some disinfecting wipes. I figured perhaps the chemicals in it would be hostile to their noses. I couldn’t tell much difference. I think I left about 3 pounds of dead mosquitoes on that rock, and to top it all off, I didn’t catch anything at that spot.

Lunch Lake Brook Trout

Continuing around the lake counter-clockwise the shore offer many great areas that would be great for swimming or fishing. It drops off quickly and the water is beautifully clear. But I didn’t have much luck. There was one spot where there was a boulder half in the water. I climbed up onto it and as soon as I poked my head over, I saw a fish dart off into the deep. No luck there either. Finally on the side opposite the trail and campsites, there’s a shore made of large gravel. That’s where I had my first bite. But they are crafty little fish and that was the only bite. On down the shore a ways I finally hooked one. This one fought like it was twice as big as it really was. Also, using my ultra-light pole made it even more of a blast taking them in.

Spinners did ok, but I would imagine that if you had some live bait, or PowerBait, that you could knock them dead and make one heck of a meal out of these guys.

I noticed a sign pointing down a hill towards Clear Lake. I figured what the heck, I’m here to explore, let’s explore. Half way down to the lake I was already regretting it. It was steeper and rockier than the trail down to Lunch Lake. Oh well, I was committed to the cause and kept going. Upon reaching Clear Lake, I noticed it was a lot less clear than the Other lakes in the range. It had that brownish tinge to it and appeared quite stagnant. It was lunch time, but I didn’t want to hang out here and eat; It just wasn’t that inspiring. So I trucked on back up the hill, my legs weakening from hunger, but before long I made it back to Lunch Lake and had lunch.

Yellow Mountain Heather

I had some bread in a hard container, some habanero cheese from our trip to Tillamook last week, and some ham. Two sandwiches later I was stuffed and ready to go. By that time the clouds were rolling in and it was cooling down considerably. The weather man did call for afternoon showers and it looked like he was going to be right afterall. I told myself to take it easy on the way back up. Normally I push hard to get the heart going and sweat flowing. Today I held myself back to keep my self dry. I wasn’t in the mood to get chilled like that. So I took it easy coming up out of the basin and before i knew it I was at the top of the hill, crossing the last patch of snow and beginning the downhill slide back to Deer Lake.

I must have eaten too much because my gut started growling at me and I felt like I was going to lose it. I slowed down some more to try and let it settle. A rain drop hit me.  And another. I pulled my hat out of my pack to keep my face and neck dry and before long I was back above Deer Lake coming down that stretch of trail to the potholes. Around this time I started passing groups of people on their way up to the basin and other campsites in the area. I thought  to myself they sure are getting late starts, but who am I to make those judgments?

Red Mountain Heather

At Deer Lake I recharged again, drank a red bull that the wife had got for me and stretched out a bit in preparation for the final 4 miles down the hill. By now the sun had popped out again so I took off my long sleeves and hat, I never wear long sleeves if I don’t have to.

I tried taking it easy down the hill, but old habits die hard and before I knew it I was skipping along, bouncing over the rocks and working on my footwork. I passed several more groups of people coming up the hill, wished them luck with their trips and kept on cruising.

I reached the car at 4:30. I had originally scheduled to meet up with the family at the Hot Springs at 5:00 so this was about perfect. I drove down to the resort, bought an overpriced 6 pack and had a couple beers before the wife and kids showed up for a relaxing evening in the pools. It felt so good. I could have hung out in there for hours, but dinner time was approaching and we left there about 7:00, had some burgers and went home. I was so beat that we decided to clean up in the morning. The rest of the night was meant for relaxing.

On the north shore of Lake Crescent towards the end of Camp David Jr. Rd is an inconspicuous little trailhead on the lake. The trail traverses the hillside and after about 3.5 miles place you up on the peak overlooking the whole lake. (Driving directions to trailhead from Port Angeles)

There is ample parking and a privy, but no clean water, so be sure to bring your own.  Insect repellent is a must as well; under the cover of the trees the no-see-ums are thick enough to actually see-um. Also, don’t do this one alone. There is a washout on the hillside that is easily traversable, but in the event of an accident, you can be left in a world of hurt. Just to be completely safe, the buddy system here is vital. I say “washout” but it’s more like a landslide, which is a few years old now, and several hundred feet above the forest floor. A tumble here would mean a long mostly uncontrollable slide down a dusty, rocky near-vertical face. Regardless, hundreds of hikers have passed over its’ face in the previous years without incident, so a little caution goes a long way.

So, park in the parking area, no entry permit required, and make your way about a hundred feet back up the road the way you came. The trail begins on the uphill side and makes its way through the undergrowth and before long opens up into a Douglas Fir forest. Nearly the entire trail is on the south side of the mountain with occasional peeks down to the crystal green and blue waters of Lake Crescent. Across the lake, busy Highway 101 can be seen.

The bulk of the hike is quite generic, the exceptions being the landslide traverse and the destination. You cross a couple small streams in the beginning, but nothing to write home about. Approximately 1.5 miles up the trail is where you will encounter the first and only real obstacle in the path.. Officially, the trail is (reluctantly) closed at this point, but the park actually tries their best to keep a path dug into the 150 or so foot face of the hillside. On a nice dry day you can hear the hillside sluffing away and pebbles and sand sliding down into oblivion. Just be careful, don’t be an idiot and it really isn’t that bad. (Notice the big scar in the hillside, about the halfway point, in the picture below. Also, the map below states it is 2.5 miles: It’s really closer to 3.5)

Approximate route of Pyramid Peak Trail

Trails of Lake Crescent

Once across the slide, the trail begins to climb a little more aggressively. Up a few switchbacks you finally crest the ridge and begin the traverse to the peak. Off the your left you can see an old logging road: This section of the trail jogs in and out of National Park boundaries and actually, at times, into old clear cuts from days of old.

Before you know it, you complete the final push up the last hill and you immediately notice an old shack perched on the tippy-top if the peak. This was an old World War II enemy plane spotter station. Stepping past the cabin, you are rewarded with views of the entirety of Lake Crescent, nearly all the way to Port Angeles to the east and the Straight of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island to the north. Aurora Ridge to the south, across the lake, blocks most of the view to the Olympic Mountains.  Be careful exploring the area, there are loose rocky ledges all around. It’s a wonderful place for lunch, soaking up some sun, (if it’s out), and enjoying the scenery before beginning your descent back to the lake-side.

Once back at the car, just below the parking area is a perfect little spot for taking a dip in the lake. There’s a small dock on the water, perfect for diving, or just for relaxing in the sun.