lower big quilcene trail

This trail is my new favorite for hikes in the Olympic peninsula that are within an hour of a Seattle ferry. It has a very gradual and small elevation change (700 ft ish) over the 5+ miles in. The bridgework mentioned in other reviews is done and they are lovely and complement the area. We even saw a bear in the way back out (after hiking 9+miles) so be sure to make noise and be aware.

Usually makes a beautiful winter hike along a river, but unfortunately all three bridges are being worked on and the trail will not re-open till April.

Very beautiful and amazing to see those huge big red cedar trees.

We did the Lower Big Quilcene Trail three weeks ago. After a trip there previously in the car to just scope out the area, we were ready to go back and see what the eastern part of the Olympic range had to offer in terms of mtn. biking. Since I ride a mtn. bike from 1986 w/o any shocks, a trail that's relatively free of major drop offs and obstacles is more to my liking. This trail fits that description quite well, and more. The beautiful Quilcene River flows directly adjacent to the trail, and the two slowly wind their way up the mountain side. In fact, starting at the TH you actually go downhill, then start climbing. This process repeats itself over and over until the last third of the trail where it finally starts climbing non-stop to the end of the bike section. Its not grueling either, so if you're relatively new to off-road riding then this is a great place to go after you've been on a few beginner trails. There are some trees and overgrown shrubs, but with this years winter it was to be expected. The only letdown is when you get to the end of the bike section and end up at the road. Here you'll find lots of hikers with their parked cars getting ready to do the upper section of the trail which is off limits to mtn bikers. Their attitude is less than stellar when you show up on a mtn bike. Pay no attention to them and headback down the road, or back down the trail, your choice! Downhill on road takes a while, probably twenty minutes of casual riding. So, give it a try. and let me know what you think of it.