DIRECTIONS: Follow highway 101 North to Quinault Lake and turn onto the South Shore Road. Continue to the Ranger Station.create
SUMMARY: From the Ranger Station, follow the trail leading to the lake that passes in front the Quinault Lodge. Follow the lake shore to the Willaby Creek Campground. The trail turns and goes southeast, crosses Willaby Creek and pass under the highway bridge. The trail enters the rain forest with gigantic trees (firs, spruces and cedars), moss, fern, devil's club and all kind of green vegetation. It starts climbing along a canyon to an intersection with the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail. I highly recommend to make the additional 1km loop (turning right at the intersection)! Otherwise, turn the left. The trail goes through western hemlock, crosses Willaby Creek and wanders through a swamp with dead trees and red cedars. Continue towards Falls Creek and head down to the lake, near falls Creek Campground. Finish the loop along Quinault Lake shore and back to the ranger station.create
Overnight at Moonshine Flat.
The view on the top is fabulous.
Lots of avalanche lily near and above the flat. On the switchback slope, tons of columbine blooming.
Great timing for flowers.
Not very crowded. Maybe because of the rain. It rained on Saturday evening. About 4-5 tents. ~20-30 day hikers.