Elk Lake Trail is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lilliwaup, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October.
Lower half of trail is easy where the upper half of trail is steep, narrow, and there is a huge drop off on one side. This trail has awesome views.
Washington State Tourism, P.O. Box 42500 , Olympia, WA, 98504-2500, Phone: 360-586-2088, tobyg@tourism.wa.gov
Directions from Hoodsport: Travel US Highway 101 10 miles north to Jorsted Creek Rd (FS Road 24). Follow 24 for 1.25 miles to FS 2480. Continue on FS Rd 2480 for 5.5 miles to the spur road and trailhead.
February 26, 2021As you read this, your impression may be that I should have known better. The things I will report were also mentioned by others, I suppose I just thought they were not a deal breaker. I was wrong! First of all, Forest road 2421, which is the last 1.4 miles to the trail head has about 10 washouts across the road. Some are deep enough that people have put logs in them to cross. You must have a vehicle with high clearance to get to the trailhead. #2, Adam's review was spot on. There are probably 40 fallen trees across the trail. At some points you are climbing over or under a tree about every 50 yards. There is one spot with about 6 trees piled up, about 5 feet high, across the trail and you have to climb over. Last of all, the lake is not that great. My wife and I have spent last summer hiking to alpine lakes and Elk lake is not that. There is not even a good place to sit and have lunch at the lake. My advice.... stay on forest road 2480 and drive to the south end of the trail, the walk is a lot shorter. The best views on this trail are actually from the road.
February 21, 2021The trail is covered in blown down trees. Probably close to 40 from north trailhead all the way to the south trailhead. Had a lot of over and under, the views were amazing the cliffs by the north trailhead were scetch. The views were amazing. Oh did I mention the views were amazing. The lower half of the trail ( from Elk lake up the river) was covered in heavy wet snow about 4-12” depending but what amazing views
February 7, 2021The trail has not been maintained in a long while. Many fallen trees. It was still a fun short hike to the lake. Not much else to see though. Also the road up to the trail head is a bit rough with many ditches. A lifted car will help.
November 8, 2020July 12, 2020The road is open but the trail has not been cleared so it was very bushy with several trees across it. the parking area was very small and covered in tall grass since it has not been used in a while. It looked like maybe one other person had hiked from the top trailhead. We also ventured to the Lower trailhead afterwards which was on an unmarked road (a short steep road on the right next to a wood post. It looked like a deadend area someone camped at but The elk lake sign is 25ft down the trail that we could see from the car). We were not to impressed with the lake either
July 11, 2020trail now open, but very overgrown and trees to climb over and under. We started from the upper trailhead
June 28, 2020The trail is closed due to the road getting to the trail being deemed a hazardous area.
February 15, 2020The gate was open today where previously it had been closed, and we headed up the side of the mountain to try to find the trailhead. There was evidently a lot of logging in the area, and we never did find the trailhead. When we arrived back at the gate, a sign had been placed that said "logging trucks only, gate can close at any time". Dodged that one.
March 17, 2019Gate closed where you would turn off HammaHamma rd. Parked there and walked up the road to the trail. Trail started out okay, but quickly became an obstacle course of trees that had fallen across it. The area had burned and trees were all over so we only made it about a mile in. Will try again in a month or so.
November 24, 2018FR 2480 was closed with gate and sign 4.5 miles in. Make sure you call ahead to see if open. Just putting 3 star to be able to leave a comment.
July 28, 2018An amazing easy hike . I will be back
May 13, 2018Lower half of trail is easy, family and dog friendly. Upper half of trail is steep, narrow, and huge drop off on one side. Made me very nervous with my dog, and would not recommend for nervous mothers of small children. Awesome views and a great work out though!!
January 12, 2018This hike featured many waterfalls (several of which we had to walk though to continue on the trail). I would not take my kids on this again. One side of the trail is a straight drop down and it made me nervous having my 6 and 2 year old.
August 10, 2017Great spot for an overnight on the way to climb Mount Olympus! Lots of bugs and the water source is a decent walk!
October 22, 2016This trail has several TH. I entered from FS 2421. Some trees across the trail, but all passable.
July 5, 2016
First to ReviewParked at the trailhead off FR2401. It is down a very short, but very steep spur from the main road. Our party checked out Jefferson Creek and although it was dry, the rocks looked too treacherous to cross. Continued back up the main 805 trail. It is a little overgrown in parts and there are a couple of small trees down. The creek bed about a half mile down was completely dry and we were able to continue on to Upper Elk Lake along the trail. Huge cedars lined this part of the trail. After crossing over the road, it was a quick hike up the steepest part of the trail to Upper Elk Lake. Saw lots of trees in the process of being taken down by beavers. Roundtrip was less than 2 miles.
December 28, 2020January 6, 2019May 21, 2018May 21, 2018April 21, 2018
