Mount Townsend by Mount Zion overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the northeast corner of the Olympic Mountains. The short ascent from the south yields tremendous views on top. But it’s is even more enjoyable on the trail when snow isn’t present.
See more trip photos here.
For Townsend Mountain in Wild Sky Wilderness, check out this post.
Mount Townsend at a Glance
Access: NF-27
Round Trip: 7.5 miles
Elevation Range: 3180′-6280′
Gear: snowshoes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
Mount Townsend
My choral group had a performance in Port Townsend. So I looked for a nearby hike and came across Mount Townsend. Then the pups and I made use of the beautiful morning to visit the mountain.
It was our first trip to the Olympic Mountains. Since I had no recent info about the area, I worried about the snow on the road. But the goal was to be back at the car by 2 PM to make the concert call time.
See more trip photos here.
Road 2700-190
The late spring snow on Road 27 had forced me to stop at 1.5 miles before the upper trailhead. Trying to continue in the slush would’ve likely gotten is in trouble. So we began walking from there.
We were able to stay on the trail for quite a while. Later I put on snowshoes before going directly up the hills. I could’ve gone up without the gear, but it would’ve taken longer. Glad that I had brought them along.
See more trip photos here.
Mount Townsend Summit Views
Judging by the trail condition, it hasn’t snowed for some time. I also didn’t see any recent tracks, so it was just us here. It was a clear day with spectacular views. Nearby peaks included Buckhorn Mountain and Maynard Peak.
The horizon was hazy; otherwise, I knew I could see Canada from the top. It also felt surreal to be in the Olympic Mountains. I usually only see the peaks here from Seattle on my drive to work.
See more trip photos here.
Outro
I had planned on making more trips out to the Olympic Mountains this summer. So get ready, pups!
