Mount Madron by Kamilche Hill sits outside Capitol State Forest. Summit Lake spans two miles to the south, ten miles west of Olympia. Meanwhile, Kennedy Creek on the north flows into Oyster Bay in Puget Sound.
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Mount Madron + Kennedy Creek Peak at a Glance
Access: Old Olympic Highway (PDF Map)
Round Trip: 5 miles
Elevation Range: 10′-951′
Gear: none
Route Info: Lori Holcombe
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Driving Music: Ethereal
Hiking by Kennedy Creek
After my interpretation exam in Olympia, I had some time to kill, so I looked for a new hike in the area. I almost drove south to Crawford Mountain but forgot I’d been there and didn’t put up a post. Then I found Mount Madron and went west instead.
Green Diamond manages the logging area here, with only foot and bike traffic allowed. Soon, I met Maddie, a Golden Retriever, with her owner John as they headed out. Then I walked past Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail through the second gate.
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Bayview Trail to Mount Madron
Dozens of roads paralleled or crossed many mixed-use trails in and out of the trees. But I took the Bayview Trail along the northern crest with Lori’s loop track. Places along the way offered views of Oyster Bay and Kamilche Hill.
The path briefly swung to the west before returning to the crest. Then I was back in the thin forest to finish on the flat and forested summit of Mount Madron. Luckily, the logged slope behind the trees gave west views.
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Kennedy Creek Peak to Finish
I checked out the smoke I saw earlier from the road before leaving. Before long, I was down on the southeast saddle by the quarry pond. Then I took Mimzie Ridge Trail from the six-way fork, followed by Road 2705K1 to the top.
The logged hill also viewed Rock Candy Mountain and Larch Mountain. After taking in the vistas, I dropped north and exited through the powerline. Back at the car, Bill from the area chatted me up about hiking and his exciting new book.
See more trip photos here.