Mount Ellinor and Mount Washington share a ridgeline, perching above Lake Cushman. It lies in the Olympic Mountains bordering Mount Skokomish Wilderness. Moreover, the trail by North Branch Creek reaches the summit directly.
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Mount Ellinor at a Glance
Access: Mount Ellinor Upper Trailhead
Round Trip: 3.6 miles
Elevation Range: 3540′-5920′
Gear: microspikes
GPS track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
The Preface
I wanted to warm up for our Mount Rainier climb the next day. So I ventured to the Olympics for something quick and relatively straightforward. Starting from the upper parking lot made the hike shorter than anticipated.
Since I needed to return to Seattle in time to run last-minute errands, I started higher on the mountain. But I would’ve started lower if I didn’t need a decent sleep. So I could get more mileage out of it for that much driving.
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The Climb Plus Exit
There were no views from the parking lot. Then more clouds appeared higher up as I neared the summit. It was sunny with a blue sky overhead and mainly clear. But the clouds drifted in and out of the valleys to see anything decent.
Mount Washington was the only visible peak from the top. But I wished there’d be more to see on this pleasant outing. I enjoyed a long break and chatted with a couple from Oregon before leaving. Then it was off to Seattle!
See more trip photos here.