Marmot Pass, Olympic National Forest

The easternmost peak in the Olympic Mountains, Mount Walker offers commanding views of Hood Canal and the Puget Sound Basin below, But this hike’s best attribute is its abundance of rhododendrons. Hike up Mount Walker when the rhodies are in bloom and experience a purple mountain majesty!

Yes, you can drive to the top of Mount Walker. But why when there is a great trail to take instead! And if you’d like to have the summit sans automobiles—then consider a hike up Walker when the road is gated and closed to vehicles. It’s also during that time that you can consider a loop hike by returning on the road. On the rare occasions that snow accumulates on this low Olympic peak, the road makes for an excellent snowshoe or cross country ski route.

The trail immediately starts climbing through a tunnel of rhododendrons under a uniform canopy of second-growth cedars and hemlocks.

Washington’s state flower, the Pacific (or coast) rhododendron, grows in profusion here. For much of the year the rhodies merely add a layer of dark green to the forest understory. But come late spring this hardy shrub begins to blossom, speckling the surrounding firs and hemlocks with rosy-purple bouquets.

By June, vibrant violet bell-shaped blossoms ring throughout the emerald forest. Mount Walker is one of the best places in Washington to appreciate this beautiful flower. The trail climbs steeply. As you toil, look up to see if you can locate any of the old wire and insulators that once serviced a fire tower on the summit. After 2 miles and nearly 2000 feet of climbing reach the North Summit viewpoint, which was the site of a fire lookout from 1931—1967.

Enjoy good but limited views west and north here. Then head to the South Summit (dogs must be leashed at the summits) by walking the graveled Summit Road for 0.4 mile to a picnic area and then following a 0.1 mile trail Mt.Walker Trail FR 2730 North Summit Mt. Walker South Point Olympic National Forest to a breathtaking panoramic view of Puget Sound. Stare straight down to Quilcene Bay, Dabob Bay and the Toanodos Peninsula. Across the sparkling waters, Green and Gold Mountains rise on the Kitsap Peninsula. When clouds are absent or high in the sky, Mount Rainier adds a snowy backdrop to this beautiful scene. And if you’re here in June, the view will be framed with fragrant purple boughs.