APPLETON PASS TRAIL Length 7.8 mi/12.6 km Access Elwha River Road; Soleduck Trail USGS Map Mount Carrie Agency Olympic National Park This route links Olympic Hot Springs with the Soleduck Trail. The pass lies on the divide between the Soleduck and Elwha watersheds, and the trail follows the valley of Boulder Creek. Obtaining water is not a problem because streams cross the trail at frequent intervals. Beginning 2.2 mi/3.5 km from the end of the Boulder Creek section of the Elwha River Road, at a junction with the Olympic Hot Springs Trail near Boulder Creek campground (2200 ft/671 m), the trail winds through the shaded coolness of Douglas fir and western hemlock to a junction with the Boulder Lake Trail (0.6 mi/ 1.0 km; 2350 ft/716 m). The ground beneath the trees is open in many places, with skunk cabbage growing in the swampy spots. About a half mile beyond this junction, the forest changes abruptly, and silver fir competes with the other species. The ground cover consists of huckleberry and vanilla leaf, with devil's club near the streams. After crossing the North Fork of Boulder Creek, the trail contours near the picturesque falls in the South Fork. At this point (1.5 mi/2.4 km) a side path descends to Lower Boulder Creek Falls, where the South Fork leaps about 30 feet into a large bowl, then makes a series of cascades. This spot is cool on the hottest days, and the windblown spray is refreshing. A small campsite is located nearby. The trail now begins to climb, switchbacking as it parallels the South Fork. A second side path (1.7 mi/2.7 km) leads to Upper Boulder Creek Falls and another little campsite. The falls arc narrower than the ones below, and it is more difficult to obtain a good view. The creek cascades perhaps 60 feet, first jumping 30 feet to a ledge, and then angling back to the right, thus more or less forming a crescent. The trail crosses the South Fork, and the murmuring of little brooks can be heard around bends in the path. At one point the trail overlooks an avalanche track, where slides have swept down the flanks of Mount Appleton. The path then makes a long, ascending traverse to another camp (2.4 mi/3.9 km), crosses several avalanche tracks as it climbs through subalpine forest, and switchbacks up through a jungle of slide alder. The creek, not far below, chatters constantly. Breaking out into open country, the now stony trail enters a large meadow where big boulders are strewn around. Marmots sit upon the rocks and stare at the bipeds, which dare to intrude upon their domain. A huge rock near the meadow's edge is a favorite perch, probably because it is high and offers a good lookout. Wildflowers are abundant in midsummer. The display includes azalea, Sitka valerian, broadleaf arnica, common bistort, false hellebore, lupine, spiraea, paintbrush, and avalanche lily. Huckleberries, mountain ash, slide alder, and willow is the predominant bushy plant. The trail switchbacks a couple of times, then crosses the South Fork of Boulder Creek twice. Beyond this point the switchbacks end for a while, then the trail makes a half dozen as it climbs to a basin. Tarn Camp is located here, beside a little pond, which often disappears, in late summer. The path now makes nine short, steep switchbacks as it climbs to Appleton Pass (5.2 mi/8.4 km; 5050 ft/1539 m), the low point in the divide between Boulder Creek and the Soleduck River. The Cat Creek Way Trail begins here, and several campsites are located near the pass, where the high-country views arc outstanding. Mount Appleton looms to the north. One can obtain water from Oyster Lake or a nearby stream. Beyond Appleton Pass the trail descends sharply, via switchbacks and long traverses, to the Soleduck River. The forest consists of subalpine fir and mountain hemlock at the higher elevations; otherwise it is mostly western hemlock, with scattered Douglas fir, western white pine, Alaska cedar, and silver fir. Upon leaving the pass, the route at first traverses a mixture of heather meadows and stands of subalpine firs, with views across the upper Soleduck to Soleduck Park and the High Divide. Mount Olympus and Mount Tom rise above the latter. Flowers include spiraea, Columbia lily, paintbrush, beargrass, and penstemons. As the trail switchbacks down the slope, the forest becomes thicker, but windows appear now and then where one can look out to Mount Olympus. Below the meadowland, the trail goes by two potholes (6.0 mi/9.7 km; 4600 ft/ 1402 m). The stagnant tarns are unattractive, and although the water can be used, it should be boiled. Beargrass, lupine, and huckleberry are abundant in this area. So, too, are mosquitoes. About a half mile beyond the potholes the views disappear, but the sound of the Soleduck River can be hear coming up from below. As the trail switchbacks down the steep slope, the undergrowth becomes sparse. The trail then traverses a slide zone grown up with bracken fern and vine maple and crosses Rocky Creek at the far end (7.4 mi/11.9 km; 3400 ft/1036 m). This is the only source of water between the pass and the river. Hikers going up the trail should fill their water bottles here. As the trail descends, one can both see and hear the creek, which flows noisily below on the left. After crossing a slide where the rocks are covered with lichen, the trail ends at a junction with the Soleduck Trail (7.8 mi/12.6 km; 3100 ft/ 945 m) in a forest of tall conifers.