ELK LAKE TRAIL

Length 2.3 mi/3.7 km 
Access FS Roads 2480; FS Road 2401 
USGS Map Mount Washington 
Agency Olympic National Forest

A fragment of a once major trail, this path extends from FS 
Road 2421 to FS Road 2401. The trailheads are accessible by 
driving FS Road 25 to FS Road 2480. The eastern trailhead 
can be reached by following FS Road 2480 to FS Road 2421, 
then going up the latter to its terminus. The southern 
trailhead is approached by continuing on FS Road 2480 to 
its junction with FS Road 2401, then taking the latter to 
the parking area at Big Elk Lake. One can continue on FS 
Road 2401 to the western trailhead.

The path is not marked at the eastern trailhead (1100 
ft/335 m), but it is obvious. The trail goes through stands 
of fir, hemlock, and large madrona. The sound of Jefferson 
Creek rises from the canyon to the left. The route is 
characterized by slight ups and downs as it traverses the 
mountainside, alternately going through virgin forest and 
clearcuts overgrown with little conifers, maple, alder, 
tangled blackberry vines, and thickets of salal and Oregon 
grape. One looks from the openings across Jefferson Creek 
to FS Road 2441, which is bordered by logged areas and 
patches of virgin timber. The older clearcuts are grown up 
with young firs; the more recent ones are still barren.

The trail then forks (1.2 mi/1.9 km; 1100 ft/335 m). The 
left branch leads to the southern trailhead on FS Road 
2401; the right branch continues up Jefferson Creek, going 
near Big Elk Lake (1050 ft/320 m). The flat land adjacent 
to the lake is marshy, and logs and debris plug the outlet.

Big Elk Lake (also known as Lower Elk Lake) varies from 6 
to 10 acres in size and was formed by a landslide that 
created a natural dam across Jefferson Creek. The lake is 
edged by meadows and thick growths of willow, with stands 
of tall conifers farther back. Two campsites are located 
here—one near the outlet, the other on the lakeshore. 
However, logging has spoiled the once-beautiful scene. 
Looking up the valley, one sees the end of the ridge that 
rises between Washington Creek and Jefferson Creek. The 
north side is still clothed with virgin forest, but the 
south side has been completely stripped. If esthetics had 
been considered, then this mountain would not have been 
logged. At least not logged in such a ruthless manner.

Beyond Big Elk Lake the trail goes through virgin forest 
having dense undergrowth consisting mostly of little 
hemlocks. Below, on the left, Jefferson Creek gurgles and 
ripples, reflecting glints of sunlight. Presently, the 
trail emerges onto FS Road 2401 (2.0 mi/3.2 kin; 1200 
ft/366 m).

The branch path descends steeply to the lake, and then 
follows the shore to the outlet, where it crosses a 
boulder-filled overflow channel that is dry during the 
summer. The path then intersects with the main trail (0.3 
mi/0.5 km; 1100 ft/335 m). Little Elk Lake (also known as 
Upper Elk Lake) is about one-third to one-half the size of 
Big Elk Lake and is located approximately a quarter mile 
south of its neighbor. Both lakes are stocked with Eastern 
brook trout.