BIG CREEK NATURE TRAIL

Length 1.3mi/2.1 km 
Access FS Road 24 
USGS Map Hoodsport 
Agency Olympic National Forest

The Big Creek Campground, constructed by the Forest Service in 1981- 82, is 
located on FS Road 24, the Jorsted Creek Road, just beyond the junction with 
the Hoodsport Road. The Big Creek Nature Trail makes a 1.3 mi/2.1 km loop that 
encircles the campground (ca. 900 ft/274 m). Although one can walk the path 
in either direction, it is described here as if one were traveling counter
clockwise.

Going into the woods to the right of the campground entrance road, the trail 
follows an almost level grade as it winds through scrubby stands of second-growl 
fir. The underbrush consists of salal, bracken fern, vine maple, huckleberry, 
and beargrass. (The Skokomish Valley is one of the few places where beargrass 
grows naturally at low elevation.)

After coming out to an old road, which it follows briefly, the trail descends 
slightly, and one can hear Big Creek ahead. The path parallels the stream, which 
is about 15 to 20 feet wide, then crosses it on a little wooden bridge. The trees 
are larger here, and western red cedar is also present. The vegetation along the 
creek is luxuriant-the maples are garlanded with mosses; sword ferns carpet the 
damp ground.

The trail traverses a steep sidehill above the creek, then recrosses the stream 
over another bridge and strikes the entrance road opposite the point where it 
started (1.3 mi/2.1 km).