MOUNT ROSE TRAIL Length 4.8 mi/7.7 km Access FS Road 24 USGS Map Mount Skokomish Agency Olympic National Forest Mount Rose was named for Albert A. Rose, one of the first settlers on Lake Cushman. He arrived in the mid-1880s and used a log raft to ferry supplies across the lake to his claim. The steep trail that leads almost directly to the summit of Mount Rose climbs more than 3500 ft/1067 m in a little under 3 miles. The trailhead (767 ft/234 m) is located on FS Road 24, the Jorsted Creek Road, near the north shore of Lake Cushman, 2.8 mi/4.5 km west of the intersection of FS Road 24 with the Hoodsport Road, Because the trail ends in a loop, like a cowboy's lariat, one has four options on how to hike the trail. The shortest, at 5.6 mi/9.0 km, is to go up and down the so- called summit route; the longest, at 8.2 mi/13.2 km, is to go up and down the rid route. In between, both at 6.9 mi/11.1 km are two more options: up the summit route and down the ridge route or up, the ridge route and down the summit route. Upon leaving Lake Cushman, the trail quickly gains elevation, climbing steadily as it switchbacks and twists its way through second-growth fir, where salal almost hides the big stumps left by the loggers. Most of the virgin timber was either cut or burned, but patches remain. As the trail alternately goes through stands of second and old growth, the contrast between the two is marked. The young trees are small; the old ones are tall, straight as arrows, 4 to 5 feet in diameter, with lichen clinging to the trunks. The route at this point enters the Mount Skokomish Wilderness (1.1 mi/1.8 km; 2000 ft/610 m), which was established in 1984 to protect the rugged, primitive country adjacent to the southeast corner of Olympic National Park. The wilderness area's boundary, at least in the vicinity of Mount Rose, follows the 2000-ft contour line, which means that everything on the mountain above that elevation is protected. At the seventh switchback, the trail steepens as it goes by outcrops of moss-covered rock, where manzanita and madrona are present. This is a good place to bask in the sunshine on a warm day. The view of Lake Cushman is good, the shadows of the trees extending down from the lake's edge like black beards. The ridge now drops steeply on both sides, and the trail climbs sharply. Thick pads of mosses compete with a ground cover of kinnikinnick and beargrass. Before the trail was rebuilt recently, it was rough in many places, and one often walked on a bed of roots and rocks. Occasionally, when the wind is blowing in the right direction, one can hear a stream flowing in the depths of the forest below. The trail now forks (1.8 mi/2.9 km; 2600 ft/610 m). The left branch, known as the summit route, heads more or less directly toward the peak of Mount Rose. The right branch, which is not up to the standard of the left, marks the beginning of the alternate ridge loop route. Both routes lead to the top of Mount Rose (4301 ft/1311 m). Via the summit route, the total distance is 2.8-mi/4.5 km, and by the ridge loop route the total distance is 4.1- mi/6.6 km. Above the fork, the main trail or summit route goes through heavy forest and rock gullies, then sparse forest for some distance. There are a number of switchbacks, and the final pitch is quite steep. This route is harder to follow than the ridge loop way, especially in early season when snow covers the ground. The ridge loop route leads through fir and hemlock forest as it makes a long upward traverse and crosses two small streams. Beyond the brooks it will switchback upward to the saddle between Mount Rose and Mount Ellinor. The path climbs steeply as it veers away from the saddle. Near the ridge crest it goes by four large silver firs that stand in a row, growing so closely to each other that their trunks have welded together, thus creating a wall. The trail strikes the ridge, turns left, and follows the narrow, rocky spine through stands of hemlock, Alaska cedar, Douglas fir, and silver fir. Mount Ellinor is glimpsed through the trees. The trail now becomes indistinct but descends slightly as it heads to the base of a little basalt peak, which rises perhaps 30 feet above the general level. This is the top of Mount Rose (4.8 mi/7.7 km; 4301 ft/1311 m). The climb up the north side is a simple scramble, but the space on top is limited and will accommodate not more than two or three people. Hikers not subject to vertigo can look almost straight down to Lake Cushman and see Lightning Peak rising beyond. Visible in the distance are a number of peaks, among them Mount Rainier to the southeast and Mount Steel to the northwest, at the headwaters of the North Fork Skokomish.