ELK MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Length 2.0 mi/3.2 km
Access Badger Valley Trail; Grand Ridge Trail
USGS Map Maiden Peak
Agency Olympic National Park

Formerly a way trail that received little or no maintenance, this pathway has 
apparently graduated to bona fide National Park trail status and now appears to 
be well maintained. This route connects the Badger Valley Trail with the Grand 
Ridge Trail and makes possible a triangle hike that is particularly interesting 
as an "owl walk" during a full moon. Beginning at Obstruction Point, the hiker 
can either take the Badger Valley Trail to the lower trailhead or the Grand Ridge 
Trail to the upper trailhead, then follow the trail up or down, as the case may be, 
returning via the other route. The path overlooks Badger Valley, one of the most 
beautiful vales in the Olympics. The route provides good views of the nearby 
peaks and ridges, including a cirque on Lillian Ridge that contains a small pond.

The lower trailhead (5300 ft/1615 m) is located on the Badger Valley Trail, 
1.0 mi/1.6 km from Obstruction Point, in a grassy meadow undermined with marmot 
dens and broken by islands of subalpine fir and scrubby Alaska cedar. The trail 
climbs sharply, gaining 1275 ft/389 m in 1 mile. Among the low-growing plants 
found along the path are juniper, huckleberry, and mountain ash. The wildflowers 
include pearly everlasting, thistle, lupine, paintbrush, cow parsnip, harebell, 
and mountain aster.

After traversing slopes dotted with clumps of subalpine fir, the trail emerges 
into umdralike meadows. The Needles arc visible on the horizon. At this point 
the switchbacks end, and the trail meanders a bit as the terrain steepens. The 
route is indistinct, the path disappearing in spots, but intermittent cairns mark 
the way. The slopes, covered with short grasses for the most part, are barren 
where snow lies late in the season.

Other peaks now come into view. One can see Mount Cameron with its glaciers, also 
Mount Deception; eventually Mount Olympus rises above the horizon. Angling to 
the east, the trail contours the slope through matted, low-growing juniper, and 
Grand Lake is now visible.

The trail ends where it intersects the Grand Ridge Trail (1.0 mil 1.6 km; 6575 ft/ 2004 m) 
near the top of Elk Mountain. 2.0 mi/3.2 km east of Obstruction Point.