P J LAKE TRAIL

Length 1.0 mi/1.6 km 
Access Obstruction Point Road 
USGS Map Mount Angeles 
Agency Olympic National Park

This mile-long trail takes its name from the small lake named for 
P. J. Williams, a Port Angeles pioneer who liked to fish its wind-whipped 
waters. The signed path begins at the old Waterhole Camp, 3-8-mi/6.1 km 
from the beginning of the Obstruction Point Road. The path, which has a 
good tread, begins in a stand of sub alpine fir containing numerous dead 
trees.

The trail descends sharply, and then comes to a point (0.2 mi/0.3 km) that 
overlooks grassland, with a view across a valley to the slope beyond. 
Emerging at the edge of an open slope, below a rock outcrop, the path looks 
down the valley of Morse Creek, and one can see the Hurricane Ridge Road 
cutting across a distant mountainside. The trail switchbacks into a dense 
stand of trees, then crosses an open slope where pearly everlasting is abundant.

The murmur of a brook comes up from below, as the trail alternates back 
and forth, through the trees, then across more open slopes. The path crosses 
several small streams (ca. 0.6 mi/1.0 km) where water still flows in late 
summer. Here the trees are much larger. The path next crosses below a mossy 
cliff (0.8 mi/1.3 km) where a waterfall cascades down about 30 feet. This 
is apparently the outlet stream of P J Lake. Switchbacking as it climbs 
upward, paralleling the waterfall stream; the trail comes out to the north 
shore of the lake (1.0 mi/1.6 km; 4540 ft/1384 m).

P J take is almost round, its surface broken by ripples from the almost 
continuous breeze that sweeps across its waters. Double-eared Owl Rock 
overlooks the lake on the southwest; another Owl Rock, much more distant, 
can be seen to the southeast, on the crest high above the lake.

Sub alpine firs surround the tarn. A campsite is located on the north 
shore, back about 50 feet, and sheltered by large sub alpine firs.