RUGGED RIDGE TRAIL

Length 3.0mi/4.8km
Access FS Road 2900-070
USGS Map Indian Pass
Agencies Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park

This is another fragment of the old Snider-Jackson Trail of Forest Service 
days. The trailhead (1000 ft/305 m) is located in the national forest on 
FS Road 2900-070, 2.2 mi/3.5 km beyond its intersection with FS Road 29.

Rugged Ridge, the divide between the Sitkum River and the South Fork Calawah. 
forms the national park boundary in this area. Higher in the east, where its 
elevation exceeds 3000 ft/914 m, the ridge peters out near the confluence of 
the two streams.

The trail begins in western hemlock forest and crosses Rugged Ridge almost 
at once, where it enters the national park (0.2 mi/0.3 km; 1200 ft/366 m). 
Here it goes through stands of slim Douglas-firs as it traverses a spur that 
extends from Rugged Ridge toward the South Fork Calawah. The trail crosses a 
half dozen little streams between the park boundary and the spur's crest, the 
forest changing until it becomes mostly silver fir and western hemlock. The 
growth of sword ferns and moss, is luxuriant; salmonbcrry and devils club form 
thickets by the streams. The trail is not steep, but it goes up and down to 
cross the creeks, with intervening level sections. At the fourth stream, 
waterfalls are present both above and below the trail.

Upon rounding the end of the spur (1.6 mi/2.6 km; 1350 It//* 11 in), the trail 
attains its high point. Here it turns eastward and makes a steep descent to 
the South Fork Calawah, crossing three streams along the way. The third one is 
picturesque— a stone wall on the far side is covered with various kinds of 
ferns. Above the trail arc Seven Step Falls, a multiple cascade, and another 
wall shingled with ferns. Trilliums bloom here in May.

The South Fork Calawah River (3.0 mi/4.8 km; 745 ft/227 m) is not bridged, 
but one can cross easily in late summer or fall, either by wading or 
stepping from one boulder to another. During the winter or spring, when 
the water is high, the stream is dangerous, and one must find a log spanning the channel.

The route beyond this crossing, known as the Indian Pass Trail, leads to 
the Bogachiel Trail.