LACROSSE PASS TRAIL

Length 6.5 mi/10.5 km
Access Duckabush Trail; West Fork Dosewallips Trail
USGS Map Mount Steel
Agency Olympic National Park

An across-the-ridge route between the Duckabush and Dosewallips 
Rivers, the LaCrosse Pass Trail begins (2677 ft/816 m) on the 
Duckabush Trail 1.7 mi/2.7 km east of Camp Duckabush, climbs steeply 
to LaCrosse Pass, and then descends to the West Fork Dosewallips. As 
it climbs out of the Duckabush Valley, the trail ascends almost 3000 
feet via many short, steep switchbacks. Most of the distance it goes 
through deep forest. One should carry water.

Near LaCrosse Pass, the views southward from the high meadows become 
spectacular. The pointed subalpine firs are silhouetted against cloudbanks, 
and two peaks dominate the skyline to the southwest. The rocky, six-sided 
peak is Mount Steel, the lower of the two. This mountain, streaked with 
snowfields, reminds one of a turreted and buttressed castle. Beyond it 
Mount Duckabush outlines its jagged ridge crest and snow dome against 
the blue sky.

The view north from LaCrosse Pass (3.0 mi/4.8 km; 5566 ft/1697 m), which 
lies between Mount LaCrosse and Mount Elklick, is equally striking. The 
glacier-scarred bulk of Mount Anderson rises in lonely splendor above the 
neighboring peaks, and part of the Anderson Glacier is visible. This ice 
field is usually covered with snow until late summer, making it appear to 
be a large snowfield.

North of LaCrosse Pass the trail goes through luxuriant meadows bordered 
by clumps of subalpine fir. Buttercups, avalanche lilies, and other 
wildflowers create showy, colorful displays in midsummer; but the eye is 
mesmerized by Mount Anderson, which dominates the northern skyline until 
lost to sight when the trail enters the forest. The route then descends 
at a moderate grade to the West Fork Dosewallips Trail near the upper end 
of Honeymoon Meadows (6.5 mil 10.5 km; 3627 ft/1105 m). A good camping area 
is located here, isolated from the usually crowded one in Honeymoon Meadows.