SUNDOWN LAKE WAY TRAIL

Not maintained 
Length 1.0 mi/1.6 km 
Access Wynoochee Trail 
USGS Map Mount Hoquiam Agency Olympic National Park 

This path, a shortcut created by hikers headed for Sundown Lake via 
the Wynoochee Trail, saves about a mile of travel. However, its real 
raison d'etre is that it makes it unnecessary, in order to reach the 
lake, to descend 700 feet to Graves Creek Basin, then regain the 
lost elevation by ascending the Graves Creek Trail. Nevertheless, 
the route is not only rough but also has quite a bit of up and down. 
Consequently, backpacking to the lake via the regular trails is 
actually easier.

The path begins 0.3 mi/0.5 km beyond Wynoochee Pass, on the east 
side of the divide, at 3400 ft/1036 m. The route first leads 
downhill, to the right, descending a gully to a meadow, then traverses 
to a second meadow and climbs a bit. The trail makes a more or less 
level traverse through the foresc and thick brush, crosses a rocky gulch, 
and climbs—steeply at times—over slippery roots and rocks. The way is 
fairly obvious where it goes through the woods, but one has to search 
for the path where it crosses meadows and ravines.

Eventually, the trail comes out into sub alpine country, where one can 
look down the valley of Graves Creek and see a pyramidal peak in the 
distance.  The trail then descends through a stand of large mountain 
hemlock to the Graves Creek Trail 9 1.0 mi/1.6 km; 3400 ft/2036 m).