"I was planning to return to the Pasayten this weekend, but with a smoky forecast I audibled and headed to the Olympics instead. I started from the Aurora ridge trailhead at about 9 PM and planned to simply pitch my tent as soon as I found a spot. I ended up finding a one-person-tent-sized spot at upper Eagle Lake at about 11:30 PM. I departed in the morning with only about 1.5 L of water, anticipating filling up at Sourdough Camp. Unfortunately, the Sourdough spring was dry and I did not find any water until I reached Boulder Lake. I bailed on a couple of my peakbagging objectives (like Lizard Head) because of the water rationing. At Boulder Lake I ran into my first human--both of us were surprised. I left most of my gear at Boulder Lake and then ascended a dry creek bed and climber's trail through heather, before traversing west to the summit of Boulder Peak. My original plan was to return to Boulder Lake for my gear and then continue off-trail to Three Horse Lake, Blue Lake, Sentinel Peak, Mud Lake, and then ascend to Mount Appleton. However, looking at the scree hell involved in getting to Mount Appleton at this point of the year (i.e., no snow) made me think otherwise. I saved ..." — TynanRammGranberg • Sep 6, 2025

"Woke up decently early [for my standards] at 6:15 AM to pack up and get ready for the day without waking up family. Had quick hotel breakfast and hit the road at 7:00. @Scott and I made our way up to the road-side trailhead and instantly got swarmed by mosquitoes as I stepped out of the car. Luckily, that was the last of the bad bug issues Washington --- and Olympic National Park in particular --- is infamously notorious for. Cruised through the first ~ 710 vert on the steep switchback route up to the cut across trail, which took us across the mountain and a neutral grade to the Climbers Route, which would lead us all the way to the summit of Angeles, which we could now see prominent above everything else in view. My calves burned as I climbed the next 1000 vert at a slow and steady pace, but it never felt too hard or burdensome. Finally, as we saw the rest of the park, Canada, and the Straight of Juan de Fuca emerge below us, we started the EXTREMELY slow and steady ascent of the Class 3 scramble section. (helmets are just for errant rockfall; we didn't really need them but safety is the best policy.) After 30 or so minutes and some decently tricky route-finding, we made it to the..." — summit • Jul 13, 2025

"Amazing morning on deserted trails. No one on climbers path to summit and back. Found the route easily based on Smoot description and some peakery member tracks. One of the best summit views I’ve experienced. 360 with view of the strait and Mt Olympus and the heart of the Olympics. " — scott • Jul 13, 2025

"The trail was about three and a half miles from the trailhead and every step was absolutely gorgeous. Late August was a risky time to go, as the week had been very rainy and foggy for most of the week, but that Saturday was absolutely stunning. Had found and downloaded the trail on the AllTrails app" — haleybaker • Aug 24, 2024

"Got a climb on Deception on my 3rd attempt. On my first 2 tries I was getting poor snow so Jon and I came in late July and just dealt with the scree. This mountain is extremely loose but it’s kinda typical for the Olympics. No need for crampons or ice axe. Felt super low on energy on summit day and when I got back I tested positive for Covid. No wonder. Also had to change a flat after getting back to the truck. Love being back in the upper royal." — MatthewWinterberg • Jul 28, 2024