Appleton Pass Trail
Appleton Pass Trail is an Olympic National Park long-distance hike between the Elwha and Sol Duc sides, reaching Appleton Pass and the Oyster Lake area. The route is managed as a maintained trail through montane forest that transitions into subalpine meadow around the pass.
From the Elwha side, the hike is about 7.7 miles from trailhead to pass with roughly 1,700 feet of elevation gain, climbing up to an elevation near 5,100 feet. From the Sol Duc side it’s about 7.4 miles to the pass with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain to reach the same high point.
Most hiking guidance describes the climb as steep, with major work concentrated in the ascent and then a high-elevation traverse and meadows near the pass. At the top, the hike gives you broad valley views toward Mt. Olympus and the Bailey Range.
Camp setup centers on the Oyster Lake area, which has several campsites. Elsewhere along the route, camping is discouraged on vegetation—use established or bare-ground sites where allowed.
Water is available from Boulder Creek and the Oyster Lake area, and drinking water should be treated to prevent Giardia. Toilet facilities are not provided on the trail; bury waste 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources and campsites, and pack out toilet paper.
Food storage is a critical constraint: all food, garbage, and scented items must be secured in park-approved bear canisters. Campfires are prohibited at Appleton Pass/Oyster Lake and everywhere else above 3,500 feet.
Seasonal use is usually snow-free from early July through October. The route can still hold snow at higher reaches outside peak season, so navigation skills matter if you’re hiking in winter and spring.
Difficulty
Easy