Graves Creek Primitive Trail

Graves Creek Primitive Trail is a hard, backcountry hiking route in Olympic National Park that runs through old-growth forest high above the Quinault River Valley, with a level of solitude that’s closer to the primitive/trail-connecting end of the park’s network.

Route scale for this primitive segment is about 7.4 miles (roundtrip) with roughly 1,500 ft of elevation gain, and it climbs away from the creek early on before setting up a long, sustained run through forested terrain and side drainages.

Expect frequent creek crossings and gorge terrain: the trail crosses Graves Creek and later involves fording Success Creek (the continuation marker is described at an orange marker on a stump), with spring/early-summer conditions that can make fords swift or deep.

The route tops out into the junction area where the Wynoochee Trail connects and sub-alpine meadows begin, making this a common “extend if you’re backpacking” primitive day-to-backpack objective.

As mapped here, the connection pattern is primitive-trail linking: Graves Creek Primitive Trail ties into the East Fork Quinault River Trail and routes in the O’Neil Pass / Six Ridge / related primitive network, so plan on navigation rather than relying on an easy, sign-posted corridor.

Use a backcountry permit where required for Olympic National Park wilderness camping, and plan for primitive trail realities like poor tread conditions and obstacles that can include washed-out/broken segments and heavy growth; dogs are not allowed on this route.

More information: Wikipedia, Graves Creek Trailhead, Port Angeles, WA, Graves Creek — Washington Trails Association