Mount Skokomish Wilderness

Mount Skokomish Wilderness is located in the southeast corner of Olympic National Forest, just north of Lake Cushman. Two long ridges, running roughly northeast to southwest, support several bold rocky summits and numerous sharp spires. The northern ridge rises to Mounts Skokomish, Lincoln, and Cruiser, with ragged Sawtooth Ridge — popular for its excellent rock climbing — stretching between Lincoln and Cruiser. Elevations range from about 2,000 feet to 6,434 feet on Mount Skokomish, which anchors the northwest boundary. The southern ridge includes the summits of Mounts Pershing, Washington, Rose, Ellinor, Jefferson Peak, and Tran Spire, all interesting and often challenging climbs. Between the ridges lies the headwaters basin of the Hamma Hamma River, which gathers its waters from Mildred Lakes and tributary streams in the western portion to flow east across the Wilderness. Magnificent old-growth western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir dominate the forest at the lower elevations, providing a shady home for elk, black-tailed deer, black bears, and mountain lions. Higher elevations display firs, pines, and dwarf juniper, and open rock faces alive with marmots and mountain goats, which look like pockets of old snow from a distance. Most of the area is wild and ruggedly free, penetrated only by four short and wondrously neglected trails. The Putvin Trail crosses the northeast corner, climbing steeply up Whitehorse Creek to Lake of the Angels. The faint Mildred Lakes Trail runs to Mildred Lakes below the Sawtooth Ridge. Short trails provide access to Mounts Rose and Ellinor in the southern portion. Lakesides have suffered abuse, and campfires are not allowed near bodies of water.