Upper Gray Wolf River Trail - 21.0 Miles Round-Trip

The Upper Gray Wolf River Valley is a remote and lightly traveled corridor in the northeast corner of Olympic National Park. The Gray Wolf River is fed in part by glacial remnants on the west flank of The Needles and Gray Wolf Ridge. The water's striking blue-green hue comes from minerals in glacial till brought down from the mountains.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

There are several ways to reach upper sections of the Gray Wolf, with easy year-round access from Slab Camp Trailhead just south of Sequim. Note that travel between Gray Wolf Camp and Camp Ellis may be difficult (if not impassable) due to extreme blowdown. Contact the Park for current trail conditions:

From Slab Camp Trailhead, the Slab Camp Trail quickly splits with the Deer Park Trail and undulates S-SE to its first major descent. Views of Deer Ridge and Gray Wolf Ridge emerge before the trail is completely cloaked by the canopy.

The Slab Camp Trail drops 1000' from the trailhead to the route's lowest point at Camp Tony (2.6 miles : 1.450'). A bridge leads over the Gray Wolf River to the Gray Wolf River Trail (2.9 miles 1,550'). The Gray Wolf River Trail turns SW up the east side of Gray Wolf River on a 1000' climb through fir, cedar and a diverse understory

Little changes for the next two miles until crossing a seemingly out-of-place scree field (5.0 miles : 2,330') leading to Slide Camp (5.5 miles : 2,310') and descending into the Slide Creek drainage. This area experienced a major wildfire in 1952, and now supports young stands of Douglas fir.

The trail crosses Slide Creek and exits the Buckhorn Wilderness into Olympic National Park (5.7 miles : 2,000'), where it begins a steady climb under notably tall fir and cedar.

The trail crosses a small footbridge (7.0 miles : 2,360') before cresting and dropping quickly to Gray Wolf - Three Forks Camp (7.6 miles : 2,050'). A backcountry registration board marks the split to Gray Wolf Camp, highlighted by the confluence of Cameron Creek and the Gray Wolf River (a short walk to Gray Wolf Camp offers a good look at this river feature).

Turn left at the backcountry registration board to stay on the Gray Wolf Trail, and within a mile you'll hop back over to the west bank of the Gray Wolf on a major bridge (8.7 miles : 2,465').

It closely follows the river while negotiating many downed trees and scattered debris (9.5 miles 2,750'). The debris fields can be challenging (especially with large packs), but those willing to push through are rewarded with a rare degree of solitude.

The trail gradually levels out along the river to Camp Ellis (10.5 miles : 2,950'). Camp Ellis is an established 'primitive' backcountry site with two distinct riverside camping areas. The trail continues past Camp Ellis with access to Cedar Lake (5,325'), and on to Gray Wolf Pass (6,485').