Route: Olympic National Park Grand Loop (WA)

Location
Washington, US
Distance
44 mi
Vertical Gain
13,000 ft
Description

Isaiah Hemmen posted the route:

In Backpacker Magazine's "Trekking Washington," published by Mountaineer Books, the route is dubbed "The Grand Loop."

ROUTE: West from Deer Park to Obstruction Point; South over Grand Pass, Cameron Pass, and Lost Pass; East along the Dosewallips River; North over Gray Wolf Pass and up the Gray Wolf River; and North-East up the Three-Forks Trail back to Deer Park.

DISTANCE: 44.4 miles

GAIN: 14,124 ft

Note some excellent photos on Christof Teuscher's FKT page, and on Luke Distelhorst's trip report.

 

Kyle McCrohan suggests the following Moose Peak variation:

Ran the Grand Loop counter clockwise with a Moose Directissimo (instead of dropping into Grand Valley, stay high over Moose Peak). This variation is undoubtedly slower, with some exposed 3rd class scrambling and more elevation gain, but keeps you higher for longer and deserves mention as a valid variation on the loop. Peter Butler ran with me until Cameron Creek before turning back to Deer Park for a shorter variation, but I carried all my own stuff. Abundant water throughout! Took about 300 photos and a nice dip in the Grand Pass tarn. Wildflowers were stunning!

Comments

I'll be doing a solo attempt on this route Saturday, August 1st, also counterclockwise, hopefully setting the first female FKT and completing my second FKT route. I will be attempting this unsupported and will record my track using a Garmin InReach and my watch. Below is a MapShare link to view my progress:

share.garmin.com/stephgoesyogging

Hi!

this happens to line up with mileage I need for a training weekend, so I’m going to call my shot just in case :)

I’ll be starting between 5-6 AM tomorrow, Saturday the 26th, going clockwise. Should be nice and soggy! 

Heading out this Saturday (8/20) to try a solo attempt of this loop.  It is a training run for Teanaway 100 but if I have a good day, I may try for the FKT.  Looking forward to it!