Big Creek Campground to Mt. Ellinor Ascent

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Features Hot Spring · Lake · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is the longest and hardest way to climb Mt. Ellinor, though the journey will be extremely rewarding.

A trail run is done here in summer called "The Beast of Big Creek".

This route begins at Big Creek Campground, climbs steadily along the Big Creek Loop #827 trail and joins a connector trail that then joins the Lower Mt. Ellinor Trail. From this point it is a nice, well maintained trail through an old growth forest on the Lower Mt. Ellinor Trail until the Mt. Ellinor Trail is reached.

At that point, the trail climbs steeply up a ridge, over rocks to an open slope where a long stair step trail climbs to a saddle in the ridge. From there the trail switches back and forth up a steep slope ultimately reaching a last push to the summit.

From the summit of Mt. Ellinor you can see into the heart of the Olympics to Mt. Olympus. You can also see all the way north to Mt. Baker, west to Mt. Rainier and south to Mt. St. Helens. On a very clear day with the right lighting you can even see the Pacific Ocean!

You'll often encounter Mt. Goats on and around the summit of Mt. Ellinor. The goats are a nuisance and are not native. They were introduced to the Olympics in the 1920s(?). Do not feed the goats, they can get aggressive.