OverviewMount Claywood is the highest of the five peaks (w/ Wellesley Peak, Sentinel Peak, Mount Fromme, and Lost Peak) that encircle the headwaters of the North Fork of the Dosewallips River. Along with Mount Fromme, its close neighbor to the south, Claywood is situated near Hayden Pass opposite Sentinel Peak. The entire area offers splendid alpine roaming, but a visit to Mount Claywood also means a mandatory visit to exquisite Claywood Lake, which occupies a sculpted bowl between Claywood and Fromme. And, naturally, if one is to put forth the effort of hiking the 15+ (20+ with the perrenial Dosewallips Road wash-out) miles to even reach this remote area of the Olympics, it will feel proper to summit Mount Fromme as well; it's right there after all. Indeed, with a basecamp in the valley at Dose Meadows, the trio of Sentinel, Fromme and Claywood make for a satisfying day. The vistas from the summit of Mount Claywood will not dissapoint if the weather does not as one is rewarded with supreme views deep into the Hayes, Elwha, Lost, and Dosewallips River valleys, not to mention the dozens of stately mountain peaks in every direction.
This peak was named in 1885 by Lieutenant Joseph P. O'Neil for Colonel H. Clay Wood, the adjutant general who ordered O'Neil on his first Olympic expedition. Colonel Wood was awarded the Medal of Honor for services to the country during the Civil War. The USGS names Mt. Claywood as the northerly of the two summits northwest of Hayden Pass, though this is in conflict with some references. ("Olympic Mountains, Climbing Guide" 4th ed. by Olympic Mountain Rescue, pg. 102)
Getting ThereMount Claywood and the peaks that surround the headwaters of the North Fork are most often accessed via the Dosewallips River Trail. The trail is 15.5 miles just to get to Hayden Pass. Add an additional 5.5 miles on account of the perennial Dosewallips Road washout and you have a quite a considerable hike in. Another option would be through Lost Pass via Cameron Pass.  summit view to Mount Cameron 
Neighboring Peaks |
Red TapeObtain a backcountry permit at the Dosewallips River trailhead. Technically speaking, this should cost you $5/person and 2$/person/night.
CampingStandard camp for Mount Claywood and its surrounding environs is made at Dose Meadows, 2.3 miles by trail from Hayden Pass, but other options exist. The shores of Claywood Lake are generally hard and sloped and not suitable for camping. Images
|
