Difficulty: Class 1 with some very mild Class 2.

PETE'S CREEK TRAIL

Distance: Round trip - 8 miles.
Elevation Gain: 3300 feet.

COLONEL BOB TRAIL

Distance: Round trip - 14 miles.
Elevation Gain: 4200 feet.

This is a strenuous hike to the Summit of Colonel Bob. There are two ways to access the trail to the summit. Pete's Creek trail and Colonel Bob trail. Both are probably equally strenuous as the one from Pete's Creek trailhead climbs more elevation in a shorter distance but the one from the Colonel Bob trailhead gains less elevation per distance but adds about 6 more miles total round trip to the climb.

The elevation gain on the Pete's Creek trail climbs about 3300 feet in just over four miles whereas the Colonel Bob trail climbs about 4200 feet over about 7 miles.

Along the trail to the summit of Colonel Bob you can expect to see Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Silver Fir and Red Cedar.

There are not too many great views along this trail until you reach the summit. It is there where the climb pays off, when you are afforded views of Mount Rainer, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, the Olympic Mountain Range, the Pacific Ocean and an absolutely stunning view of Lake Quinault.

If you are following the Pete's Creek trail it will meet up with the Colonel Bob trail at about the 2.5-3 mile point.

Getting There

For the South approach (Pete's Creek Trailhead) drive on U.S. Highway 101 North about 8 miles south of the South Shore Lake Quinault Road and turn east (right) onto FS Road # 2220. Turn east (right) again onto FS Road # 2280, then follow #2280 until you reach FS Road # 2204. You will then take a left onto # 2204 and drive about 7 more miles to the trailhead. There will be a sign that reads "Pete's Creek Trail No. 858."

For the North approach (Colonel Bob Trailhead) drive on U.S. Highway 101 until you near the crossing of the Quinault River and turn right onto the South Shore Lake Quinault road. At approximately 2.5 miles you will pass the Quinault Ranger Station (left hand side) or the Quinault Mercantile (right hand side) and at about 6 miles you will see the sign reading "Colonel Bob Trail" (No. 851).

Red Tape

A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the Pete's Creek trailhead.
No pass is required at the Colonel Bob trailhead.
Fires are prohibited above 3500 feet but stoves are allowed.
Groups of >12 people are prohibited as well.

CLICK HERE: NW Forest Pass

FOR A LIST OF AREAS REQUIRING PASSES CLICK HERE: Required Areas

When To Climb

The best time to climb is probably July - October. Although this can be done in snow as well. I would recommend snowshoes though if attempting this hike in winter conditions. Please be sure to check with the Ranger Stations for current avalanche dangers. This area gets about 150+ inches of rain per year, so in winter it can accumulate a fair amount of snow.

Camping

Camping is allowed in the Colonel Bob wilderness. One of the favorite spots for many is near Moonshine Flats. Moonshine flats is a small year round stream. If you are using Moonshine flats as a water source, it would be a good idea to bring some purifying tablets or a water filter.
If you are following the Colonel Bob trail then you may want to rest at Mulkey Shelter which is about 4 miles into the climb to the summit.

There are also several other campgrounds nearby. To see a list click here: Campgrounds then click Pacific Ranger District - South

OR CLICK HERE: More Campgrounds

Mountain Conditions/Road Conditions

Click Here For Current Conditions

OR CALL

Quinault Ranger Station
353 South Shore Road
P.O. Box 9
Quinault, WA 98575
1-(360)-288-2525

Olympic National Forest
1835 Black Lake Blvd.
Olympia, WA 98512
1(360)-956-2402

Weather

Click the Satellite picture for a video loop of current weather

Maps

Olympic Peninsula Map

Clickable Olympic Peninsula Map with PDF downloads

Campgrounds

2skinners Other Mountain Pages

Feel free to check out my other mountain pages.

CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS:
Hippo Butte
Red Buttes
Schonchin Butte

DELAWARE MOUNTAINS (HIGHPOINT):
Ebright Azimuth

OREGON MOUNTAINS:
Bolan Mountain
Crater Lake Caldera
Grizzly Peak
Lower Table Rock
Mount Ashland
Mount Thielsen
Soda Mountain
South Sister
Upper Table Rock

WASHINGTON MOUNTAINS:
Discovery Peak
Mount Pilchuck

External Links
Trails.com

Forest Service

History of Colonel Bob submitted to me by: nartreb
A brief story about the name behind the peak

Images
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