Colonel Bob Trail #851

The Colonel Bob Trail #851 is an 11 km point-to-point trail in Washington State, United States, gaining 1,308 m of elevation to the 1,369 m summit of Colonel Bob. Rated hard, it traverses dense old-growth conifer rainforest typical of the Olympic Peninsula before opening onto a 360-degree panorama of Lake Quinault, Mount Olympus, and the Pacific Ocean.

About the Colonel Bob Trail #851

Tucked inside the Colonel Bob Wilderness of Olympic National Forest in the far southwest corner of Washington, the Colonel Bob Trail #851 is one of the Pacific Northwest's most rewarding — and least crowded — summit hikes. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Olympic National Forest Pacific Ranger District, the trail climbs 1,308 m (4,292 ft) over 11 km to the bare summit of Colonel Bob at 1,369 m (4,492 ft). It is part of the Regional Walking Network (RWN) and connects with the Petes Creek Trail #858, which provides an alternative approach from the north.

The wilderness experience here is layered and immersive. The lower two-thirds of the route wind through a cathedral of Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock — ancient trees whose canopy filters the coastal light into a greenish theatre. Sword ferns, oxalis, and thick mosses carpet the forest floor in the lush, saturated style that defines the Olympic rainforest ecosystem. If you have tackled demanding point-to-point trails elsewhere — like the classic Theth to Valbona crossing in Albania — you will recognise the satisfying logic of a trail designed to be walked in a single direction, valley floor to summit.

The Washington Trails Association (WTA) has performed extensive maintenance on the Colonel Bob Trail in 2021, 2022, and 2026, significantly improving tread quality on the steepest switchback sections. Despite this ongoing work, the trail remains a serious undertaking: the gradient is relentless, blowdowns and brush can narrow the upper track, and the final ridge to the summit requires sure footing on loose rock. Most fit hikers treat it as a long, demanding day hike; those wishing to break the effort over two days can overnight at the historic Mulkey Shelter.

The trail is popular with climbers using it as a conditioning route for Mount Rainier, which is visible from the summit on clear days. It is also an important wildlife corridor — black bear, Roosevelt elk, and black-tailed deer all inhabit the Colonel Bob Wilderness, and the old-growth canopy supports northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets.

Route Overview & Stages

The 11 km one-way route rises from the Colonel Bob Trailhead on South Shore Road at 235 m elevation to the open summit at 1,369 m, passing through old-growth forest, a historic shelter, and a wildflower meadow junction before the final rocky push to the top. The vast majority of hikers do the trail as a 22 km out-and-back day hike.

Elevation note: The first 6.4 km carry roughly 69% of the total ascent — expect this section to be relentlessly upward on loose rock and rooted switchbacks. A last reliable creek crossing for water comes approximately 1.5 km below the summit; fill up here. Trekking poles are strongly recommended for both the ascent and the rocky descent.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Colonel Bob Trailhead (235 m): The starting point on South Shore Road along the south shore of Lake Quinault. The Quinault Valley's temperate rainforest atmosphere — mist, the scent of western red cedar, total quiet — greets you the moment the trail enters the Colonel Bob Wilderness boundary just metres from the car park.
• Old-Growth Conifer Forest: The lower 5 km pass through one of the most intact old-growth stands accessible to day hikers in Washington State. Douglas fir and Sitka spruce exceed 60 m in height; nurse logs support generations of younger trees, and bigleaf maple creates a secondary canopy that turns brilliant gold in autumn.
• Mulkey Shelter (approx. 1,100 m): A historic three-sided wilderness shelter at the 6.4 km mark, offering a dry rest stop and the only established overnight camping in the wilderness. Flat tent pads surround the structure. Water is available from a creek 200 m back down the trail.
• Moonshine Flats: A small natural meadow just beyond Mulkey Shelter where the forest canopy opens and long views first appear toward the Olympic Range. In May and June the flats fill with coltsfoot, trillium, and yellow violets — the trail's finest wildflower display.
• Petes Creek Junction (approx. 1,200 m): The fork with Petes Creek Trail #858 at roughly 8.8 km. This marks the last sheltered rest spot before the exposed upper ridge. Most parties continue straight for the summit; the junction also serves as a natural turnaround for hikers who find conditions deteriorating above.
• Upper Ridge Scramble: The final 2 km gains approximately 300 m over technical, rocky terrain. The path narrows to a ridge with occasional hands-on-rock moments in the last 400 m. Snow lingers on this section through late June in most years; microspikes are required before mid-July.
• Colonel Bob Summit (1,369 m / 4,492 ft): The trail's terminus and its reason for being. On a clear day the panorama takes in Lake Quinault glittering 1,100 m below to the south, Mount Olympus (2,432 m) to the northeast, Mount Rainier floating above the Cascades to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west — one of the most complete 360-degree views in Olympic National Forest.
• Lake Quinault Viewpoints: Several natural rock outcrops along the upper ridge provide telephoto-worthy perspectives over the 4 km-long Lake Quinault and the Quinault Indian Nation lands. Late afternoon light is ideal for photography from the summit or the ridge viewpoints just below it.

Best Time to Hike the Colonel Bob Trail #851

The Colonel Bob Trail is a seasonal route: the summit ridge typically holds snow from November through May, and South Shore Road can wash out after severe winter storms. As of 2026, the U.S. Forest Service confirmed that both the access road and the trail are open, and the 2026 WTA trail crew has completed maintenance on the steepest switchback sections in the lower wilderness.

• June: The lower two-thirds are snow-free by mid-June. The upper ridge may still carry 30–60 cm of snow through late June — microspikes or a light ice axe are advisable. Wildflowers peak at Moonshine Flats in mid-June. Temperatures at the summit range from 5–14 °C and precipitation is moderate.
• July & August: Prime hiking season. The summit is reliably snow-free, trailhead temperatures reach 20–25 °C, and the long Pacific Northwest days (17+ hours of light in July) allow an unhurried pace. Start before 07:00 on summer weekends to secure a parking spot at the small trailhead area.
• September: The single best month to hike the Colonel Bob Trail. Crowds thin sharply after Labour Day, temperatures are ideal (8–18 °C), atmospheric clarity reaches its annual peak for summit views, and the bigleaf maples in the lower forest begin turning amber. No snow, minimal competition for the summit, and maximum visibility over Lake Quinault and the Olympic Range.
• October: Possible but variable. Pacific storms arrive more frequently, and the upper ridge becomes slippery with wet leaves and early ice. Sunrise fog views from the summit can be spectacular in early October, but weather windows are shorter and less predictable.
• November – May: Not recommended without winter mountaineering experience. The upper trail is buried in snow; routefinding on the exposed ridge requires map, compass, and avalanche awareness skills.

Best single month: September. Cool, clear, crowd-free, and colourful — September offers every condition a hiker could want on Colonel Bob.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Colonel Bob Wilderness is a primitive backcountry area; there are no staffed huts or commercial lodges on the trail itself.

• Mulkey Shelter (free): A three-sided wilderness shelter at the 6.4 km mark with space for 4–5 hikers, free and first-come, first-served. Carry a tent as backup — the shelter is popular with Rainier-training climbers on summer weekends. No reservation system exists.
• Dispersed wilderness camping (free): Permitted throughout the Colonel Bob Wilderness under Leave No Trace principles. No permit, no fee. Camp at least 60 m from water sources and 100 m from the trail. Flat spots exist near Moonshine Flats and near the Petes Creek junction.
• Lake Quinault Lodge (Amanda Park): The closest established lodging, approximately 6 km from the trailhead on South Shore Road. A historic 1920s lodge; rooms from approximately €135–€250/night (USD $150–$280) depending on room type and season. Book well in advance for July and August.
• Quinault Rain Forest Resort Village (Amanda Park): Budget cabins and RV sites approximately 6 km from the trailhead. Cabins from around €90/night (USD $100). A practical base for multi-day approaches combining Colonel Bob with nearby Olympic National Park routes.

If you plan an overnight at Mulkey Shelter, efficient packing matters — the sustained 1,308 m ascent punishes heavy loads. Our guide to ultralight backpacks in 2026 covers sub-1 kg packs that carry a full overnight kit without breaking your back on climbs like this one.

Getting There & Back

By car (the only realistic option): The Colonel Bob Trailhead sits at the end of South Shore Road (Forest Road 93400) along the south shore of Lake Quinault. From Aberdeen (the nearest city, population ~16,000), drive north on US-101 approximately 50 km to a point 1.6 km south of Amanda Park, turn right onto South Shore Road, and continue 9.8 km to the trailhead. Total drive from Aberdeen: about 50 minutes. The parking area is small — 10–12 vehicles — and fills early on summer weekends.

From Seattle: Allow 3 hours 15 minutes driving southwest via I-5 south and US-101. There is no public transport serving the Olympic Peninsula's inland trailheads.

Nearest airport: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), approximately 280 km northeast (3 hours 15 minutes by car). Rental car is essential — no shuttle or transit service reaches the Colonel Bob Trailhead.

Point-to-point shuttle option: The northern Petes Creek Trailhead on Forest Road 2204 provides a true point-to-point option if you arrange a two-car shuttle. Most hikers skip the shuttle logistics and hike out-and-back from South Shore Road.

The out-and-back version of this trail burns significantly more energy than a typical day walk. Read our guide on how many calories you need for a full hiking day to plan your food properly — a 22 km, 2,616 m combined elevation-change day demands serious fuelling.

Permits & Fees

Gear & Packing List

The Colonel Bob Trail's sustained 1,308 m elevation gain and the Olympic Peninsula's notoriously changeable weather demand a gear list that prioritises waterproofing, ankle support, and caloric density without unnecessary weight.

• Footwear: Waterproof leather or Gore-Tex trail boots with a stiff midsole and good ankle cuff. The first 500 m of trail are infamous for loose rock and slippery roots; ankle support is non-negotiable. Gaiters are strongly recommended to keep debris out on the lower switchbacks.
• Trekking poles: Essential for the descent. The loose rock on the upper ridge and the steep lower switchbacks both demand the security of a third point of contact on the way down.
• Waterproof shell jacket: A hardshell rated at minimum 15,000 mm hydrostatic head. Olympic Peninsula weather can shift from clear to socked-in within 30 minutes — carry it accessible at the top of your pack, not buried at the bottom.
• Insulating midlayer: A synthetic or light down jacket for the summit, where wind chill typically drops felt temperature 10–15 °C below valley air temperature even on fine summer days.
• Backpack: For a day hike, a 20–28 L pack is ideal. For an overnight at Mulkey Shelter, target 40–55 L. Three well-matched options:
  • Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider — ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric construction, outstanding for fast-and-light day hikes where weight savings pay dividends on sustained climbs
  • Osprey Aether 65 — a full-featured overnight pack with excellent load transfer and hip-belt adjustment for distributing a 12–15 kg overnight load on the steep ascent
  • Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 — a mid-weight option balancing ventilated back-panel comfort with generous capacity for two-day overnighters at Mulkey Shelter
• Navigation: Download an offline trail map (USGS Quinault Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle) before leaving cell service, which ends approximately 1.5 km past the trailhead. A compass and physical topo map should accompany any electronic device — the upper ridge is confusing in cloud.
• Water filtration: Carry at least 2 L capacity and a filter (Sawyer Squeeze or MSR BeFree). Fill at the creek crossing approximately 1.5 km below the summit — there is no water on the summit or upper ridge.
• Microspikes: Required for the upper ridge when hiking before mid-July in a typical snow year. In 2026, verify current snow conditions with the Pacific Ranger District (Quinault office) before setting out.
• Food: Budget 3,500–4,500 kcal for a full out-and-back day; the 2,616 m combined elevation change burns significantly more than a flat trail. High-density snacks every 90 minutes outperform single large trail meals.
• Bear awareness: Black bears are active in the Colonel Bob Wilderness year-round. A bear canister is recommended for overnight trips and mandatory for any food storage when the shelter is full. Bear spray is sensible on the lower forest sections at dawn and dusk.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Colonel Bob Trail's combination of ancient rainforest, a demanding summit push, and sweeping panoramic views appeals to you, these Pacific and western US trails share the same fundamental appeal: a serious ascent, rewarding terrain, and views that justify every metre of climbing. All are suitable for experienced day hikers who enjoyed the character of Colonel Bob.

• South Kaibab Trail (United States) — a point-to-point canyon descent through some of North America's most dramatic geology; similarly unrelenting in gradient but experienced in reverse, dropping rather than climbing
• North Kaibab Trail (United States) — the Grand Canyon's longest maintained route, pairing naturally with South Kaibab for a full rim-to-rim traverse that rivals Colonel Bob for physical demand
• Hidden Canyon (United States) — a technical canyon scramble in Zion National Park with the same hands-on-rock character as Colonel Bob's upper ridge section, but in a desert rather than rainforest setting
• Clouds Rest Trail (United States) — Yosemite's high-country alternative to Half Dome with comparable elevation gain to Colonel Bob and arguably broader all-round summit panoramas over the Sierra Nevada
• Panorama Trail (United States) — a shorter, more accessible Pacific West summit loop that makes an excellent warm-up route before committing to a full day on Colonel Bob

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Colonel Bob Trail?

September is the best single month to hike the Colonel Bob Trail #851. Summer crowds have thinned after Labour Day, the trail is fully snow-free to the summit, and atmospheric clarity is at its annual peak — making the panorama of Lake Quinault, Mount Olympus, Mount Rainier, and the Pacific Ocean exceptional. July and August are also excellent but busier; avoid the upper ridge before late June due to lingering snow and ice on the summit section.

How difficult is the Colonel Bob Trail #851?

The Colonel Bob Trail is rated hard. The 11 km one-way route gains 1,308 m (4,292 ft) of elevation, with about 69% of that ascent concentrated in the first 6.4 km of relentless switchbacks. The upper 2 km involve rocky, technical terrain demanding sure footing, and the final ridge section requires care. Fit hikers with regular trail experience typically complete the out-and-back in 7–9 hours. No technical climbing skills are needed in summer conditions.

How far is it per day, and is it suitable as a day hike?

Most hikers tackle the Colonel Bob Trail as a 22 km out-and-back day hike. A fit hiker starting at 07:00 will typically summit by 11:00–12:00 and return to the trailhead by 15:00–16:00 — allow 7–9 hours in total. Those who prefer to break the effort can overnight free of charge at Mulkey Shelter (6.4 km mark) and summit the following morning, transforming it into a very manageable two-day trip.

Where can I sleep on the Colonel Bob Trail?

The Mulkey Shelter at kilometre 6.4 is the only established structure on the route — a three-sided wilderness shelter with space for 4–5 hikers, free and first-come, first-served; carry a tent as backup. Dispersed wilderness camping is permitted anywhere in the Colonel Bob Wilderness with no permit and no fee. The nearest commercial lodging is Lake Quinault Lodge approximately 6 km away, with rooms from around €135/night in peak summer season.

Do I need a permit or parking pass for the Colonel Bob Trail?

No permit is required to day hike or camp overnight in the Colonel Bob Wilderness as of 2026. Unlike many Washington State trailheads, the Colonel Bob Trailhead on South Shore Road does not require a Discover Pass or America the Beautiful Pass for parking — both access and camping are entirely free. Always check the official U.S. Forest Service page before your visit for seasonal fire restrictions or temporary closures following storm damage.