Dosewallips River Trail & Olympic National Park Overnight

Let's enjoy a beautiful and relaxing, beginning backpacker friendly trip in the Buckhorn Wilderness and Olympic National Park! We'll backpack approximately 8 miles with 1200 feet elevation gain to Dose Forks camp. We'll plan to leave the trailhead at 9am (please arrive 15 minutes early to check in) and hopefully reach Dose Forks camp around 1pm. When we arrive, we'll have lunch and pitch our tents. In the afternoon, we'll have the option of exploring either direction of the West Fork Dosewallips River trail or continuing on the Dosewallips River trail. We'll return to camp before dinner. NPS recommends heading south on the West Fork towards/to Diamond Meadows, so, we'll probably do that Saturday. On Sunday, early birds will have the option of exploring either of these trails (north Dose Forks is steep and will reach snow in 3 mi). We'll meet back at Dose Forks camp late morning and hike back to the trailhead.

We will be camping in Olympic National Park. Although Dose Forks has bear wires, bear canisters are strongly preferred. An overnight wilderness permit will be required ($8/person). You may call NPS and obtain a permit via phone if you call no later than Wednesday or you may use the permit/registration box on the trail and send payment by mail or drop off at an NPS office (honor system). A Northwest Forest Pass, Recreation Day Pass, or America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass will also be required to park at the trailhead.

We may NOT have cell service at/near the trailhead. Prepare accordingly.

Helpful links:
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dosewallips-river
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/dosewallips-river-trail.htm
https://www.theoutbound.com/washington/backpacking/camp-at-the-dose-forks <--- look at their description and pictures!!!
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/upload/wildernessmap-10-25-16.pdf
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html

I will send trip updates to everyone’s personal email, since not everyone receives Meetup messages. When you sign up you must provide your full name, personal email address, cell number and Sierra Club member number (if you have one).

Participants will be required to sign a Liability Waiver (http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/sites/content.sierraclub.org.outings/files/forms/local-outings-individual_waiver.pdf) - no need to print it, we'll have it at the trailhead for you to sign.

We encourage trip participants, whenever possible, to carpool to and from the trailhead in order to minimize their carbon emissions. However, it is at your sole risk, whether you are the driver or passenger. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them; carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the drivers and riders.

All Sierra Club outings are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. Many participants donate $5-10 or so to support Sierra Club conservation programs.

We lead fun and educational outings to enjoy, explore and protect our inspiring natural resources. We have outings across Washington that use different Meetups. To learn about our outings, visit: www.sierraclub.org/washington/outings

The Sierra Club was established in 1892. You can join our conservation campaigns, such as protecting wilderness and promoting clean energy. Learn about our work at: www.sierraclub.org/wa

Photo credit: https://www.theoutbound.com/washington/backpacking/camp-at-the-dose-forks#photo-205329