Mt. Townsend via Little Quilcene Trail

weather permitting
This is a challenging 7.5 mile round-trip, out and back hike with 2,300 elevation gain/loss that starts at Little Quilcene trailhead at the end of FS 2820. No parking pass required.
There are several trailheads to get to Mt. Townsend. We will be using the trailhead off Lord's Lake Loop Rd to Little Quilcene Rd (NF 2909). The forest service roads will have potholes and ruts so higher clearance vehicles are better.
There are several trailheads with the name Quilcene in them. Make sure you are using the correct route before you leave as there is no cell service out there.
(For some reason the app keeps moving the pin I place on the map. Please check the directions)

We will begin with a steep uphill hike for the first mile or so. We will continue ascending via Dirty Face Ridge where we will have views of the Olympic Mountains to the west. We will take the Mt. Townsend trail to the summit at 6,280 feet elevation. On a clear day, we will be able to see the San Juan Islands, Canada, Mt Baker, Mt. Rainier, the Cascade Range and Seattle.
It can be cold and windy at the top, so bring layers. Depending on the weather, we will either stop for snacks here, or head back down a bit to get out of the wind. I highly recommend bringing trekking poles as the trail can be steep and slippery.