Tubal Cain to Buckhorn Lake, Sequim

weather permitting
This is a moderately challenging 12 mile round-trip, out and back hike with 2,000 feet of elevation gain/loss.
We start at the Tubal Cain trail parking lot. This trail is very well maintained and climbs fairly gently for 5.7 miles until the junction for Buckhorn Lake. After crossing Copper Creek and some campsites, we have the choice of taking an easier switchback trail, or a shorter, steeper boot trail that meets back up with the main trail to the lake. After a short hike up the rest of the ridge, we take a side trail to the lake that undulates up and down a bit. We rest and snack here, then return the same way. Bring bug spray.
-Optional hike to the B17 crash site on the way back via Tull Canyon trail. It's relatively short, but quite steep and will add 1.5 miles RT and about 600 feet of elevation gain/loss.

National Park pass needed in the windshield. The last vault toilet is at the Upper Dungeness parking lot about 2 miles before the Tubal Cain lot.
Leashed dogs permitted in the National Forest.

Voluntary carpool leaves John Wayne Marina at 715am with a hike start time of 9am. After driving up Palo Alto Rd, the forest service road is dirt, narrow and full of ruts and deep pot-holes. High clearance vehicles are recommended. This lot is very small, so the fewer vehicles, the better.
Please indicate if you plan to drive and can take passengers and/or you need a ride. Please also indicate if you'd rather meet at the trailhead.
The forecast right now shows partly sunny until late afternoon, with a slight chance of rain after 3pm.