My favorite time of year is upon us here in the Olympics. All the snow starts melting out in the alpine, wildflowers blooming, bears wake up and birds chirping.
It was time to make my annual pilgrimage up to stay the night on Grey Wolf Ridge. A tradition for the last 3 years running. A great training route for the Olympic Mountain summer time adventures. The path has an ascent profile of 5,000'+ in only a few miles. Summit of Baldy is just under 7,000' (high for the Olympics) and Tyler sitting just over 6,300'. Both have views of the entire north section of the Olympic National Park, including Mount Olympus.
This would be my first time up Baldy. The snow conditions weren't my favor the last few times. Actually not this time either. Optimal safe snow travel conditions are first thing in the morning, before the sun can turn it into spring slush. Wet and heavy snow can also mean a melting slab could give away taking you with it. I decided to go for it. Sunk up to my calf and at times, hip deep every step. This did not make me happy, but was good training. Think of it as doing walking lunges up a mountain with a backpack on.
This was a great time in the Olympic Mountains. This wilderness campsite will always be on my list of go to places for spring time views. I look forward to returning here through the years.
Updated by Barefoot Jake in 2025
It was time to make my annual pilgrimage up to stay the night on Grey Wolf Ridge. A tradition for the last 3 years running. A great training route for the Olympic Mountain summer time adventures. The path has an ascent profile of 5,000'+ in only a few miles. Summit of Baldy is just under 7,000' (high for the Olympics) and Tyler sitting just over 6,300'. Both have views of the entire north section of the Olympic National Park, including Mount Olympus.
This would be my first time up Baldy. The snow conditions weren't my favor the last few times. Actually not this time either. Optimal safe snow travel conditions are first thing in the morning, before the sun can turn it into spring slush. Wet and heavy snow can also mean a melting slab could give away taking you with it. I decided to go for it. Sunk up to my calf and at times, hip deep every step. This did not make me happy, but was good training. Think of it as doing walking lunges up a mountain with a backpack on.
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| The route up Grey Wolf Ridge |
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| Royal Basin area & Mount Deception (center) |
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| Grey Wolf. |
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| Looking SW from Baldy. |
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| Tyler Peak. |
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| My camp from Tyler Peak. |
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| Mount Constance & Pass (right) |
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| Mount Angeles through the haze. |
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| Reflecting at camp. |
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| Sunset & Tyler Peak (right). |
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| Camp. |
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| Locus Gear Khufu Sil under twilight. |
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| Good morning at 5am. Mount Baker over a sea of clouds. |
Video of Hiking Trip
Updated by Barefoot Jake in 2025