How early Olympic Peninsula?

[John Brown]

Any predictions on when the Olympic Peninsula high country will open up this year? Is May too soon? If I remember right, intense bugs follow?

[Curt Peterson]

Yes, May is likely too soon for anything that would be considered high country. The snowpack has not been as thin there as it has in the Cascades. ONP keeps pretty good trail conditions data on their website. That's the best place to start.

A lot will depend on the spring we have, but it's a very rare year that May will get you much over 3000' or 4000'.

[Ross P Hemphill]

Does the high country being "closed" mean that you're not allowed to go there, or that it would require technical skills/gear? Also, when people talk about Olympic Peninsula backcountry or high country, are they likely talking about the Park, the Forest/Park… the Peninsula?

Gracias.

[John Brown]

By closed I just meant snowed in still. My trip is now 2nd week of July, should be looking good by then, eh?

[Ross P Hemphill]

Thanks for the explanation.

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