Olympic National Park

West Lake Mills

This trail begins at the boat launch, elevation 600 feet, on the northern shore of Lake Mills. It leads southward gaining elevation slowly. Within a half mile of the trailhead the track crosses a small stream and continues to ascend steadily. The trail reaches a high point of 760 feet less than one mile south of the trailhead then contours the lake at that level. Periodically the path enters clearings with views eastward across the lake and north and south along the lake. Approximately two miles from the trailhead the track ends abruptly on a high cliff above the lake. Boulder Creek empties into the lake immediately south of this cliff.

Olympic National Park, 600 East Park Avenue , Port Angeles, WA, 98362-6798, Phone: 360-452-4501

Directions

Directions from Port Angeles: Follow Highway 101 westward approximately 8 miles to Elwha River Road, a.k.a. Olympic Hot Springs Road. Turn left and follow the river road southward into Olympic National Park. Three miles from Highway 101 you'll reach the Elwha Campground, continue past this facility to the Elwha Ranger Station. (Here you can obtain trail conditions and camping permits.) Beyond the ranger station veer right as the Whiskey Bend Road leads to the left. Follow this road past the entrance for Altaire Campground to the Lake Mills boat launch. Park in the day-use parking area and begin this hike from the trailhead along the lake.