There’s a cut-out trail available for hikers to climb the ridge and bypass the old washout. It’s steep, with switchbacks, but quick. Within minutes, you’ll be on the west side of the washout and back on level ground. Sign in at the NPS kiosk and then it’s only a mile stroll to Elkhorn Campground, alongside the river and in deep, old-growth, moss-covered beauty. There are many, many flat and hardened campsites with fire rings, but several of the old picnic tables have begun to collapse. This was a vehicle-ready campground until 2003 but is no longer maintained. The “bear boxes” are gone, so you’ll need to hoist your foods and odorous items. There are no bear wires, but we found many strong branches reaching out to get our bear bags sufficiently out from the tree and off the ground. We spotted no wildlife while we were there…not even a bird. Both of the pit toilet buildings are now permanently closed, with their doors fastened shut, so you’ll need to practice your LNT skills out in the forest beyond. Elkhorn is on US Forest Service land. While the Dosewallips River is glacier-fed, you still need to treat your water. A filter pump is best, since there’s just enough sediment to be annoying if you only try to boil it. Filtering is arguably still the best method to guard against protozoa.

After a hot breakfast, we broke camp, cleaned the area, and started up the trail to the Dosewallips Ranger Station and campground, about 3.5 miles distant and another 1,000 feet in elevation. The old single lane dirt road has been slowly reclaimed by nature and in years to come may become impassable due to rockslides, tree falls, and other erosion. On the route up, we scrambled across 4 rock slides (one major new one since last year), a new and worsening washout at a creek, two bridges still intact, and many, many fallen trees. The Lake Constance Trailhead branches off to the north, but is in poor shape due to last year’s forest fire and a winter’s erosion. After you reach the Olympic National Park boundary (the sign is all but gone, but the snow gate is still there), look for the magnificent photo opportunity on your left at the Dosewallips Falls. You’re now only 1.2 miles from the shuttered Ranger Station and the campground.

The “Dosey” campground is like Elkhorn, originally built to accept vehicles but is now overgrown and looks like an episode of “Life After People“. It’s a mix of old growth and open meadow. There are several large, working bear boxes, large enough to put 3 or 4 whole packs in them if you wish. The single remaining pit toilet is open, with an old shower curtain for a door. The heavy timber tables are clear of moss and usable. The continuous rush of the river alongside the campground will lull you to a deep sleep. There’s a steady, cold wind accompanying the flow of water down from the glaciers, so make sure you have extra layers of clothing to don. With the high mountain walls on either side, the sun disappeared early and didn’t show up again until mid-morning the next day. There’s lots of downed wood and dried flotsam along the river banks for great, friendly, warming campfires. We had a family of deer visiting us, but they kept their distance.

It’s a quick jaunt down the trail and back to the cars the next morning. We took our time to rest and hydrate and still only needed about 90 minutes before we were on our way. Don’t forget to stop at the Quilcene General Store for an ice cream cone or a frappuccino on the way home!

As reported by Crew 1042. Used with permission. Are you interested in an active Venture Crew (for young men and women 14-20) in the Silverdale area? Contact Crew 42 for information.

The weather and scenery couldn’t have cooperated any better. Within minutes, we were already beginning to strip off layers of jackets and vests as we walked the Spit. Even the tides were on our side, so that we could mostly walk directly on the beach rather than scamper across the rocks and driftwood. Dungeness is the longest natural sand spit in the United States, and juts out 5.5 miles from the Olympic Peninsula and ends at the Dungeness Light, once a manned Coast Guard station that’s now automated and has volunteer guides who live in the old Lighthouse Keeper’s house for a week at a time, year round. There’s a beautiful grass lawn and a fresh water well at the Light. After lunch and a climb up to the top of the Light, we loaded up and hiked back. It was a little over 11 miles round trip, with Dante taking “honors” (if you want to call it that) for hefting the heaviest pack at over 60 pounds. Please don’t ask what he was carrying, but we can all testify that it was natural, organic materials. Staying hydrated was important, as well as making sure our packs fit well and shoes and feet were cared for. Everyone changed out at least their sock liners once we reached the Light, and relaxed our bare feet on the grass while eating lunch and watching the ships sail by on the Strait. It was truly a day to take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

As reported by Crew 1042. Used with permission. Are you interested in an active Venture Crew (for young men and women 14-20) in the Silverdale area? Contact Crew 42 for information.

Where: Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale.

Distance: Zac was able to plan out a 10.045 mile route.

Weather: 35 degrees and slightly overcast with a slight breeze on the beach. Perfect hiking weather.

Level: Easy – Medium (2/9)

What was the most fun?
The boardwalk near the farm. Just beautiful.
The beach.
The end!
Food

What we did:
Stopped at Costco for pizza lunch (yum!) Crossed lots of bridges.
Walked
Saw birds.
.
.
.
.
.
The most challenging thing:
Nothing
Everything
Starting back up after lunch.

Water Source:
We brought water, but the trail goes by a lot of businesses so you could get some there. Plus, there were bathrooms along the way.
Costco
Our water bottles.

What we saw:
A great blue heron
Ducks
Driftwood
The beach
A barn.

What I brought:
Snacks
Too much clothing
Ten Essentials
Water
Water

What we learned:
You can get sunburned even when it’s 35 degrees outside.
Hike even when the weatherman says it is going to rain.
This is a great hike! I’ve always wondered what the Clear Creek Trail was when we pass the sign on Bucklin Hill. Now I know – the best hidden secret of Silverdale.
This is a very easy hike.

Suggestions for other people doing this hike:
Wear comfortable shoes.
Bring lots of water

Conclusion:
Very easy hike.
Lots of fun.
Good food
An easy hike.

Adult Note: If you hike this on a Saturday, the Interpretive Center may be open. It’s geared toward Elementary aged students, but useful to all.

Send us a brief description of YOUR troop. Troops are Seattle Council unless otherwise noted.

Troop 12 (Pacific Harbors) – Does your Scout have physical special needs? Troop 12 offers extra support and modified activities for Scouts with such challenges as Asperger’s, Autism, Cerebral Palsy. Meets Tuesdays at 7pm at Tumwater Middle School, 6335 Littlerock Rd SW. For details call David Richter at (360) 236-9641 or (360) 888-0733.

Troop 212 (Pacific Harbors) – Large, service-oriented Quality unit. Gig Harbor.

Troop 220 (Pacific Harbors) – Service-oriented, active, inclusive troop meeting on the Key Peninsula.

Troop 1492 – Tight-knit, active, high-adventure troop. Sequim.

Troop 1501 – Small, personable, Catholic troop with active Scouts. Bremerton.

Troop 1506 – Tracyton.

Troop 1508 – Christian, outdoorsy, full-uniform, Baden-Powell troop. Manchester.

Troop 1532 – Decidedly Christian, predominantly homeschool troop. Port Orchard.

Troop 1539 – Very large, extremely active and adventure-based troop. Silverdale. (aka “The Black Hats”)

Venture Crew 1042 – Large crew focusing on physical activities. Silverdale.

Venture Crew 1508 – Girls-only Crew, meeting in Manchester.

Tell us about YOUR troop! It helps boys are looking for a Scout troop find the right fit.

See Hike Reports on various places here. Feel free to add your own. Requirement 7 states, “After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous “trek”) in requirements 5 and 6, write a short report of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and interesting things you saw. Share this report with your merit badge counselor.” If your counselor agrees, you can use one of the same formats as those posted.

Hiking Resources

Kitsap Volkssporters takes monthly hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. If you’re working on your badge without the rest of your troop, this could be a good alternative.

Clear Creek has been called “The Jewel of Silverdale.” That jewel sometimes needs polishing. Volunteers are always needed to maintain trails, man events, or just pick up trash. Whether you have an hour or a full weekend, service hours can be tailored to your schedule.