Dry Creek Trail

Route Description for Dry Creek Trail

The Dry Creek Trail is a pleasant, fairly easy hike beside Lake Cushman and into the forest that is popular with dog owners and newer hikers. This is a pretty hike with no significant challenges to note.

The route begins just before the entrance to Olympic National Park. Cross a small bridge to the other side of Lake Cushman, where there is parking. The first part of the hike is on private property, so please keep your pets close and be respectful of the cabins and land around you.

Walk on a forest road to where it gives way to the trail. Lake Cushman will stretch out beside you, and the beautiful forest will be on the other side. Watch for a wonderful treehouse built into the woods.

The trail wraps around the mountain and you’ll begin to gain some elevation. While the trail is generally well-maintained, downed trees can sometimes require a bit of climbing around. At the southern base of the mountain, the trail eventually flattens out.

The final push to the top can be a bit wet and steep, but just keep going. There’s a perfect lunch spot at the top of this trail that you can enjoy before retracing your steps to the trailhead.