Video
Video coming after I hike it
Shorts
Shorts coming soon
Stats
My hike
Not hiked yet. My stats will show up here after I hike it.
Route info
- Length
- 2.8 mi
- Type
- Out-and-Back
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route gain
- 3,200 ft
- Dogs
- Not Allowed
Published figures from the park, the forest, WTA or AllTrails. "Route gain" is for a popular WTA hike that uses this trail, so it may cover more or less than the trail itself.
Season & conditions
For reference- Seasonal access
- No fires at Wagonwheel Lake due to being above 3,500' in elevation Bear canisters are required Expect snow and winter conditions along this route during the winter and into early summer on a typical year.
- Passes & permits
- NPS entrance fee/pass (park-wide); wilderness permit required for all overnight trips; WTA lists: America the Beautiful Pass; Permit: Yes
- Trail status
- CLOSED: Trail closed following Bear Gulch Fire of 2025 Very steep trail with limited water sources. There is around 3200 feet of elevation gain within 2.9 miles of trail. No fires at Wagonwheel Lake due to being above 3,500' in elevation Bear canisters are required Expect snow and winter conditions along this route during the winter and into early summer (NPS, updated 9/30/26)
- Road
- Staircase Rd open; only Staircase Rapids Loop open, other Staircase trails closed after 2025 Bear Gulch Fire (NPS 7/8/26)
Conditions change fast, and these notes may be out of date. Check official sources before you go: NPS Olympic trail & road conditions.
Finding the trailhead
- Trailhead
- North Fork Skokomish Trailhead
- Access
- Paved road to Staircase Ranger Station
- Road
- Staircase Rd open; only Staircase Rapids Loop open, other Staircase trails closed after 2025 Bear Gulch Fire (NPS 7/8/26)
- Seasonal access
- No fires at Wagonwheel Lake due to being above 3,500' in elevation Bear canisters are required Expect snow and winter conditions along this route during the winter and into early summer on a typical year.
- Pass
- NPS entrance fee/pass (park-wide); wilderness permit required for all overnight trips; WTA lists: America the Beautiful Pass
From public park, forest and WTA info. Roads and access change, so check before you go.
Official source
Map
Public trail lineParkForest
USGS The National Map · NPS · USFS
Public trail line from park and forest GIS data. My GPS track replaces it after I hike it.