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Views of the Sol Duc
Valley, Crescent Lake, and the Olympic
Mountain Ranges are what make this loop an
incredible ride or hike.
Trail #882 (Mount Muller) is a nearly 13
mile loop that offers challenging climbs and
descents through switchbacks on the way to
and from the ridge top destinations and
viewpoints.
 Camping
areas are very well maintained, with corrals
for stock use (no need for highlines here),
a stock water tank, a vault toilet, and pull
in parking areas for 5-6 truck trailer rigs
as well as many dispersed camping spots,
complete with hitching rails, scattered
throughout the campground.
The
loop is best ridden in a clockwise direction
starting from the left of the trailhead
kiosk.
Due
to the steep (20% in a few places) climbs
stock should be in good shape for this
trail. Trail footing is smooth with few
rocks or ruts. It’s evident that these
trails are well maintained.
When I think of
Washington State I think of not only snow
capped mountains, but also of big water and
salt water vistas. With that in mind we
ventured forth with the goal of finding a
great riding trail that would give us a
little of everything that typifies our
Washington.
We found what we were
searching for at the Littleton Horse Camp
and the Mount Muller Loop Trail in the
Olympic National Forest on the northern end
of the Olympic Peninsula.
Littleton Horse Camp
is well appointed with corrals for stock use
(No need for highlines here!), stock water
tank, numerous dispersed camping sites,
vault toilet, and back in parking for 6-7
truck/trailer rigs. The campground is one of
the nicest that we’ve had the pleasure of
staying at. It’s evident that the Olympic
BCHW Chapter puts forth tremendous effort
here both in camp and on the trail.
The Mount Muller
Littleton Loop trail (Forest Service Trail
#882) is 12.8 miles long and is a rough
rectangle with the long sides bounded by
Highway 101 and the ridge top 2,200 feet
overhead. Riders will have a 3 mile climb up
on the western side of the loop and a
similar descent back down into the valley on
the return on the eastern side of the loop.
The trail is most
commonly ridden in a counter clockwise
manner and starts immediately to the left of
the trailhead kiosk following Littleton
Creek for a short while before starting the
climb to Jim’s Junction about 3 miles ahead.
You’ll have trail signs guiding your way,
through thick forest on the way up, and
throughout the trip, naming various points
and telling you the distance you’ve
travelled.
Once you’ve made it
to the crest, at Jim’s Junction, turn
eastward and start on what may be the most
rewarding section of trail as you meander
along the ridge top for several miles. On
the way to the summit of Mount Muller you’ll
pass a number of remarkable viewpoints
including glimpses of the Strait of Juan de
Fuca, and numerous meadows each with
glorious, and sometimes dizzying, views of
the Sol Duc Valley thousands of feet below
you.
2.3 miles past Jim’s
Junction you’ll arrive at your destination,
the summit of Mount Muller and site of a
long forgotten fire lookout. Be assured that
a lunch taken at the top of Mount Muller
will be a memorable one for, although no
trace of the lookout remains, the views that
the lonely fire watches enjoyed are still
here, waiting for you at an elevation of
3,748 feet.
Returning to the
Littleton Horse Camp by way of the eastern
half of the loop is another seven and a half
miles in the saddle. You’ll be rewarded for
the longer return with even more valley
views, including overlooks of Crescent Lake.
After Mosley gap you’ll remain in forested
shade as you begin working your way down the
ridge side. A must visit point is Founts
Rock House. Huge boulders leaning together
form large caverns that several people can
easily stand in. After this stop you’ll
glance at the ridge above and hope that
another giant boulder doesn’t decide to roll
down while you’re there.
After the
Rock House you’ll have just few more miles
of trail till you’re back at camp in time
for dinner.
To Get Here:The
trailhead is west of Lake Crescent, near MP
216, on US Highway 101. Take Highway 101
about 24 miles east of Forks or 31 miles
west of Port Angeles to Mile marker 216.
Look for a small electrical substation and a
"MT. MULLER LITTLETON LOOP TRAILHEAD" sign
and turn onto FS Road #3071. FS Rd. #2918 is
on the opposite side of Highway
101--directly across from FS Rd. #3071.)
Follow FS Rd. #3071 past the substation for
about one-half of a mile to the trailhead
and parking area, with a vault toilet,
picnic tables, bulletin board and fire pit.
A NW Forest Pass is required. NOTE:
A NW Forest Pass is required. For equestrian users Certified Weed free hay
is required.
Information on horse
trails, horse camps and camping and hiking paths for horseback riders, hikers,
and mountain bikers for Mount Muller – Littleton
Creek Horse Camp -
Near Port Angeles
and Forks Washington
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looking for? Let me know
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