Anderson Moraine Trail

Anderson Moraine Trail is a steep primitive wilderness route from Anderson Pass, the West Fork Dosewallips junction, to the Duckabush River Trail junction across a high moraine. The payoff is a view over a glacier-fed lake beneath Mount Anderson. Allow about 1.6 miles round trip and two hours for the 0.8-mile one-way corridor and return; the map draws that corridor once. This is a remote backcountry side trip, not a road-access hike, and your approach to Anderson Pass adds substantial mileage.

From the pass, the trail climbs on rough, primitive tread toward the moraine. The climb is short but steep, with uneven and loose footing in places; take your time and keep your navigation handy. The mapped section rises from roughly 4,500 feet to about 5,200 feet. At its high end it meets the Duckabush trail network. Continuing beyond that junction makes this a different, longer backcountry itinerary.

A knoll on the moraine looks down on a small alpine lake, about 100 feet below, with Mount Anderson rising behind it. The lake is fed by meltwater from the remnants of Anderson Glacier; the glacier lies beyond the lake, outside this short trail. The view also opens toward the forested Enchanted Valley. For a photo, include the lake in the lower frame with the rocky, snow-streaked peak above it so the basin's scale is clear.

There is no road or parking at the pass. Reach it on foot by a wilderness approach, most directly from the West Fork Dosewallips side or from the East Fork Quinault and Enchanted Valley side. Those approach miles are separate from the 1.6-mile out-and-back here. Pets are prohibited on Olympic National Park trails. If your trip includes an overnight in undeveloped backcountry, a wilderness camping permit is required; food, garbage, and scented items must be kept in approved animal-resistant containers.