Pros & cons
PROS
- Direct access to the Catwalk and Mount Carrie ridge
- Spectacular, close‑up views of the Mount Olympus massif
CONS
- Eroding, faint tread with blowdowns and route‑finding
- Serious exposure on the Catwalk—no‑fall terrain
Park at the Sol Duc trailhead and hike the High Divide; the way trail departs near Cat Peak toward Mount Carrie.
Unmaintained, exposed ridge travel with fading tread, blowdowns, and seasonal snowfields. Advanced navigation required; carry maps/compass/GPS. Bear canisters required; weather shifts fast. Pets not allowed.
What it is
The Bailey Range Way is not a maintained trail—it’s the rough, committing entry from the High Divide near Cat Peak into the Bailey Range, often used to start the legendary Bailey Range Traverse. Expect the maintained tread to simply end, then a steep, eroding way trail climbs toward Cat Peak and the narrow Catwalk arête to Mount Carrie.
The experience
This route trades switchbacks for ridge roaming: heather benches, talus and scree, seasonal snowfields, and an exposed knife‑edge on the Catwalk. In return you get knock‑out views of Mount Olympus, the Hoh River Valley, Seven Lakes Basin, and the Olympic interior. Wildflower meadows pop in mid‑summer, and you might spot black bears, marmots, mountain goats, and deer. Geology nerds: you’re walking uplifted marine sediments and basalt, carved into cirques and glacial valleys—especially dramatic near the Olympus massif.
Length, time, and where this fits
The "Way" itself is a short but serious connector from the end of the High Divide to the Bailey crest; beyond it, the Bailey Range Traverse runs roughly 28–34 miles total depending on your exit, and most experienced parties take about a week. If you just want a great hike on good tread, turn around at the end of the High Divide. If you’re comfortable with exposure and off‑trail navigation, the Way is your key to the Baileys.
Difficulty and hazards
This is advanced terrain: fading tread, blowdowns, off‑trail navigation, and exposure that demands precise footwork. Seasonal snowfields are common, and some parties bring ice axe and traction; depending on conditions, glacier travel elsewhere on the traverse can warrant a rope. Weather turns quickly here; treat forecasts as suggestions, not guarantees.
Permits, rules, and logistics
Overnights require an Olympic National Park wilderness permit, and bear canisters are required for food storage. Pets aren’t allowed on this route. Most parties park at Sol Duc, hike to the High Divide, and step off onto the Way near Cat Peak/Mt. Carrie. Water is usually abundant, but ridge sections can run dry—carry extra for the high stretches.
Best time to go
Late July through September is the window when snow recedes and weather stabilizes. Early summer can be sketchy with lingering snow and unstable slopes. Mid‑week trips help with solitude on the approach; for photos, morning and evening light along the ridge pays off.
A bit of context
The park once intended to continue the High Divide across the Baileys toward Dodger Point before WWII halted the project. That’s why the maintained trail simply ends—leaving today’s user path into one of the wildest corners of the Olympics.
Elevation
31 mi · 168 hrWhere it starts
47.9548, -123.8349Wildlife on this trail
Near Bailey Range Way Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayHigh Divide TrailRainforest-to-ridge loop with lakes, bears, and Mount Olympus viewsChallenging · 19 mi · 11.6 hr
0 mi awaySeven Lakes Basin / High Divide LoopIconic ridge and lake loop with Mount Olympus front and centerChallenging · 19 mi · 11 hr
0 mi awaySol Duc River TrailClassic rainforest to Sol Duc Falls, then on to wild alpine countryChallenging · 17 mi · 9 hr
0 mi awayLunch Lake TrailBig day to a sapphire alpine lake off the High DivideChallenging · 15.3 mi · 9 hr
1 mi awaySol Duc FallsTriple-plunge rainforest falls with a dramatic bridge viewpointTrailhead · Restroom
1.6 mi awaySol Duc CampgroundRainforest campground by hot springs with trails to Sol Duc FallsTrailhead · Restroom
1.6 mi awayThe Springs RestaurantSit-down dining steps from the Sol Duc hot spring poolsRestaurant · Food
1.6 mi awaySol Duc Hot Springs Resort Gift Shop & Grocery StoreTiny resort store for snacks, basics, and souvenirs by the hot poolsStore · Food
