Griff Creek Trail

Griff Creek is a 9.6-mile out-and-back from Madison Falls Trailhead, counting roughly two miles each way on Olympic Hot Springs Road and a short bypass, then 2.8 miles each way on the trail. Plan about six to eight hours. The road walk is a gentle warm-up; the named trail climbs steeply through montane forest to a small open clearing near 3,300 feet. With the long approach and sustained grade, the whole outing feels like a hard day.

If you want a shorter day, turn around at the second viewpoint. With the road approach, that makes about eight miles round trip and still reaches a broad view over the Elwha.

The first trail mile climbs beneath mixed evergreen and deciduous canopy, with ferns and moss along the tread. Near 1.5 miles from the former Griff Creek access, a large rock gives a brief look toward Griff Peak. Just beyond it, the first open viewpoint looks up the Elwha Valley toward former Lake Mills and Mounts Carrie and Fairchild. Spring reports note violets, calypso orchids, trilliums and bedstraw on the shaded lower trail.

Another steep half-mile reaches a higher viewpoint with a wider version of the valley view. The official trail continues about 0.8 mile through a rougher, more challenging section before ending in an open clearing. From there, look toward the back of Hurricane Hill, Griff Peak and one of the Unicorn peaks. The upper clearing is the payoff; a separate boot path scrambles above it and is outside the mapped route. For a photo, keep some of the mossy slope in the foreground so the valley has scale.

The upper sections can hold snow in any season, and navigation with a map and compass may be needed where the tread is hard to follow. There are no toilet facilities on Griff Creek; Madison Falls has an accessible toilet. The park lists Griff Creek and nearby streams as water sources, but all stream water needs treatment. Dogs are not allowed on this park trail; service animals are exempt.