Maiden Peak Trail

Maiden Peak Trail is a 7.2-mile out-and-back from Deer Park Campground, following the trail toward Obstruction Point before turning up an informal boot path to the peak. The mapped one-way corridor is 3.49 miles; at about 3.5 miles each way, that fits a 7.2-mile return. Allow about five hours. The first half-mile drops downhill, so the long climb starts after you have already lost ground. Most of the way back begins uphill.

The route starts under trees, then opens into exposed meadows. The climb gets steep in places, and the open slope brings wind and sun after the shaded start. Views begin at the meadows and first subpeak, so you can turn back there if the final peak approach looks too rough. The summit is about 6,434 feet high; expect to work for it even though the mileage looks manageable.

The peak is rocky, with views across the Olympic Mountains and north toward the Strait-side communities when the sky is clear. The last approach follows a ground boot path, not a developed summit walkway. More than one faint use path appears near the top, and some reports describe exposed footing. Keep to the clear mapped line, turn around if it becomes hard to follow, and do not treat an unmarked scramble as required. From the open slope, a photo with the trail crossing the hillside gives the view a sense of scale.

Start at Deer Park Trailhead by the campground. Deer Park Road is narrow and steep; its final nine miles are gravel and unsuitable for RVs and trailers. The road closes seasonally from late fall until spring snowmelt, so check access before driving up. There is no potable water at the campground and hikers report none along the trail; carry enough for the full climb. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on Deer Park trails.