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Wagonwheel Lake Trail

Difficult Difficult
 3.8 (8)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Olympic Peninsula
  4. Olympic National Park
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“Steep, steep, and more steep. This trail rewards you with a nice lake in the Olympic Wilderness ”

Doug Scott
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3.1

Miles

4.9

KM

Point to Point

4,663' 1,421 m

High

841' 256 m

Low

3,822' 1,165 m

Up

13' 4 m

Down

24%

Avg Grade (13°)

52%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake

Description

The Wagonwheel Lake Trail is brutal, and one of the steepest trails in the Olympic National Park. That being said, the trail is quite enjoyable and shows visitors just how rugged the terrain in this park can be. Starting from the Staircase Campground, hikers will climb nearly 2,000 feet to Wagonwheel Lake.

While the lake itself isnt amazing, it is home to bobcats, as well as deer and an occasional elk. Make your way up here, sweat a ton, and enjoy knowing you rocked an extremely difficult trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Olympic National Park

Shared By:

Doug Scott
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 8 votes

#51

in Olympic National Park

#12665

Overall
  3.8 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#51

in Olympic National Park

#588

in Washington

#12,665

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,423 Since Sep 25, 2015
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
11%
11%
67%
11%
Add a Photo

Photos

Panorama across Copper Mountain.
Jun 10, 2025 near Hoodsport, WA
Wagonwheel Lake
Jun 10, 2025 near Hoodsport, WA
1.2 miles up Wagonwheel Lake Trail. One of the only view spots on the trek up.
May 30, 2018 near Hoodsport, WA
Snow below Cub Peak
Jun 10, 2025 near Hoodsport, WA
Ascent to Cub Peak.
Jun 10, 2025 near Hoodsport, WA
Ridge near old slide area.
May 30, 2018 near Hoodsport, WA

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

May 17, 2024
Tilman Giese
Sep 16, 2023
Hope Shaw
Not for beginners. 2mi
Jun 14, 2020
Breann Hogie
This trail will lead you around Wagon Wheel Lake, to a couple of false summits and green meadows before you reach Cub Peak. 3.1mi
Jun 13, 2020
Breann Hogie
3.1mi
May 24, 2020
Sarah Scheuer
May 27, 2019
Timothy Lambert
May 28, 2018
Kristi B
Correcting to include published info from ONP: "2.9 miles with an elevation gain of 3,365 feet. strenuous hike up forested slopes, with occasional… 2.9mi
Dec 23, 2017
Shane Schwarze
Amazing Views but extremely challenging once you get to the top in deep snow.

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