Olympic National Park in September

Yeah, my memory of being a denizen of Puget Sound is that September was often the nicest month of the year (so of course we were stuck in school. I was permanently scarred by the smell of a school bus on a hot day).

Thanks, y'all. With 6 full days to play with, what would you do; spend 6 days backpacking, or 5 days backpacking and a day to explore the coast?  Coast looks mighty spectacular. 

Definitely agree with taking a day for the coast. Or even two--spend a night out there, or at least in a coastal campground. Of course, I tend to think of the area as one where permits and reservations aren't required, and I suspect that's 30 years out of date (which, alas, is how long it's been since I was out there. Must remedy that).

OK, first things first. Fishing is NOT my expertise, but I have not heard much in the way of reports that any of the high alpine lakes are excellent fishing. I will ask around but I am doubtful. In ONP, it is strictly catch and release with barbless hooks. The Elwha is closed to all fishing right now and it is the best place in ONP to fish, so you are out of luck there.

What kind of miles and elevation gain per day are you planning? Is this six full days of backpacking or are the end days just half days in reality? Do you want to schedule so that you KNOW you can make your particular camp spot or do you want flexibility?

I don't advise splitting the trip into coastal and alpine. The reason being is that you will shortchange your alpine portion. Seriously, you don't want to rush through the alpine. I also try to avoid quota areas where you MUST reserve a site on a particular date. This can be done if you do the quota area first, but can be problematic if done otherwise.

I would never park my own vehicle at the Duckabush trailhead. It is one of the most active for vandals and thieves. The Dosewallips is better but is also subject to the same. Having said that, the Duck is a spectacular river and so is the Dose. Well every river is spectacular. *bigonpgrins* If you decide to go in or come out at the Duck, I would arrange for a shuttle rather than leaving a vehicle. I might be able to help you with that depending on my own personal situation. (I can't drive as I am legally blind but I might find a driver.)

I am scheduled for two WTA work parties on the Skyline this summer, a total of 15 days. So I am reasonably sure that it will be in fairly decent shape. The Quinault River is a great river. The loop that takes you to LaCrosse Basin and Anderson Pass is Spectacular. You could also go up the Dose and over Heyden Pass down to the Elwha, up to Low Divide and onto the Skyline and out the North Fork Quinault. I haven't figured the miles on that, but it's a good one. You could go in at Obstruction Point, down into Grand Valley, up and over Grand pass to Cameron Creek. over Cameron Pass and Lost Pass to the Dose, and down and out there. These are just off the top of my head. They are all on trail with no off-trail routes.

Rumi

PS: I would add that at that time of year you should almost be guaranteed to see bears in the Marmot Lake/La Crosse Pass/La Crosse Basin, Anderson Pass/O'Neil Pass areas.

PPS: Rain and Temp   Wow, at the end of September it could be warm or it could be cold. It could be rainy and windy or calm and clear. That time of the year is really hard to predict. If it does rain it is likely not going to be that all day soaking rain, just intermittent showers with clouds and mist.  No guarantees on Olympic mountain weather.

Why not start at Sol Duc, go to Heart Lake and over Appleton Pass? You'll miss Glacier Meadows unfortunately.