Lillian River Trail - 13.1 Miles Round-Trip

The Lillian River Trail splits off the Elwha River Trail on a challenging 6.55 mile hike to an isolated tract of old growth along the Lillian River. The route follows the main Elwha River Trail 4.15 miles to the Lillian River Trail, which runs 2.4 miles on steep up-down grades and across several creeks to a campsite deep in the backcountry. 

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The Lillian River Trail is unmaintained, overgrown by salal for long stretches and difficult to follow. Only experienced hikers should attempt this trail.

Visitors will likely have this area all to themselves, and enjoy an exceptional piece of intact old growth that contrasts sharply with younger forests along the first several miles of the Elwha River Trail:

The Elwha River Trail heads south from Whiskey Bend on mild grades to the Rica Canyon Trail split (1.2 miles : 1,247'). It dips past the Krause Bottom Trail (1.6 miles : 1,127') to Michaels' Cabin at the Humes Meadow Trail split (1.9 miles : 1,118').

The trail climbs steadily past the cabin in a young forest that burned near the turn of the century. Pockets of large trees remain, but the forest is now mostly comprised of small trees growing in high densities.

A few creek corridors lined with cedar and hemlock were spared, highlighting an otherwise mundane stretch to the Lillian River Trail split (4.15 miles : 1,665').

The Lillian River Trail splits NE and climbs steeply through overgrown salal. The path is generally readable but narrow and frequently obfuscated. It rises quickly up thinly treed slopes dotted with madrone, which favor these drier slopes. Gaps in the forest offer a good look at the Lillian - Elwha valley confluence.

Travel moderates and undulates through 5.2 miles (2,100') before making a long, steady drop to a small creek (5.5 miles). The trail quickly rises back and drops to a more substantial creek with small cascades (5.75 miles : 2,033').

Though grades level now level off, navigation is considerably more difficult past this point. Salal envelops the route and makes it very hard to read. Pay close attention, especially when circumventing down trees (the trail is hard to regain once off). Look for tree cuts and occasional tree markings for guidance.

The trail crosses another creek into a notably lush and older forest near the river (6.3 miles : 1,965'), in sharp contrast to higher-drier parcels only a short distance back.

This archetypal old growth has a mature canopy structure with a decidedly undisturbed feel. Well-spaced trees and a thick moss floor enable exploration.

Travel clarifies on the final approach to a surprisingly well-developed campsite along Lillian River (6.55 miles : 1,910'). The trail continues along the river, but eventually fades in heavy clutter and a narrowing canyon.