Striped Peak, Salt Creek Recreation Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
Striped Peak - 6.1 miles
Salt Creek Recreation Area
| Round-Trip Length: | 6.1 miles (see distance note) |
| Start-End Elevation: | 128' - 1,165' (1,165' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | +1,037' net elevation gain (+1,497' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy-Moderate |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | Yes |
| Related Trails: |
Striped Peak - 6.1 Miles Round-Trip
The Striped Peak Trail runs through old and second growth coastal forests to a 1,165' summit with panoramic views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and northern Olympics. A short side spur leads down to a scenic cove featuring a small beach and tide pools. The trail is well-maintained with moderate grades ideal for runners and active families.
Important Distance Note: Park signs indicate the summit is 2.4 miles from the trailhead - this is misleading.
The marked portion of trail runs 2.35 miles to a an unmarked split near the true summit. At this point you'll merge onto sparingly marked service roads and travel .7 miles to reach the top, which is (anti-climactically) occupied by a cell tower.
There are good views near the end of the marked trail, but to enjoy the full scene, you'll need to continue beyond what park signs suggest:
The trail heads east under a tall hemlock and fir canopy lined with salmonberries. There are some notably large fir and cedar trees on these lower sections. It undulates across steep coastal slopes to a marked spur leading down to The Cove (.85 miles : 195').
It continues away from the coast on variously steep and mild intervals into a younger forest. You'll cross a short bridge to the last trail sign indicating the summit is .4 miles away (1.95 miles : 695'). The trail pitches up to an unmarked fork (2.3 miles : 945').
The left fork continues east in the woods toward Fresh Water Bay; the right fork spills out on a service road. To reach the summit, follow the road down, then make a left. Take this road up to a fork and make a right (follow signs for 'Locked Gate Ahead' - a reference to the cell tower).
This last leg steepens to the cell tower and Striped Peak summit (3.05 miles : 1,165'). Keep track of your heading on these roads, and backtrack the way you came to avoid confusion.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N48 09.733 W123 41.899 — 0.0 miles : Striped Peak Trailhead
- N48 09.783 W123 41.315 — .5 miles : Rolling ascent through new and old growth
- N48 09.730 W123 40.915 — .85 miles : Spur down to cove
- N48 09.681 W123 40.754 — 1.0 miles : Variously steep and mild grades
- N48 09.454 W123 40.230 — 1.5 miles : Fast travel in nondescript forest
- N48 09.205 W123 39.845 — 2.0 miles : Sign marking .4 miles to summit
- N48 09.103 W123 39.928 — 2.3 miles : Unmarked split near top of ridge
- N48 08.978 W123 40.203 — Unmarked route on road to lookout
- N48 09.042 W123 39.812 — Left fork heads east
Worth Noting
- Though bears are uncommon in the SCRA, a sow with cubs were spotted on the trail in July 2015. Stay alert, and report all bear and cougar sightings to the DNR.
- Salt Creek Recreation Area covers 196 acres of beach, bluffs and upland forests on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The site was used during WWII as a harbor defense base called Camp Hayden.
- Salt Creek is on the Olympic Whale Trail and part of the National Audubon Society's Olympic Loop of the greater Washington State Birding Trail.
Camping and Backpacking Information
There are 92 campsites in Salt Creek Recreation Area (90 available to the public).
- 50% are first-come, first-serve | 50% are available through reservations.
- Campsite reservations are accepted for the current calendar year only (Jan 1 - Dec 31). All reservations must be made at least 7 days prior to your arrival date. Each reservation will be charged a $10 non-refundable reservation fee in addition to the nightly camping fee. Click here to reserve a site.
- Frist-come, first-serve camping is done through self registration on-site. Information and fee envelopes are available at 2 fee stations.
- Locate and occupy an empty, designated site first-come, first-serve site. You must return to the fee station and register within 30 minutes of occupying the site.
Standard Campsite Fees
- $20 per night (Clallam County resident)
- $23 per night (non-resident)
Utility Campsite Fees
- $25 per night (Clallam County resident)
- $28 per night (non-resident)
Dump Station Fees
- $5 per night (Clallam County resident)
- $7 per night (non-resident)
General Rules
- Cash or Check only (USD only) | Credit Cards not accepted
- Check out time is noon for all campers
- Max group size per site is 6
- One extra non-camping car is permitted at each site ($5 fee)
- 14 night continuous stay maximum
Rules and Regulations
There is no Day Use Fee or Entrance Fee to Salt Creek Recreation Area (camping fees apply).
- Summer Hours: 7am - 10 pm | Winters Hours: 7am - 7pm
- Dogs are permitted and must remain leashed at all times
- Beach fires are not permitted
- Fireworks are not permitted
- Hunting or the discharging of firearms is not permitted
Directions to Trailhead
Salt Creek Recreation Area is located approximately 15.7 miles from Port Angeles, WA.
From Port Angeles, head 5 miles west on Highway 101 to SR 112. Turn right on SR 112 and continue 7.2 miles to Camp Hayden Road.
Turn right on camp Hayden Road and follow it 3.5 miles to the Salt Creek Recreation Area campground and entrance station (Note: keep right at the fork just before entering the Park; the left fork heads to Crescent Beach).
The Striped Peak Trailhead is located just past the entrance station on the right.
Contact Information
Salt Creek Recreation Area
3506 Camp Hayden Road
Port Angeles, WA 98363
360.928.3441
email: ccpsc@olypen.com
Clallam County Parks, Fair & Facilities Department
223 East 4th Street, Suite #7
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.417.2291
Department of Natural Resources | Olympic Region
411 Tillicum Lane
Forks, WA 98331
360.374.6131
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