Location
Take the Mount Townsend trail to the junction with the Silver Lake trail, then take the Silver Lake trail to the saddle.
At the saddle, turn south and follow a boot path to the Welch Peaks summit. This scramble has some exposure, but is not difficult. The views are just as good as from the very popular Mount Townsend summit, but you will have much more solitude.
Be very careful if there is snow or ice present.
Welch Peaks
Olympic Peninsula
Length
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 6100 ft.
Rating
Parking Pass/Entry Fee
NoneWelch Peaks
Map & Directions
Trailhead
Open map in new windowGetting There
From Quilcene, drive US 101 south for 1.5 miles. (From Shelton follow US 101 north for 50.5 miles.) Turn right (west) onto Penny Creek Road. After 1.5 miles bear left onto Big Quilcene River Road (Forest Road 27). Drive 13.5 miles, ignoring the sign at 12.5 miles for the Mount Townsend Trail (that's the lower trail to Sink Lake). Turn left onto FR 27-190 and in 0.75 mile come to the trailhead.
