Marmot Pass facts for kids

Marmot Pass is a special place in the Olympic Mountains of Washington state. It's about 6,000 feet (1,800 m) high, which is like climbing nearly two kilometers! This pass creates a path for hikers through the beautiful Buckhorn Wilderness.

Marmot Pass is surrounded by other tall peaks. It's close to Buckhorn Mountain, which is 6,870 feet (2,094 meters) tall. You can also find Iron Mountain (6,804 feet or 2,074 meters) and Boulder Ridge (6,852 feet or 2,088 meters) nearby.

Amazing Views from the Pass

From Marmot Pass, you can see some incredible sights. You can look out at the tallest peaks in the Olympic Mountains. You can also gaze down into the Dungeness Valley and see the sparkling Hood Canal. Some people even say that on the 4th of July, you can see fireworks from Seattle all the way from the pass!

Looking Eastward: 180° panorama at the crest of Marmot Pass in the Buckhorn Wilderness of the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. Iron Mountain appears on the left-hand side with the Puget Sound and Hood Canal visible in the middle.

Hiking to Marmot Pass

The trail to Marmot Pass is a fun adventure for hikers. It's about 5.8-mile (9.3 km) long, starting near the Big Quilcene River. As you hike, you'll walk through ancient forests with very old, tall trees. Then, you'll reach wide-open meadows.

The Journey Up

During your hike, you'll climb about 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in elevation. This means you'll be going uphill quite a bit! But the effort is worth it. You'll be rewarded with amazing views that stretch far and wide.

Views Beyond the Olympics

If you hike a little higher than the pass, onto a ridge leading towards Buckhorn Mountain, you can see even more. On a clear day, you might spot other famous mountains beyond the Olympic range. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams.