Bailey Range Traverse
Olympic PeninsulaBest Apr–Jun
A multi-day spring ski traverse of the Olympic interior — Carrie, Ruth, Pulitzer, the Humes and Blue Glaciers, all under Mt. Olympus.
About This Trail
The Bailey Range Traverse is the classic Olympic ski objective — a multi-day spring ski mountaineering trip through the heart of Olympic National Park's interior, linking Mt. Carrie, Mt. Ruth, Pulitzer Peak, and the Humes Glacier complex en route to the Blue Glacier under Mt. Olympus. Standard execution is four to six days, entering and exiting from Sol Duc when the Hoh River road is closed, otherwise using Hoh as the exit for a true point-to-point.
The terrain runs the full Olympic catalog. South-facing meadows on Mt. Carrie, wet-snow couloirs in mid-elevation transitions, true glacier travel across Humes and the Blue, and the long mellow Blue Glacier ski-out beneath the bulk of Olympus itself. Conditions move fast in spring — post-heat-wave windows can deliver hard refrozen surfaces in the morning and dangerous wet snow by afternoon. Carry rope, harness, and crevasse rescue gear throughout.
Olympic weather makes its own rules. Three-mph wind forecasts have been wrong by orders of magnitude on the upper ridges. Cornices, wet-loose slides, and stream crossings on the exit days demand current weather windows and conservative route choices. Wilderness permit required for backcountry camps within Olympic National Park.
Mixed glacier and ridge skiing across the full Olympic catalog. South-facing meadows on Carrie, mid-elevation couloirs, true glacier descent on Blue. Snow ranges from cold hard refrozen to wet loose depending on cycle.
No established skin track — multi-day trail-breaking through complex terrain. Bootpack on the steepest peak ascents.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Few parties attempt the full traverse in any season. Most spring trips encounter no other ski parties.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended; water reflection adds glare near the lake
Persistent Hazards
- Multi-day glacier travel on Humes and Blue Glaciers — crevasse rescue gear and rope team mandatory
- Whiteout conditions on Mt. Carrie descent — navigation by GPS essential
- Wet-loose avalanches on warm afternoons through spring
- Cornice ridges between peaks — careful route choice required
- Stream crossings on the exit days, especially after warm cycles
- Hypothermia risk on weather-bound final days
- Wilderness permit required from Olympic NP for camps
Getting There
Sol Duc Resort area for entry, ideally Hoh River trailhead for exit when road is open. National Park Pass required.