Elk and Jefferson Lakes

Jay Adventure!, Day Hiking, Olympic Peninsula 3 Comments

Elk Lakes are located in the Hamma Hamma region of the Olympic Mountains, specifically the Jefferson Creek drainage of the Olympics. My friends Steve and Nancy from the Peninsula Wilderness Club sponsored this hike and I was excited to go since I had never heard of this place let alone hike it. It turned out to be a fantastic outing on a very beautiful day. There was a lot more to see than I expected. Frozen lakes, icicle laden rocks, mountain views, thundering waterfalls, mossy trees and clean, fresh air. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

At the actual place where you cross Jefferson Creek, there was no water flowing despite quite a bit of flow up above the lake. I imagine it must flow underground where we crossed. There was definitely a very rocky creek bed there, just not enough flow for it to be above ground when we were there.
The previous week had been a particularly cold one in the NW. We got down into the teens on the Fahrenheit scale back home in Silverdale. Even though we were well above freezing, this part of the lower Elk lake was still frozen over.
The moss was everywhere and very nice to look at as we made our way along the trail.
A lovely waterfall on Jefferson Creek as seen from the road portion of the hike between lower and upper Elk Lakes.
Group shot at upper Elk Lake
Great reflections on the partially frozen lake. I believe the pointy mountain in the distance is Mt Pershing.
Moss and lichens covered much of the trees along this trail.

Map of our route.

As a bonus to the day, after the hike, I followed Steve and Nancy by car up to Jefferson Lake, which is just a couple miles up the Jefferson Creek drainage from Elk Lakes. We had to back track around from the Elk Lakes trailhead on some of the logging roads to get to Jefferson Lakes. The trailhead for Jefferson Lake is off of FS road 2401. While Jefferson Lake itself wasn't all that spectacular (the water was very low) Steve told me that he had camped there before and knew of a great view. He was right, the view was pretty awesome!

Hamma Hamma River from road near Hamma Hamma campground.

For drama, mouse over image. Photo is of Mt Washington from Jefferson Creek where it flows into lower Jefferson Lake.
The flanks of Mt Washington from Jefferson Creek as it flows into Jefferson Lake.

Short trail to Jefferson Lake

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3 thoughts on “Elk and Jefferson Lakes”

  • Barefoot Jake (@BarefootJake)
    December 22, 2013 at 7:42 am
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    Lovely photographs. Learn something everyday about this area, didnt even know these lakes existed. Someone should write a blog, visiting all the Elk Lakes in the Olympic Mountains. I know of 3 of them now, but there possibly could be more?

    Reply
  • Steve
    December 22, 2013 at 8:47 am
    Permalink

    Jay, great way to show your trip – nicely done!

    Reply

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