Buckhorn Wilderness - High Buck Hunt

[wsucouga]

I'm thinking about trying the Buckhorn Wilderness area in the Olympics for the upcoming High Buck Hunt.  Never been -  Just wondering if anyone had any information on the area they would be willing to share?  Best way in?  How high do I need to go? etc..etc....

[JimmyHoffa]

There are two parts to this wilderness area--North and South.  The North is around the Graywolf River and a close easy drive to the trailheads.  The high section is next to the national park, and runs along a ridgeline.  The South is a bit farther of a drive to any trailheads.  Plenty of trails, but most are bordering on steep.  LOTS of hikers in the area--because they can take their dogs (companion animals) for hikes, which isn't allowed in the parks.  Animals are around, but can be phantoms in there.  As for high vs low....they are where ever (not much help, I know).  Find lots of good trails in the heavy stuff, but you can't see very far.  Up high, however, you can see for miles.
Do you know which side you are more interested in?

[wsucouga]

Thanks.  I'm leaning towards the North side.

[JimmyHoffa]

There is a trailhead at Deer Ridge/Slab Camp that brings you in low, but it comes right into the Wilderness.  There is a trail off of Forest road 2870 that follows the river and keeps you low.  These parking areas are easy to get to.  If you want to go high, maybe head to the Upper Dungeness Trails and take a spur road (120 I think) there's a sign for the trails at this fork.  It is half washed out, but you can still get a car down it.  At the end is an old trail that leads up to Tyler Peak and you can get on the ridgeline over to Baldy (which is the park boundary line) it's a steep climb that is like stairs going up to about 6000 feet.  There is a bit of alpine meadow here as well as steep slopes.  If you look at maps, most show that there is a road 2875 that goes past Deer Ridge, it doesn't---it has boulders across it but you can walk down the road and one side is wilderness.

[wsucouga]

Thanks!