Our Trail Projects

The Grays Harbor Chapter maintains trails in the Olympic National Forest and on private timber land. Our two main adopted trail projects are the West Fork Humptulips Trail system and the Schafer Grade trails.

West Fork Humptulips River Trail #806 & Rendezvous Camp

The West Fork Humptulips River Trail is located on Pacific District South of the Olympic National Forest and is the only trail that is open and safely stock-accessible by equestrians.

The Grays Harbor Chapter maintains 23 miles of the West Fork Humptulips River Trail system, from the Gorge Bridge Trailhead to the Upper West Fork Trailhead, along with the access trails to Rendezvous Camp, the Rendezvous Loop Trail and the Lower Pete’s Creek Trail.

This beautiful rainforest trail follows the river within a remote valley defined by the heights of Colonel Bob Wilderness to the west and Stovepipe and Moonlight Dome peaks to the east. The trail fords the river multiple times and winds along the western edge of Moonlight Dome Roadless Area. There are many puncheons crossing wetland areas and small creeks, but no bridges cross the river itself.

History

The area was first explored in the late 1890s, and Joseph Campbell, a local prospector, pioneered a route up the river to provide stock access to his mining claims, which were located near present day Campbell Tree Grove Campground.

The Olympic National Forest was designated in 1905, and the first order of business was to construct a comprehensive trail system to aid in managing the un-roaded backcountry and to help locate and fight forest fires. By 1930, the West Fork Trail was completed and eventually provided access to the Colonel Bob Lookout, Lake Quinault and Wynoochee River drainage.

Timber harvesting in the area began in 1906. A wooden splash dam was built just upstream from the Gorge Bridge Trailhead, damming the river and creating a considerable “temporary” reservoir. Trees were then felled into the water and, at pre-arranged intervals, the gates on the dam were opened and the logs were flushed downstream. This cycle was repeated until the logs reached the nearest road end and were then transported to the sawmills on Grays Harbor. The West Fork Splash Dam operated until 1919, when railroads reached the area and truck roads eventually extended providing more efficient ways to access the forest and move logs to the mills. The timber haul road system in the West Fork Humptulips River Valley was extended to the head of the drainage by 1955, and by that point the West Fork Trail fell into disuse and was not maintained for the next 45 years.

In the early 1990s, interest in reopening the trail was led by Bruce Brown, local packer and longtime trail worker, and members of the Mason County Chapter of BCHW. In 1998, the USFS proposed and funded a major overhaul of the trail. Work started the next year, planned and led by Pete Erben, Recreation Planner at the Quinault office. The redesigned and reconstructed trail was completed in late 2001.

In 2007, Pete and Bruce came to the Grays Harbor Chapter and asked if we wanted to get involved in maintaining the West Fork Trail. We agreed, and along with 3 other chapters, signed Volunteer Agreements with the Olympic National Forest. Our first National Trails Day was held the following June, 2008. Since then, the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington has been awarded RTP trail maintenance grants from the State of Washington Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) to maintain trails on the Olympic Peninsula. Grays Harbor Chapter has received portions of the funds to be able to help keep this special and historic area open.

After several setbacks, including a major culvert blowout, timber thinning in the area, and more inspections required by the Forest Service because of the delays, the long planned dream of having our own place to camp with horses and to have direct access to the river and trail finally became reality in 2017, with a trail from Joe Creek Pit, now Rendezvous Camp. The 8 mile Rendezvous Loop was opened up in 2021.

Directions to Rendezvous Camp and Trailhead

1. Travel US Highway 101 to Forest Highway 22/Donkey Creek Road, 25 miles north of Aberdeen and 85 miles south of Forks.
2. Turn east and travel 8 miles to the junction of Forest Road #2204.
3. Turn left and travel 3 miles to Forest Rd #2208 (there is a sign saying “Pavement Ends” there too).
4. Turn right and follow 2208 for approximately 5 miles.
5. Take the only left turn onto Forest Road 040 (there is no sign yet). It is right before a big hill. Do NOT go up that hill!
6. Camping is about ½ mile at the end of the road.

Rendezvous Camp Notes: There are no amenities at this retired gravel pit — you must be self-contained and have water for stock and yourself. It is approximately one mile down to the river for stock water. Some trees are available for highlining or bring portable corrals. There is lots of parking and is an easy drive from the highway.

NOTE: The 2208 road and campground/trailhead are not shown on Forest Service maps.

Other Trailheads

There are four other stock accessible trailheads along this one-way trail/river. See the USFS trail map for locations.

The Schafer Grade

At this time, the area is open to the public for non-motorized use with free, no-permit parking allowed outside of the gates. View Green Diamond Map (PDF)

Located in the southern end of historic Olympic Peninsula logging country, the Grays Harbor Chapter, thanks to being part of BCH of Washington with their insurance, has been leasing 4,722 acres of timberland from Green Diamond Resources since 2018. Known as the Schafer Grade, with this lease, we have been allowed to put in trails, have our own locks and keys for the gates, and to camp. There are now approximately 30 miles of trails built by horsemen with horses and mules in mind.

The Schafer Grade offers scenic forest riding through working timberland. The trails wind through various stages of forest growth, offering open views and shaded stretches. There are views of the Olympics, along with access to the Canyon River and Halsey Creek. This is a great area for riders of all skill levels.

Through the center of the property are two old railroad grades — the Schafer Grade, now a main logging road, and an even older railroad grade that is now a trail and the heart of our trail system. Built in the early 1900s by the Schafer Brothers Logging Company, steam trains were originally used to haul logs from the woods to the towns of Shelton and Montesano for shipping and milling.

There are two old train trestles on the property too. While fascinating to see, neither are safe for anything but photos and remembering history anymore. The property was later sold to Simpson Timber Company in 1955 and then Green Diamond Resources took over the timberlands. They are now harvesting the fourth and fifth crops from these lands. And where steam trains once traveled, now there are horses.

Directions to Schafer Grade

Coming from the East / Elma

1. Get off Highway 12 at the Fourth/4th Avenue Exit (by Highline Homes).
2. Go to the stop sign on Monte-Elma Rd./Old Hwy 410.
3. Turn left. Cross the railroad tracks and go to the East Satsop Road.
4. Take a right.
5. Follow the East Satsop Road approximately 9+ miles, staying left at the intersection.
6. Go through beautiful Schafer State Park to the next stop sign on Matlock-Brady Road.
7. Turn right. Follow it for approximately 2.25 miles to Boundary Road.
8. Turn left on Boundary Road and continue to Kelley Road.
9. Turn left on Kelley Road, cross the bridge and go 0.09 of a mile.
10. You will pass one logging gate. Take the first road to the left and follow it for 0.01 mile.
11. The gate is on your left.

Coming from the West / Montesano

1. Get off Highway 12 at the Brady Exit.
2. Go to the 4-way intersection on Monte-Elma Rd./Old Hwy 410.
3. Continue straight on Middle Satsop Rd. for approximately 10 miles to West Boundary Rd.
4. Turn left on West Boundary Rd. and continue to Kelley Road.
5. Turn left on Kelley Road, cross the bridge and go 0.09 of a mile.
6. You will pass one logging gate. Take the first road to the left and follow it for 0.01 mile.
7. The gate is on your left.

From Matlock

(Matlock is located approx. 24 miles from Highway 101 on the Shelton–Matlock Road.)

1. Continue southwest past the grocery store on the Matlock-Deckerville Rd for 1 mile.
2. Take a right on W Deckerville Rd.
3. Go 4.5 miles (road changes name to Boundary Rd.) to Kelley Road and take a right.
4. Cross the bridge and go 0.09 of a mile.
5. You will pass one logging gate. Take the first road to the left and follow it for 0.01 mile.
6. The gate is on your left.

Trail Work

Each year our members volunteer to clear downed trees, maintain tread, clean water bars, and keep trails passable for all users. Our work benefits not only equestrians but hikers and other back country travelers.

Interested in joining a work party? Come to a monthly meeting to learn about upcoming trail work days, or check our calendar for scheduled projects.

Leave No Trace

We practice and promote the seven principles of Leave No Trace for equestrian back country use:

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors