The trail passes through high ridges and deep, greenwood forested valleys that offer grand views of Olympic Mountain and the Cascade Range in the eastern section. The trail has a history of logging activity as it goes along some dirt and gravel roads. The trail only takes 40 miles to complete with a 3 hour drive. It traverses the eastern region of the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park, the southern region of Sequim Bay, the Olympic National Forest, and Clallam and Jefferson counties. Rest stops are at the Dungeness Forks and East Crossing campgrounds, but the latter had been closed due to a landslide.

Check out information for this trail at the Olympic National Forest Hood Canal Ranger District Quilcene Office, where copies of the Quilcene Auto Tour interpretive brochure can be borrowed. For the trailhead going north, take the half mile north route on the US 101 bridge that crosses the Big Quilcene River. Then turn west to the paved Penny Creek Road. If going south as an alternate trailhead, take 2.5 miles southeast to Sequim, where you’ll then head south from US Highway 101 before continuing onto Palo Alto Road.

Begin the trip by exiting on Penny Creek Road past a quarry before a forest where tall trees provide shade for passing vehicles. From US 101, go 1.4 miles along the road where the trail becomes a Y. The right section is Penny Creek Road; however, go straight to the road that leads to Big Quilcene River Road (3057). It then continues into the National Forest on Highway 27 and heads south toward the river. It then turns west before curving north around the Quilcene Range. This section has been replanted with new trees after being cut down for many years and offers a view of the snow-capped Olympic Peaks from a distance.

About 6 miles of US 101 you’ll have a view of the Big Quilcene River drainage and the glacial peaks of the Buckhorn Wilderness. Continue north on Highway 27 and then approach a scenic view of Mt. Baker and the Cascades in the northeast section. The trail then descends into Deadfall Creek where it meets Highway 28 on the right.

Going straight ahead, take the northwesterly route on Highway 28 where you will see stop signs along the Quilcene Auto Tour starting at Lords Lake. Go another 1.3 miles and you’ll come to Bon Jon Pass, where you’ll turn right onto 2810 after Mt. Zion. Then continue on Highway 28 which will take you further onto Palo Alto Road. At this point, the highway takes you another 7.8 miles onto US 101, which then marks the end of this scenic trail.