Mount William Fairchild

getting there

Elwha River

Drive US-101 to 8.5 miles west of Port Angeles, Milepost 240 and just before the Elwha River Bridge, turn left (south) onto Olympic Hot Springs Road. Drive 4.4 miles, turn right into the Altair Campground, and continue 0.3 mile to the trailhead (425 ft). If the campground is closed park outside along the road being sure to not block the gate.

High Divide/sol duc

From US-101 turn into the Sol Duc Hot Spring Road and continue 14 miles to the parking lot at it's end (2,000 ft).

approach & ascent

Mount Fairchild (6,950 ft) via Elwha River

From Route 1 in Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide hike along the west side of the Elwha River, where Lake Mills existed before the dam was removed.  Then ascend 5,000 feet through brush, downed logs, open forest, and rocky ridges to the summit of Mount Fitzhenry.  From here descend and traverse to the base of the north glacier below Fairchild and ascend the glacier remnant to the summit of Mount Fairchild. 

Mount Carrie (6,995 ft) & Mount Fairchild (6,950 ft) via High Divide

If you plan to climb this route, please use the Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide route/place. Route 2 in Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide describes heading northeast from the summit of Mount Carrie down the Carrie Glacier, circling round to the north of Mount Fairchild and ascending the Southwest Ridge of Mount Fairchild.

• Suitable Activities: Climbing
• Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
• Seasons: May, June, July, August
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
• Length: 24.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 8,000 ft
• High Point: 6,950 ft

• Land Manager: Olympic National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12