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 winds its way over some dirt and gravel roads. The trail only takes 40 miles to complete with a 3 hour drive. It runs through the eastern part of the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park, the southern part of Sequim Bay, the Olympic National Forest, and Clallam and Jefferson counties. Rest stops are at the Dungeness Forks campground and East Crossing, but the latter had been closed due to a landslide.
Check information on 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 northbound trailhead, take Route North half a mile at the US 101 bridge over the Big Quilcene River. Then turn west to the paved Penny Creek Road. If you’re going south as an alternate trailhead, go 2.5 miles southeast of Sequim, where you’ll then head south from US 101 before continuing onto Palo Alto Road.
Begin the journey 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 towards the river. It then turns west before a northerly curve 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 up US 101 you will have a view of the Big Quilcene River drainage and the glacial peaks of the Buckhorn Wilderness. Continue north on Highway 27 and then you approach a panoramic view of Mt. Baker and the Cascades in the northeast section. The trail then descends towards Deadfall Creek where it meets Highway 28 on the right.
Going straight ahead, take the Northwest 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 will come to Bon Jon Pass where you will 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 road takes you another 7.8 miles to US 101, which then marks the end of this scenic drive.