The Olympic National Forest’s Buckhorn Wilderness is located in the northeast portion of the park. It’s quiet and remote, and it also happens to be the site of an old B-17 crash from 1952… oh, and there’s an old abandoned mine you can check out as well. Let’s take a closer look at The Tubal Cain plane crash, one of the most intriguing disasters in Washington:

To find the abandoned plane and mine, you'll have to find the Tubal Cain Trail.
Tim Todd / alltrails.com
While the entire Tubal Cain Trail is over 18 miles in length, you'll want the shorter portion of the trail which is Trail #840 near Sequim.
The trail can be a bit challenging, so make sure you're an experienced hiker (or you go with one).
Christina Bonine / alltrails.com
The trail is about 7.2 miles round-trip.
You'll walk through a trail lined with thickets of rhododendron, followed by a mountainside path...
Andrea Urrutia / alltrails.com
... and eventually, you'll come to the remnants of the Tubal Cain Mine.
Wikipedia
This abandoned copper mine is named after Tubal-Cain, a character mentioned in the Bible. It was active from 1902 until the early 1920s, although a huge avalanche in 1912 started its decline.
But that's not all you'll find. Soon, you'll stumble upon the wreckage of a plane crash from 1952.
Hannah McCauley / alltrails.com
In January of that year, a search-and-rescue B-17 was returning to McChord Air Force Base after assisting with a rescue mission in Canada. The plane was passing over the Olympic Mountains when it clipped a ridge and skidded down a steep, snowy slope, killing 3 of the 8 passengers onboard. The remaining 5 were rescued the next day after building emergency shelters to rest in overnight.
As tragic as that was, visiting the site of the crash is fascinating.
Hannah McCauley / alltrails.com
As you look around, you can't help but think of the terrific force that scattered hundreds of pounds of metal into the forest.
This hike is the perfect combination of natural beauty and history.
Terri Sue Potter / alltrails.com
The trail is open all year long, but you'll want to make the hike soon if you want to beat the cold weather and snow.

Follow along on a hike to the Tubal Cain trail plane crash:

What are your thoughts on the Tubal Cain plane crash trail in Washington? Let us know in the comments. Hiking and history combine well on this challenging trail. And once you’ve checked this one off your bucket list, check out one of the most amazing hiking trails in Washington.

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More to Explore

The Creepiest Places in Washington

William Suphan | January 28, 2023

What are the most abandoned places in Washington?

The most abandoned places in Washington include:

  • The Cowlitz Motel and RV Park. This old resort off the I-5 used to have camping, golfing, whitewater paddling, fishing, and more, and is now overgrown.
  • Northern State Mental Hospital. While some of the buildings are used by the Job Corps, the majority are decaying ruins.
  • The Homestead Locaters Office. This place once helped a huge influx of immigrants find places to live at the turn of the 20th century. 
  • Ruby Mine & Mill. Located in the ghost town of Nighthawk, this decaying mill is still mostly intact while nature reclaims it.

Find out more about the most abandoned places in Washington. 

What are the creepiest ghost towns in Washington?

The creepiest ghost towns in Washington include:

  • Melmont. This was a town founded in 1900 that supported the Northern Pacific Railway but was abandoned when trains went from steam to diesel and electric.
  • Govan. This was a ranching community in the 1800s that dwindled as farming declined in the area and the remains of a schoolhouse still stand.
  • Bodie. Once a mining town in 1888, falling gold prices caused the town to become gradually abandoned by 1934.
  • Sherman. This was an agricultural town in the late 1800s that was emptied due to falling wheat prices and newer infrastructure.

Discover more about the creepiest ghost towns in Washington. 

What are the most haunted places in Washington?

The most haunted places in Washington include:

  • Tacoma Old City Hall. It is said that break-in and fire alarms randomly go off and lights flicker here but no one is to be found.
  • Hotel de Haro. This old hotel was built in 1886 and locals report a female apparition roaming the halls and a ghost family sitting at a table.
  • Mount Baker Theatre. Located in Bellingham, this theater opened in 1927, and reports of cold air, balls of light, and other phenomena are common.
  • Lewis County Historical Museum. It is said that the voices of Native American spirits are heard here as well as ghost sightings.

Learn more about the most haunted places in Washington. 

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