I'm planning a short one- or two-day trip to Olympic at the end of August. I am looking for suggestions on specific trails to hike. I'd really like to photograph small rivers/streams and waterfalls. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
I may also get out to the coastal section of the park if all goes well.
Thank you for any input you can provide!
Libbie
Posted by Tomas Kaspar on August 8, 2006 at 3:07 PM
Sol Duc Falls would be one for streams and falls, and easy for a one day trip. If you have two days the second day you could go down to Quinalt lake and on the south side you will find many trails and many streams and falls relatively close to the road.
Tomas
Posted by Harald Rust on August 8, 2006 at 4:05 PM
I second what Tomas suggested, the hike to Sol Duc Falls would be one of the more promising spots for a one day trip. There are also great hot springs at Sol Duc for relaxation after the hike.
Harald
From Port Angeles, head into the park on the Hurricane Ridge Road. At about 5 miles you'll come to Heart O' The Hills campground. Pull into the campground. At the end of one of the loops ( I don't remember which) is the Lake Creek Trail.
On the way to Sol Duc from Port Angeles you'll pass by the Elwha entrance to the park. Follow the Elwha road to the entrance station and park at the small parking lot. A short, paved trail leads to Madison Falls.
Continuing on Hwy 101 you'll come to Lake Crescent. Many spots here to photograph. Park near the Storm King Ranger Station and follow the Barnes Creek trail towards Marymere Falls. There's some good forest and stream stuff along there. Marymere Falls is a little tough as it will be crowded. There are two viewpoints, one from below and one from above. At the lower viewpoint your best bet is to try to make your way down to stream level rather than contend with all the other visitors.
Near the west end of Lake Crescent is a large pullout next to a tree covered point (it's called Mendhip point but it's not named on the map). This is a good spot for panoramic lake shots, especially at sunrise. Just beyond here is the end of the lake at the Fairholm Ganeral Store. I've always enjoyed shooting the canoes here. I'd get there early because by mid morning all the canoes will have been rented.
Along the Sol-Duc road you'll see a number of places for good river shots. One of them is Salmon Cascades. There's another spot that's not marked but there is a pullout and a picnic table.
Hope you get some nice overcast weather or even a little drizzle to help out. But if it's sunny, get to Sol Duc Falls really early before the sun starts creating contrast problems.
Thanks to all three of you! I'll be visiting Sol Duc for sure, if my trip works out as I'm hoping it will. I'll hope for good conditions. Rod, great info - thank you!
Discussion
4 repliesI'm planning a short one- or two-day trip to Olympic at the end of August. I am looking for suggestions on specific trails to hike. I'd really like to photograph small rivers/streams and waterfalls. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
I may also get out to the coastal section of the park if all goes well.
Thank you for any input you can provide!
Libbie
Tomas
Harald
On the way to Sol Duc from Port Angeles you'll pass by the Elwha entrance to the park. Follow the Elwha road to the entrance station and park at the small parking lot. A short, paved trail leads to Madison Falls.
Continuing on Hwy 101 you'll come to Lake Crescent. Many spots here to photograph. Park near the Storm King Ranger Station and follow the Barnes Creek trail towards Marymere Falls. There's some good forest and stream stuff along there. Marymere Falls is a little tough as it will be crowded. There are two viewpoints, one from below and one from above. At the lower viewpoint your best bet is to try to make your way down to stream level rather than contend with all the other visitors.
Near the west end of Lake Crescent is a large pullout next to a tree covered point (it's called Mendhip point but it's not named on the map). This is a good spot for panoramic lake shots, especially at sunrise. Just beyond here is the end of the lake at the Fairholm Ganeral Store. I've always enjoyed shooting the canoes here. I'd get there early because by mid morning all the canoes will have been rented.
Along the Sol-Duc road you'll see a number of places for good river shots. One of them is Salmon Cascades. There's another spot that's not marked but there is a pullout and a picnic table.
Hope you get some nice overcast weather or even a little drizzle to help out. But if it's sunny, get to Sol Duc Falls really early before the sun starts creating contrast problems.