Hike of the Week: Spruce Trail

A bridge over devilishly beautiful waters

Spruce Railroad Trail

A perfect hike for winter training






by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

February 17, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 8.0 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Access: From Port Angeles follow US 101 west for 17 miles. At Olympic National Park Boundary, turn right (north) onto East Beach Road. Follow this narrow paved road for 3.25 miles. Just past the Log Cabin Resort, turn left (signed for trail) and follow .75 mile to trailhead.
Green Trails Map: Lake Crescent, WA – No. 101
Special Note: Dogs are prohibited.

One of few trails in Olympic National Park that permits mountain bikes, this low country path is also one of the park’s best choices for a mid-winter hike. Nearly level for its entire length, the Spruce Railroad Trail hugs the pristine shoreline of Lake Crescent, one of the largest bodies of water on the Olympic Peninsula.
The trail utilizes part of what was once a 36 mile rail line built during World War I to haul Sitka Spruce to Port Angeles mills. Sitka Spruce was once coveted for airplane manufacturing-Thank God for the advent of aluminum and other alloys. Ironically, the War ended days before the line was completed. The Spruce Railroad however served commercial logging interests for 35 years. In 1981, the National Park Service converted four miles of the rail-bed into trail.
Although it runs close to the shoreline of sparkling and deep Lake Crescent, the trail often remains high above it. Lake views are occasionally obscured by large trees. But where the trail breaks out of the canopy of giant firs and hemlocks and scaly barked madronas, the views across the glimmering waters of Crescent are breath-taking. The most scenic section, Devil’s Point and Punchbowl are only a little over a mile from the trailhead. Cross the punchbowl on a spanning bridge from where you can admire the deep depths of the lake and the lofty emerald peaks and ridges that surround you.
Continue along this peaceful trail pausing to admire more lake views and giant trees that escaped the ax. Beauty is easy to spot along the Spruce Railroad Trail-even for the untrained eye.