Hike of the Week: Sol Duc
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| Sol Duc Falls make for an ideal autumn hike |
Sol Duc
You will fall in love with this hike
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
October 12, 2007
Quick Facts
Location: Sol Duc Valley
Land Agency: Olympic National Park
Roundtrip: 5.3 miles
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100; http://www.nps.gov/olym
Green Trails Maps: Seven Lakes Basin/ Mt Olympus Climbing, WA- No 133S
Notes: Dogs Prohibited; National Park Entry Fee required
Access: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west for 29 miles turning left onto the Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. Follow road (passing entrance booth) for 12 miles. Just past the Eagle Ranger Station turn right into the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Parking is located to the far right of the hot springs building.
One of the prettiest waterfalls in all of Washington, Sol Duc especially delights in autumn when nature turns up the water volume and draping maples add a golden touch to the silvery cascade. Sol Duc Falls can easily be reached by hiking .8 mile from the main Sol Duc Parking lot. But why not spend a little more time on the trail by doing this easy and satisfying loop through glorious old-growth forest and along the captivating Sol Duc River?
From the Hot Springs Resort, start by walking over the Sol Duc River Bridge to the trail taking off east. Following alongside the river, the trail first travels through the Resort RV Park, then the Lower Sol Duc Campground. Follow the campground loop road a short distance to pick up the trail again. Emerge at the Upper Campground and once again walk a short distance on pavement to pick up the trail. Now through big timber, saunter 1.3 pleasant and peaceful miles to a junction. The trail left leads a quarter mile to a large parking lot; the beginning of the easy shorter option.
Now on well trodden tread continue for a nearly level half mile. The thundering sound of swiftly moving water announces your arrival at the falls. The best views are from the mist-sprayed bridge; quite inviting on a warm summer’s day-not so much in autumn. The Sol Duc fans into two, crashing 50 feet into a narrow chasm where the sun rarely shines.
After enjoying the spectacle, cross the bridge and climb a small bluff to a junction. Hang right onto the Lovers Lane Trail. But don’t despair; it’s open to all; lovelorn, loveless, and loved alike. In a short distance cross Canyon Creek draining Deer Lake high above. Now follow the peaceful path through lush bottomlands, crossing a couple more crashing tributaries before arriving back to the Resort in 2.8 miles. The smell of the sulfur springs will tell you when you’re close.
Consider a soak in the springs or a restful and quiet night at the resort. If you’re itching to explore more Olympic waterfalls, check out the new “Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail,” an adventurous circuitous route around the Peninsula to falls big and small, remote and easily accessed.
For more information on the new Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail visit
Click here for link to the new trail
