Hiking
Index | Sightseeing | Area Information | Ecology | Camping | Wilderness Adventures | Additional Images
Staircase | Dosewalips | Heart O' the Hills | Hurricane Ridge | Elwha | Lake Crescent | Sol Duc | Ozette | Mora | Hoh Rain Forest | Kalaloch | Queets | Quinault
Staircase
Staircase Rapids Loop Trail begins across the bridge from the Ranger Station. It passes through heavy virgin forest along the Skokomish River, crosses Staircase Rapids at 1.0 mile and returns to Ranger Station on the east side of the river.
Meadow Loop Trails begin near Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. They offer strolls through a typical subalpine environment, thick with wildflowers in summer. Watch for blacktailed deer (DO NOT FEED!) and listen for the whistle of the Olympic marmot. The trail continues to Klahhane Ridge. Paved meadow trails accessible with assistance.
Griff Creek Trail begins behind the Elwha ranger station and has sections of steep switchbacks. 2.8 miles one way. Overlook at mile 1.8 (strenuous). A number of Elwha trails begin at the end of the Whiskey Bend Road, a narrow gravel road 5 miles south of the Elwha Ranger Station. At 1.5 miles along the Elwha River Trail turn off to the Rica Canyon Trail, dropping 1/2 mile to Krause Bottom near the river. Trout fishing is available. The main Elwha River Trail continues south crossing the interior of the park. One half mile south of Krause Bottom is Humes Ranch, an old homesteading cabin, where you can loop up to main Elwha Trail. Turning north will take you to Goblins Gate. (moderate difficulty) Madison Falls Trail wanders through meadow and forest grove, then follows Madison Creek through a cleft in the mountainside to splendid falls that cascade a hundred feet down basalt cliffs. The trail wanders through a century of pioneer history, commencing near Smith's timber claim and Sweet's Cedarvale Resort, ending at Matteson's mining claim by the falls. 0.1 mile one way. (easy)
Marymere Falls is a spectacular 90' waterfall just one mile from Lake Crescent. The trail leads through old growth forest with flowering plants and mushrooms in season. (Wheelchair: first 3/4 mile to Barnes Creek overlook only. Flat, loose graveled surface). Mount Storm King Trail climbs steeply for 1.7 miles from the Marymere Falls trail to a point on the ridge. Travel beyond that point to the top is over difficult terrain and the trail is not maintained. Good views of Lake Crescent. Pyramid Peak Trail begins on the north shore of the lake and climbs 2600' in 3.5 miles. At the summit is a World War II aircraft spotter station. Good views of Lake Crescent and the Strait of Juan de Fuca enroute. Spruce Railroad Trail connects the North Shore and Lyre River trailheads. Much of this relatively flat 4 miles (each way) trail runs on or adjacent to the World World I Spruce Railway bed and offers excellent Lake Crescent views. It is a designated bike trail. Watch for ticks and poison oak.
Mink Lake Trail begins at the Sol Duc Resort and climbs 1400' in 2.5 miles through dense forest to the lake. Trout fishing. Ancient Groves Nature Trail is a one-half mile loop through an old-growth forest and connects two roadside turnouts. For your safety, return along the loop trail rather than the road.
Second Beach Trail begins on the LaPush road, fourteen miles west of U.S. 101. The trail goes .8 mile to a sandy beach with tidepools and views of sea stacks. Rialto Beach Trail is .1 mile (paved) from the parking lot to a view of the beach, James Island, and Cake Rock. Beach walk 1.5 miles to Hole-in-the-wall.
Nearby is the Spruce Nature Trail, 1.25 miles round trip. Short uneven grades on both trails. Both are excellent examples of rain forests with dense lush vegetation. Elk and deer are sometimes seen in the area. There is also a paved .25 mile mini trail.
Graves Creek Nature Trail begins at Graves Creek campground and is a one mile loop trail through the temperate rain forest.
|
For Additional Information Contact: Olympic
National Park
For more information visit the National Park Service website
|