Sol Duc Falls

This is a must-do hike for anyone visiting the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort for a soak in the pools or a longer stay in the cabins. This short, family-friendly walk leaves from the trailhead upriver from the resort and plunges into a verdant and lush Olympic old-growth forest. The wide, well-maintained trail leads through towering western hemlock and Douglas firs to an old Civilan Conservation Corps building known as the Canyon Creek Shelter. When it was built in 1939, the shelter was a brand new project in a brand new "Mount Olympus National Monument." Once you've checked out the shelter, continue on to the falls that rush below. Here the Sol Duc River parts itself in to three or four cascades, depending on the flow. The 50-foot falls slide down into a narrow canyon, creating a stunning view of the whitewater rushing through the lush green forest floor. Between the towering trees, the rushing cascades, and the incredible viewpoints stationed along the trail, this is an ideal spot for photographers. For those backpacking, once you've enjoyed the falls, continue up the Sol Duc River Trail 7.6 miles to the High Divide Trail where alpine lakes and breathtaking views of Mount Olympus will certainly overwhelm you, or continue up the Deer Lake Trail 3.8 miles to Deer Lake.