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This is a moderate trail to a large lake enclosed by lush, inviting meadows.


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Map Key

2.8

Miles

4.5

KM

Point to Point

3,544' 1,080 m

High

2,036' 621 m

Low

1,746' 532 m

Up

276' 84 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

55%

Max Grade (29°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Family Friendly This trail's moderate grades and manageable distance make it a viable option for families with children. Connection with the Lover's Lane Trail can provide families with a doable, yet demanding day.

Road to trailhead closes at first snowfall and usually reopens late March - check current road conditions at Olympic National Park website.

Description

The Deer Lake Trail begins at a junction with the Sol Duc River Trail just west of Sol Duc Falls. Take the Deer Lake Trail southwest across the Sol Duc River and past the eastern end of the Lover's Lane Trail. Start the uphill switchbacking up the Canyon Creek drainage. Cross the creek at a bridge and continue the steady consistent uphill hike.

The trail proceeds along the western side of Canyon Creek, contouring up the steep hillside. Finally, the grade eases as you approach footbridge over the outlet of Deer Creek. There is often a lot of water rushing out here, and it's a nice spot to rest. The remainder of the path around the verdant lake is more level and goes past campsites and viewpoints. This is an intriguing place to explore- see if you can find "Fawn Lake," and the nearby network of pretty streams with "potholes" higher up (being careful to stay on established paths of course). The Deer Lake Trail ends at a junction with the High Divide Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Yellow cedar, mountain hemlock, silver fir, huckleberries. Deer.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W with improvements by Tilman Giese and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 10 votes

#8920

Overall
  4.1 from 10 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
30%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#406

in Washington

#8,920

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,976 Since Mar 16, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Sol Duc Falls rages with early summer runoff.
Jun 26, 2017 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls.
Jun 17, 2023 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls
Jun 17, 2023 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls cuts right through age-old rainforest.
Jun 26, 2017 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls. with permission from Dean Goss All Rights Reserved
Mar 30, 2016 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls
Feb 11, 2024 near Forks, WA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 12, 2024
Justin Howard
Howard 5 — 2h 10m
Jul 17, 2023
Randy Turner
Jul 16, 2023
Joe Pellegrini
Sep 13, 2022
Tilman Giese
Sep 5, 2022
Tilman Giese
Jul 2, 2022
brent birsa
Jul 30, 2020
Jessica Joaquin
May 29, 2020
Dan Hanus
Hiking up by Sol Duc falls, glorious!
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