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This is a must-do hike for anyone visiting the area.


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Map Key

5.3

Miles

8.6

KM

Out and Back

2,044' 623 m

High

1,692' 516 m

Low

453' 138 m

Up

452' 138 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Waterfall

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

Overview

This short, family-friendly hike 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 Civilian Conservation Corps building known as the Canyon Creek Shelter. Route submitted by Halvor Tweto.

Description

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.

History & Background

When it was built in 1939, the shelter was a brand new project in a brand new "Mount Olympus National Monument."

Shared By:

Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Maura Treaccar

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#4296

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  4.0 from 2 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#263

in Washington

#4,296

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Photos

Sol Duc Falls
May 17, 2019 near Forks, WA
Different angle of Sol Duc Falls, from the top
May 17, 2019 near Forks, WA
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

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 22 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 23, 2024
Tessa Vande Velden
With Carter
Aug 12, 2024
Anonymous
Jul 18, 2024
Jeanne Uehling
Hiked 2016
Jul 18, 2024
Rachel Affleck
Jun 14, 2024
Tim Rowland
3.3mi — 2h 00m
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