Hey there Reader,
Welcome back for Part 4, the last in our Last Summer in the PNW series!
Last time, we were up in the mountains at Hurricane Ridge watching the sun set behind Mount Olympus (catch up on Part 3 here!).
This time, we’re exploring two of Olympic’s most beautiful waterfalls: Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls.
Sol Duc Falls: Easy Trail, Beautiful Falls
Sol Duc Falls kept popping up as one of the most recommended stops in Olympic. The hike’s short and easy (1.8-mile out-and-back), and it feels like you’re walking right into old growth rainforest (because you are!).
Even though the hike is short, we ended up spending 2.5 hours on the trail. Most of that time was just watching the falls and taking pictures.
The bridge gives you that postcard-like shot of the 50-foot falls, but if you follow the trail a bit farther, you’ll find a wooden railing with a great side view.
If you're visiting between September and October, make a stop at Salmon Cascades on the drive in. You might catch salmon jumping upstream!
Marymere Falls: A Quiet, Fairytale Hike
Marymere Falls feels distinctly different than Sol Duc Falls. It feels quieter, almost fairytale-like. The trail starts right by Lake Crescent and winds through the trees before crossing a few wooden bridges. This is another short 1.8-mile out-and-back trail.
As you round that last corner you'll see the 90-foot falls through the trees. We stayed a while, just taking it in before heading back to the lake to watch the sun set over Lake Crescent.
What's Next: Exploring Indiana Dunes NP
Both hikes are quick, easy, and definitely worth checking out if you’re exploring the Lake Crescent or Port Angeles side of Olympic National Park. (P.S. These two trails don't allow dogs, so Toby and Lily had to sit this one out. Though, they were comfy back at our Airbnb!)
After this, we’ll be sharing our May visit to Indiana Dunes National Park, where we hiked sand dunes and explored the wetlands.
