One of the most popular things to do in Olympic National Park is hike to Sol Duc Falls. We picked a morning mid week before the summer crowds to check this out. It’s worth it. The name Sol Duc comes from a Native American word meaning “sparkling water” or “magic waters”. The latter is a more accurate translation from the Quillayute word that comes from a legend about two dragons who fought to a draw and were sealed in caverns:
Quillayute Legend
“Once there were two dragons. One lived in the Sol Duc Valley and the other lived in the Elwha Valley. Neither dragon knew of the other’s existence. One day they were both out exploring the forest when they came face to face on top of the ridge separating the Elwha and Sol Duc Valleys. They exploded with anger as each accused the other of invading its territory.
“The fight was brutal as the dragons thrashed and ripped at each other to win back their territory. After years of fighting and clawing at each other, they grew frustrated. Their strength was evenly matched and neither could win. The dragons both admitted defeat and crawled back to caves in their respective valleys and are still crying over being defeated. The dragons’ hot tears are the source of the hot springs in the Elwha and Sol Duc Valleys.”
Our Hike
Now, if you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you know how many waterfalls we have seen. Sol Duc Falls is unique. There were actually 4 chutes when we were there and it was pretty cool to stand on the bridge and get the blow back. Really pretty place. The hike from the lot to the falls is pretty popular and a little less than 2 miles round trip. If you want more, try the loop that adds on Lover’s Lane and B Loop. That one is about 7 miles.
After leaving the falls on Lovers Lane Trail you enter heavy forest with towering Douglas-firs, hemlocks, and a few Sitka spruce. After a few days of rain, this section was muddy with some bridge crossings and even another waterfall! You don’t have great views of the Sol Duc River down below but you can hear it and eventually you do come to it. At the farthest extent of the trail you get to the hot springs and the campground. This loop actually has you hiking through the campground and then connecting with my least favorite part of the hike. There is some blowdown and it’s a bit overgrown and just not as interesting.
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