Lake Crescent

Directions:

This trail is located in Olympic National Park on Lake Crescent's Barnes Point, 20 mi west of Port Angeles on Hwy 101. About four miles from the eastern edge of Lake Crescent, turn right at the Storm King Ranger Station sign (milepost 228).

After exiting Hwy 101, you can start this trail at several locations:

Follow signs to Lake Crescent Lodge and Moments in Time trailhead. There is dedicated parking at the Moments in Time trailhead, but the short connection from the parking lot to the lake is not well maintained and is currently not wheelchair friendly. (See above photo.)

A better option (until the park rectifies this problem) is to park at the Lake Crescent Lodge and follow the paved trail east along the lake (about 1/4 mile) until you reach the Moments in Time trail. (See photo at left.)

You can also park at Storm King Ranger Station and begin the trail from there on the connecting Barnes Point Nature trail. This is a nice option because there are accessible restrooms at the Storm King Ranger Station. It does add 1/3 mile to the distance of the trail.

Features:

The Moments In Time trail is a flat, 1/2-mile loop with several connector trails that give you options to experience Lake Crescent's beautiful Barnes Point. The dirt trail weaves its way through old homestead sites and meadows, along the banks of Crescent Lake, and through old-growth forest. Massive cedars and Douglas firs tower overhead, some with diameters over 35 feet and rising up offer two hundred feet from the forest floor. The interpretive trail has several places to rest.

From the Moments in Time trail you can take a 1/3-mile connector trail to the Storm King Ranger Station Parking lot (Barnes Point Nature trail).

Other Info:

Storm King has an accessible restroom and picnic facilities. Take the paved road down to the boat ramp and docks and view the clear, gradient blues of Crescent Lake with Lizard Head Peak rising up over the lake. Then, car tour the rest of the lake stopping at numerous pullouts along U.S. 101 as it winds around Lake Crescent's southern shoreline. The lake is nine miles long and 624 feet deep, giving it a beautiful blue color. In season, numerous small waterfalls tumble down the steep mountainside, passing under the highway and into Lake Crescent.

Marymere Falls Trail

Directions:

From Port Angeles, go 20 mi W on US 101 and follow signs to Storm King Ranger Station.

Features:

From the Storm King Ranger Station slow walkers can take the popular one-mile trail to spectacular Marymere Falls, which drops 90 feet into Barnes Creek before finding its way to Crescent Lake. The first 3/4 mile to an overlook on Barnes Creek is accessible with assistance on a flat gravel and dirt surface. Unfortunately, the trail continuing to Marymere Falls is not wheelchair accessible as it climbs a steep stairway to the Falls.

The trail starts along the shores of Crescent Lake and descends for a short distance on a fairly steep grade (5-8%) passing through a tunnel under US Highway 101.

On the other side of the tunnel, you must gain the elevation you lost on another short 5-8% grade. After that, the wide trail is mostly flat. For a brief period the trail heads west parallel to noisy Hwy 101 before turning south and into the silence of old-growth forest.

Massive cedars and firs tower overhead with moss-covered bark and branches to remind you that you are in a temperate rain forest. Blow downs invite new growth and nurse trees, surrounded by a variety of ferns, mushrooms and wild flowers (in season).

At about the 3/4-mile mark there is an overlook to Barnes Creek. This makes a good turn-around for wheelchair users. For others who can continue on to the falls, you will cross two foot bridges over Barnes Creek before starting the last 1/8 of a mile on the trail.

After climbing a series of earthen steps, the trail forks, offering an easier climb to the falls or a steeper and more direct route. Slow walkers might opt to take the easier route to Marymere, which also offers the best view of the falls.The easier route follows a gentler uphill grade along Barnes Creek to an observation area at the base of the falls.

Other Info:

Throughout Olympic National Park, no pets are allowed on the trails.

Spruce Railroad Trail at Lake Crescent (ONP)

Directions:

From Port Angeles, go 26 mi W on US 101 and go 5 mi to end of Camp David Jr. Rd.

Features:

Excellent views of Lake Crescent and mountain peaks to south from this trail along the north shore of Lake Crescent. Walking the trail and road combination the full length of Lake Crescent is a five-mile one-way undertaking, mostly on roads. The trail portion is only a couple of miles, perfectly level.

There is good access at both ends of this trail. To get to the east end, go west on Highway 101 from Port Angeles and turn north just before Lake Crescent onto East Beach Road. At 3.3 miles turn left and follow the signs to the Spruce Railroad Trail. To get to the west end, drive on Highway 101 past Lake Crescent and turn north on Camp David Jr. Road, the first road past the end of the lake. Stay left at the "Y" and go 4.9 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead.

The vegetation along the trail is not representative of the Olympic Peninsula. Because of the low elevation (580 feet), and being in a rain shadow, parts of the trail are open forest with a different microclimate. There are species uncommon to the Olympics, including poison oak and madrone trees. This area is notorious for ticks!

The west end of the trail starts at the east end of a National Park Service parking area and goes up a short gravel path to the warning signs about poison oak and ticks. At both trailheads you'll find an informative brochure made available by the Pacific Northwest National Parks and Forests Association describing the history of the railroad with some excellent photographs.

At mile 1.0 the trail bypasses the 460-foot McFee Tunnel and drops down to the lake. There the National Park Service has built a steel-and-wood bridge across a short cliff area. The lake is so clear that you can see more than 40 feet down into the light-blue waters. The lake is known for this clear water and its depth. Across the lake to the south you can hear the rumbling logging trucks and see the Lake Crescent lodge. There is also an occasional motorboat.

The trail follows the old railway grade except where it passed through two tunnels. Generally the grade is wide, hard-packed dirt, showing the volume of use the trail receives. Be careful while circumventing the tunnels since the trail becomes more difficult, steep, and narrow.

Although the trail stops at the west end where Camp David Jr. Road ends, the railroad grade does not. Abandoned in 1954, the grade itself is in excellent shape and ready for continued use. It is hoped that someday this part of the Olympic Discovery trail will continue farther west to Forks and perhaps east to Port Angeles and the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail.

The trail has two main scenic points: Harrington Point, which is .8 miles into the trail, and Devils Point, only .3 miles past Harrington Point. At Harrington Point you will find a picnic table plus sweeping views of Lake Crescent. Harrington Point is not marked on the trail, but a trail does lead to it. Ahead is Devils Point and the Devils Punch Bowl. A small climb and descent occurs before you reach this popular swimming spot, but Devils Point is well worth the extra effort. The Devil's Punch bowl at Devils Point is rumored to be almost 300 feet in depth, but has never been measured. Ample large rocks lay along the trail which are large enough to spread your lunch out and take in the view of Mt. Storm King. Devil's Point is a good turn around spot. The trail continues for another 2.9 miles through lush forest and Pacific Madronas. Aurora Ridge can be seen, along with Barnes Point at Lake Crescent Lodge. The trail ends at Camp David Jr. road.

Other Info:

First 100 ft of trail from parking area leading up to trail on old railroad grade is steep and requires assistance.