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| Salmon Cascades at Sol Duc (ONP) |
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Directions:
From Port Angeles, go 28 mi W on US 101 to Sol Duc River Rd and
signs - 8 mi to Cacade parking area.
 Features:
A short (.1 mi) crushed rock and dirt path leads from Sol Duc Rd
to a wooden platform overlooking the Sol Duc River and small cascades.
Leaping salmon can often be seen in the fall. The river supports
an unusual stock of coho salmon, which begin to return from the
Pacific in late summer (most coho return in the fall). The salmon
must negotiate more than 50 miles of river, rapids and pools to
reach Salmon Cascades before continuing to quieter pools above Sol
Duc Hot Springs. The longest cascade is 70 feet. For a better view
of the river, able body (AB) hikers can follow the path to the left
of the platform.
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Trip Notes:
Sept 21, 2002 - Salmon Cascades turned out
to be the only accessible trail that I could find. It is very
short, but has a nice viewing platform of the cascading Sol
Duc River. I had hoped to see some salmon migrating, but no
such luck the river was very low as the above photo shows.
I imagine it is a very different sight in the Spring.
There is a large, healthy Douglas Fir near
the overlook with gorgeous bark. It is one of those trees
that you can just sit and look at for some time. The trail
makes a small little circle, but you really can't call it
a trail. Quite a few people showed up while I was there.
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Ancient Groves Nature Trail (ONP)
Directions:
From Port Angeles, go 28 mi W on
US 101 to Sol Duc River Rd and follow signs nine miles to Sol Duc
Hot Springs Resort (ONP).
Features:
The Ancient Groves Nature Trail is
a half-mile loop that connects two roadside turnouts. For safety
reasons, you should return along the loop trail rather than hike
the road. The old-growth forest here is considered one of the finest
in the park The trail passes through lowland forest and temperate
rain forest, with Sitka spruce, bigleaf maples, Douglas fir and
western hemlock dominating the landscape. In summer, the forest
is a breeding ground for Townsend's warblers, and dark-eyed juncos
and golden-crowned kinglets can often be seen year-round. At the
halfway point, the trail cuts over a glacial terrace and continues
along a steep bank above the Sol Duc River.
Other Info:
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has hot spring
pools, swimming pool, full hookup RV sites, several rental cabins
and restaurant. Brochures for the nature trail are sometimes available.
Sol Duc Campground (ONP) lies
12 miles east of Highway 101 along the Sol Duc River Road. It consists
of 82 individual and group sites available during season. The individual
camping sites are available on a first come, first served basis,
and the group sites are available by reservation. Amenities at this
facility include drinking water, wheelchair accessible toilets,
garbage removal and an RV dumping station. Each campsite consists
of a picnic table, fire pit and grate.
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Trip Notes:
Sept 21, 2002 - My trip through Sol Duc
Valley looking for accessible trails was rather disappointing.
It was a beautiful day, however, and was nice viewing the
scenery from the pickup.
I thought for sure that this trail was going
to be accessible. However, I didn't even bother getting my
scooter off the pickup. The access to the trail was a small
wooden "bridge" over a ditch with the trail sharply
turning left off it. I knew I could not negotiate the turn
in my scooter without falling into the ditch. I walked down
the trail for about 25 yards. It did not appear to be accessible.
Too bad. Hopefully in the future, all these nature trails
that are right off the road will be made accessible.
I eased my disappointment by reminding myself
that the nearby Lake Crescent Moments in Time trail offered
an old growth experience and was accessible.
 On
the way back through the Sol Duc Valley I pulled off a gated
entrance to an old paved road which parallel the Sol Duc road.
I got off the scooter, lowered my tiller and seat and went
under the gate. I thought I'd follow that road south and at
least get out for awhile. Soon after starting, the road turned
west, leaving the Sol Duc road and went over the Sol Duc river.
I stayed on the bridge for awhile watching six Common Merganzers
in the river nearby. I went a mile or two climbing up the
road to an overlook of the Sol Duc Valley below. I would have
kept going, but my circuit breaker popped once and I did not
know how much more the road would climb or where it would
eventually end.
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Sol Duc Falls Trail (ONP)
 Directions:
From Port Angeles, go 28 mi W on US 101
to Sol Duc River Rd and follow signs nine miles.
Features:
The Sol Duc Trail has two trailheads, but
the shortest approach to Sol Duc Falls is is 0.8 miles from the
end of the Sol Duc River Road, elevation 2,000 feet. The other approach
is from the Sol Duc Campground (1,700 feet). (1.6 miles/2.6 km round-trip
from end of road. No elevation gain). s is one of the largest and
most beautiful waterfalls in Olympic National Park, dramatically
seen from a bridge that crosses the canyon just below the falls.
On the way to the falls you walk through an old-growth forest of
hemlocks and douglas firs. Some of these trees are more than twenty
feet in circumference and three hundred years in age.
The trail to the falls is wide, fairly
level and well gravelled, making it easy to hike through old-growth
forest of Douglas fir. A brochure describing the plants along the
trail is available at the trailhead.
 Hikers
hear Sol Duc Falls before they see it. Just before the trail approaches
the falls, it passes the Canyon Creek shelter, built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps. The shelter is well worth a visit. A one-of-a-kind
structure with a cupola, it's a good place to leave your pack on
a wet day while you hike a bit farther to view the falls.
Here the river drops over a sandstone brim
in three separate falls, then flows furiously through a deep canyon.
A rustic bridge spans the chasm and you will have to shout to be
heard above the roar. Cross the bridge for better views.
Other Info:
Sol Duc Falls is merely the frosting on the cake. There are many
other attractions along the river road and some involve only a short
walk. The road passes through old-growth forest and parallels the
river, making the drive pure pleasure.
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Trip Notes:
Sept 21, 2002 - Sol Duc Falls trail is not
accessible to wheel chair or scooters. I'm leaving the hike
in here because it is a short hike for those that can walk.
It is a very popular hike and the parking
area at the trail head was really full. I took my scooter
to the beginning of the trail and immediately looked down
a rather steep incline and could tell it was not going to
handle my scooter. The description above is misleading ("The
trail to the falls is wide, fairly level and well gravelled,
making it easy to hike through old-growth forest".)
Maybe that is true further down the trail, but you have to
get past the first incline to know for sure.
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Pioneer's Path Nature Trail
Directions:
The Klahowya Campground is located 9 miles
west of Lake Crescent on Hwy 101. At milepost 212, turn north into
Klahowya Campground, 20 miles east of Forks and 33 miles west of
Port Angeles. Trailhead can be found just beyond the boat ramp in
the large campground loop. It is located between sites 45 and 46.
Follow the one-way campground road to the left. Watch for large
trailhead sign.
 Features:
This 0.3 mile easy trail loops through a
stand of second growth fir and hemlock. The trail travels along
the banks of the Soleduck River and then returns to its starting
point providing barrier-free access and features interpretive signs
which explain how pioneers and forest workers carved out a living
during the early years on the Olympic Peninsula. The Sol Duc River,
lush rain forest vegetation, and towering conifers add scenic beauty
to this trail. The trail provides access to a beautiful stand of
hemlock, Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir and bigleaf and vine maples.
The lush understory of rain forest vegetation includes a variety
of ferns, wood sorrel and mosses. There is an overlook of the river
where a short section of trail parallels the Sol Duc River.
Other Info:
The Klahowya Campground has an amphitheatre,
toilets, water, and hand carry boat launch. All pets should be on
a leash as this is a very popular nature trail inside a campground.
Park at the trailhead because a camping fee is required to be parked
in one of the nearby camp units. Small parking lot at trailhead.
Additional parking is available at the adjacent overflow section.
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Trip Notes:
Sept 21, 2002 - I've driven by this campground
so many times, even drove through it, but never tried this
short little trail out.
It is considered accessible and barrier-free
with interpretive signs. There are lots of tall Sitka spruce
and some nice sampling of rain forest vegetation including
some nurse logs. The trail was covered in needles, which is
my favorite type of trail.
I went around the loop once and then did
it again going the other way. It made it into a nice short
trip. There are benches in several spots. One in particular
is a nice nook of moss covered trees - a great spot for sitting
and relaxing.
There is a large blow down about midpoint
on the loop that has the trail turning sharply around a tree
with the downed tree making the turn very narrow. I had a
devil of a time getting around that corner and actually had
to stand up on either side of my scooter to make it. Unless
this blow down is fixed, the trail is not truly accessible
if you can't walk.
The campground is heavily wooded, with a
few spots directly on the river. I actually liked the sites
closer to the trail head since there was larger, older forest
there. At this time of the year, you have your pick. Like
most National Forest campgrounds, there are just a few sites
which will accomodate larger RVs, but they do have an overflow
section that would accomodate just about anything and it is
a very nice setting.
Because it is not in the National Park,
I will do this trail again since I can take my dog. It would
make a nice 1 or 2 day camping trip.
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Symbols
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An agency or a trip evaluation has rated
all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible. |
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There is some terrain greater than a 5%
grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions
of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices. |
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No Dogs are allowed on the trail. |
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