Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington

2013.09.07

The Sol Duc is one of the major rivers of the Olympic Peninsula, well-known to tourists for the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Sol Duc Falls.  Previously rendered as Soleduck, the name derives from the Quileute language and is said to mean “sparkling waters”.

The trail to Sol Duc falls is about 8/10ths of a mile each way, with around 200 feet of elevation change.  The trail crosses several small streams before coming to a bridge over the Sol Duc just ahead of the falls, then extends a little further along the upper river.

Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Trail to Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington

The falls are distinctive for suddenly plunging “sideways” relative to the main direction of the river, in three separate cascades.

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington