Murhut Falls
This short and easy trail in the Hood Canal Ranger District on the east side of the Olympics takes hikers to a relatively unknown waterfall.
If no pain no gain is your mantra, you might want to skip this trail. But if you like a short trail that delivers its reward - a captivating 130-foot plunging waterfall - in just under a mile, then this hike is for you. What is more, you’ll hardly break a sweat in the easy climb of 250 feet elevation gain to reach the tiered falls. And amazingly, you'll probably not have to put up with many other hikers along the way, as the trail is still relatively unknown. The well-maintained trail Murhut Falls Trail begins with a gradual ascent, then flattens out before the final steep ascent to your 1050-foot destination. This is Pacific Rhododendron country, so if you hike this trail in spring you’ll find yourself surrounded by pink bursts of bloom splashed against the surrounding green forest. You may or may not notice that the trail was converted from an old logging road—hence the easy, well-smoothed tread. The roar of the falls will be with you for the final stretch of trail as you descend into the hidden ravine that shelters the tiered falls. Take a rest to enjoy the powerful force of the waterfall as it pitches itself into the narrow ravine. Exercise caution and hold small hands in the final stretch where the trail narrows and there is a dropoff to one side. If you like a lot of bang for very little buck, this trail is definitely for you and makes a wonderful family outing.
Driving Directions:
The hike is in the Duckabush Recreation Area between Shelton and Quilcene on Hwy 101 on the Olympic Peninsula. From US 101 south of Quilcene, turn west at milepost 310 onto Duckabush Road. Drive 6.3 miles. You will pass the Collins Creek Campground and go over the Duckabush River Bridge. Bear right at the road junction, signed Murhut Falls Trail. The 1.3 miles remaining on gravel road takes you to the trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
42
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Murhut Falls
— Mar 06, 2012
— parrot person
Day hike
Issues:
Road to trailhead inaccessible
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
I cannot submit a report to cover my hike, because I could not get to the trail. The road up is icy...
I cannot submit a report to cover my hike, because I could not get to the trail. The road up is icy and my SUV got stuck twice; once on the way up and once trying to turn around. I thought I would be spending the night in the sub-zero woods with no one around. Note I have a late model SUV in perfect condition, and relatively new tires. I was spinning off the road on an icy patch on an uphill windy portion of the road, and then I had to back down until I found a place to turn around, and almost got stuck there to. My engine light turned on and I had to shut off the car several times, dig around the tires with a shovel, etc. VERY scary. Despite the fact that today was quite sunny and nice, and the road was open with no warnings.
I would never try coming back here except in summer. Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The road to Murhut Falls is in great shape. There is a little bit of snow, but it is easily passibl...
The road to Murhut Falls is in great shape. There is a little bit of snow, but it is easily passible by a standard passenger car.
The trail is also in great shape. The waterfall is quite impressive considering how little work is required to get to it. Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Considering the conditions around our place SW of Olympia, I was astounded to find both the Murhut F...
Considering the conditions around our place SW of Olympia, I was astounded to find both the Murhut Falls and Ranger Hole trails unscathed by the storms. I brought my work gloves to clear off branches and limbs but had very little to do. What a shame! Forced to traipse along unhindered through lush, fresh-washed woods accompanied by early thrush song and moss-filtered sunlight. These are two of my favorite winter trails as they plunge immediately into quintessential Olympics of big trees, copious moss and lichen, and frothing green rivers.
Murhut Falls has some snow on the road to trailhead (4WD was appreciated) and a little on the trail but no need for traction devices on either and mostly bare. We had the trail to ourselves on a Sunday afternoon. The Duckabush River Road is plowed and paved to the trailhead. What little snow there was on the way to Ranger Hole melted to nearly nothing in the three days I was there. As astounding as the lack of storm damage on this trail is the quantity and quality of work done since I was here in December, courtesy of the Mt. Rose Trail Crew. My photos highlight some of the amazing drainage and tread restoration accomplished by these hearty men, some of whom also volunteer with WTA. Among other work, they dug drainage channels, fortified them with rocks, and filled the trail with gravel quarried from the woods bucket by bucket. Thank you so much!!!!! Photos at: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/. Click the thumbnail to see the whole photo. If you want to see some real storm damage, go to "sets" and look at Snowpocalypse 2012! Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
To reach the TH drive the Duckabush River Road 6.3 miles and turn right at a junction signed Murhut ...
To reach the TH drive the Duckabush River Road 6.3 miles and turn right at a junction signed Murhut Falls Trail. The TH is 1.3 miles from the junction with parking available on the left side. The trail is in excellent condition and climbs 250 feet before dropping about 50 feet to the beautiful creek and falls at .8 miles from the TH. The sound of the falls and creek can be heard as you approach the view point.
Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
My brother went missing Jan 3/4 at midnight and he has a preference for hiking in the Olympic Mounta...
My brother went missing Jan 3/4 at midnight and he has a preference for hiking in the Olympic Mountains. He dissapeared around Poulsbo WA. HE DID NOT GO MISSING IN THE MOUNTAINS. He has a fondness for the Olympic Mountains and may be heading in that direction. He tends to hike on the east side of the Olympics. He is usually fond of service roads and will go off road at any point. As far as I know he is unprepared for staying outside in the weather, but he is resourceful.
I just need to post something so that if anybody is in the area they could please keep an eye out for him. The entire family misses him and wants him to come home. Thank you for putting up with me. |
 Murhut Falls. Photo by Lance McCoy.
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
