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
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We were here a week ago Friday. The trail is still in excellent condition and the falls and creek we...
We were here a week ago Friday. The trail is still in excellent condition and the falls and creek were much more full and beautiful today !
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This trail is in excellent shape! We had rain the entire time, but this adds to the beauty of the fa...
This trail is in excellent shape! We had rain the entire time, but this adds to the beauty of the falls! The 1.6 miles round trip with only 250 feet of elevation gain is a good "starter" hike for a week-end of hiking!
Murhut Falls
— Nov 22, 2009
— KMFS
Day hike
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After an easy walk up a well-maintained trail (my nine year old nearly ran the whole thing!), we wer...
After an easy walk up a well-maintained trail (my nine year old nearly ran the whole thing!), we were treated to a perfect view of the falls. We were unable to get behind the falls as the falls were a little more ferocious than previous reports describe, but the overlook provides an excellent view. Cap this off with a beautiful drive through the forest to get to the trailhead and it is well worth it!
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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Snow on FS Rd. 2510 past Ranger Hole to Murhut turn off, but we did fine in our low clearance s...
Snow on FS Rd. 2510 past Ranger Hole to Murhut turn off, but we did fine in our low clearance sedan. A few blow downs in road but none impassable.
The trail was in good shape, a little snow and a hemlock blown across the trail. Great short hike, allow extra time for scrambling up the far side to the upper falls. Don't forget your rain gear though, a bit on the damp side up top. Really great alcove behind the upper falls if you're up for slippery rocks. The wood debris in and around the river were quite impressive, as was the dripping moss in a chute just to the right. We were planning to take the short hike to Ranger Hole as well, but work crews were there today and we decided to skip it. Day hike
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The TH is on FS Road 2530 about 1 1/2 miles from the Duckabush TH. Road 2510 at Collins CG becomes p...
The TH is on FS Road 2530 about 1 1/2 miles from the Duckabush TH. Road 2510 at Collins CG becomes passable only by a medium to high clearance vehicle because of the compact snow and ice in the road. 2530 has very little snow, but is steep and icey in places so one needs good traction tires. The trail is clear with only traces of remaining snow. It is .8 miles to the falls viewpoint. This is a beautiful creek and falls.
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![]() Murhut Falls. Photo by Lance McCoy.
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