97
Beware of: road, trail conditions

2 people found this report helpful

 

The entrance the National Forest where the falls TH is located is closed. There was no additional signage and no parking off the highway that could substitute as a further away trailhead.

1 photo
betterinthewoods
WTA Member
15
  • Wildflowers blooming

1 person found this report helpful

 

Really pretty, short and easy hike. The falls are a fun treat, and walking along the path of the river is nice. Lots of trillium blooming - as tall as my knees! When you park at the gate to the closed campground, go to the left and follow the road through the old campground loop road. It's a loop so it will end up at the trailhead regardless of how you travel it. Just don't turn right after you enter past the gate, as that is the opposite direction of the trailhead.

4 photos

4 people found this report helpful

 

Trail is clear all the way around.  Quick, easy, kid friendly hike.

Decided to do this as a cool down after doing Mount Walker which is near by.  My stats said I did 2 miles and 440 feet of elevation when I did both the canyon loop and the falls view loop.  They are both well marked.  I decided to go clockwise around the canyon loop to do the extra elevation first.  Made the stroll back easier.

Note: lots of steps into the canyon that may make it difficult for some to get back out, but definitely doable by most.

  • Hiked with kids

3 people found this report helpful

 

Nice trail, campground definitely closed and clearly has been for a long time.  Just park by the gate and walk in, head left and you’ll see the trailhead along the campground road.  Trail really well kept given the campground isn’t used anymore. 

Nice views from the overlook trail but I wouldn’t let little ones go off on their own up there.  The fence is not sturdy at all.  The hike down into the canyon and to the river is steep but totally doable both ways.

Nice time!

4 photos
  • Hiked with kids

4 people found this report helpful

 
This was a beautiful day for a hike and a beautiful spot to hike!

It also seemed to be a rather popular spot this was as well, which wasn't surprising given the 50+ degree weather and sun breaks throughout the afternoon.

We arrived and found our way to the trailhead through the campgrounds. After climbing over mounds of gravel I assumed was being staged for future some future use, we took the easy right path first found it lovely. The falls are plenty visible as well as some rapids.

This easy path to the right seems like the perfect path to take if you're simply stopping for a quick shot of the falls on your way up or down 101 to your next destination. 

The left path, however, has you descending along a variety of steep switchbacks that do feel a touch treacherous as you make your way down to the edge of the Big Quilcene River. 

The area near the water at the base of the canyon was a little muddy but the view of the falls was spectacular and the sounds of the rapids and the falls is rather soothing.

We continued along the trail and found the bench mentioned repeatedly in the WTA description. There's a few ascensions and descensions along the way throughout this trail and the bench was as lovely as described to take a quick break before and after the final short loop. In a few spots in the the final loop we were forced to pass other travelers in a way that was a little precarious given the narrowness of the trail and a few steep edges.

Another aspect of this spot being a little busy with only one main trail was having to wait on a couple of occasions for the folks in front of us to move along while they took photos or a small break without a lot of room to pass. 

As is generally the case, everyone was pleasant enough and nearly everyone we encountered exchanged a cordial wave and a "hello".

Climbing up from that leftmost trail definitely gets your heart pumping as you wend your way back and forth back along the switchbacks up the canyon. You definitely feel it, and I'd recommend a good stretch before and after.

Overall this was a fantastic late-Winter hike on the Olympic Peninsula. Though there's not a lot of trail here at this location, it's across from Mt. Walker and there are plenty of other trails nearby if you need to fill up your day, and it's worth not missing this little gem hidden behind an Olympic National Forest Campground.