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Quinault National Recreation Trails — Saturday, Jun. 9, 2018

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Quinault Lodge

As stated in this description, there are several trails you can take here. Mostly less than 2miles. Which is awesome for beginners, or larger group parties (we were part of the latter). People can get back to the road if they want, or continue to other trails. All are relatively close to the lake, which is beauty unto itself. The "waterfalls" in this area are not that grand, save maybe for the Merriman Falls, which actually feels like a true waterfall. It is also a drive up the road from these here mentioned.

Driving into Lake Quinault is mostly a one-direction road, so when you lose reception, don't worry about getting lost with wrong turns. The first main site (sans camping grounds and the like) is the Quinault Lodge, a beautiful, warm, quaint establishment with guides to the surrounding area and some of the best views of the Lake. 

Following that, are several trails, as listed above, including the Cascade Falls (hardly deemed a waterfall, but more like a cascading creek, at least in June) and Gatton Creek Falls. Warning about Gatton Creek, the falls here can only be viewed from a far off distance. Continuing further after you first see the falls, will take you in a different direction to above the falls, but where you can no longer see the falls ever again. Still beautiful brush the whole way.

If you continuing driving the same direction, you will start leaving the lake shores and near the next campground is the Largest Sitka Spruce in the world. It is a cool stop, with a heigh over 190 feet and 52 feet in circumference. 

There are two falls that you can view from the side of the road as you continue driving further - Merriman Falls and Bunch Creek Falls. You can climb both of them, though Merriman is much easier to see from the side of the road. They are both marked by guard rails, about 3-5mi apart from each other. If you hit complete gravel unpaved road that is "technically one-way traffic," you have missed Bunch Creek (as we did) and are heading to the hike entrance for Pony Bridge that is about another 10miles ahead of you. The views of the river along the way are beautiful however, so definitely don't miss checking that out. It is quite a peaceful drive. We were hailed on, ha, so did NOT start hiking at 5pm to do the 5miles of Pony Bridge, even though I've heard amazing things. The hike is about 2.5-3.5 hours, and even with the extended daylight, did not want to risk it and not getting home until 1am. 

On Cascade Falls Trail
Largest Spruce
Merriman Falls
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