Bottom Line:
Beautiful early morning hike from our cabin at Lake Crescent. The lake itself is stunning - deep with impossibly-clear blue waters, which can be enjoyed from the small pier opposite Crescent Lake Lodge. The hike through dense rain forest is as interesting as the destination, with huge trees, moss, ferns, streams, bridges and stairs. Winter guarantees good water flow throughout ;)
Stats:
- Distance: 4-1/2 miles
- Duration: 1-3/4 hours
- Vertical: 260 ft; definitely family-friendly
- Road/Parking: Parked at Crescent Lake Lodge where the lodge itself is closed, but select cabins are available during the winter (Roosevelt cabins are lake front and have fireplaces for those rainy winter hikes); multiple large parking lots; not sure if National Park Pass is required (?)
- Weather: Parly sunny, 40Fs, no wind, drippy forest
- Trail: This is a moderate family-friendly trail with a loop at its top end; the trail can be shortened slightly by starting at the Storm King ranger station which has a large parking lot; either way, there are underpasses under Hwy 101, so no traffic exposure. As hiked, the trail started at Crescent Lake with its mesmerizing blue water, and magnolia trees. The trail follows Barnes Creek through a stunning rain forest before merging with Marymere Falls Nature Trail; there are side trails to both Storm King and Barnes Creek for those wanting more of a challenge (although both are likely wet and slippery); there is some storm damage with down trees (some huge, but easy enough to climb over) and muddy spots; there are short stairs up to the Marymere Falls loop, which is best done clockwise; there are barriers at the falls for those with kids. NOTE: Dogs are not permitted on this NP trail
- Takeaway: An easy but beautiful hike through an old-growth forest with amazing biodiversity, lots of flowing water, and bridges and stairs to the small cirque containing 70-foot Marymere Falls; next time, I will continue farther upstream via Barnes Creek trail; the beauty of the rain forest never gets old (this was short, but comparable to Hoh).
The attached 4K video highlights the trail, starting from Lake Crescent Lodge, and the various creeks, bridges and waterfalls along the way.
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