This magical Olympic National Forest trail in the Duckabush Recreation Area is just 1.4 miles in length, but it takes you into another world. It leads to a very high woodland waterfall that will captivate photographers and hikers with it’s beauty and thundering power. The 130-foot-tall waterfall spills over the top of the highest ledge, drops, then levels off in a plunge pool, and then hurtles down again to steam and settle down again in the valley below.
This is a great hike for a hot summer day with it’s cool canyon breezes, shade, and spray to cool you. The trail was once a logging road, which has recovered nicely from those days. In spring huge native rhododendrons and tiny umbrella ferns bloom along the shady trail.
The drive out to the trailhead is not too steep but the road may have many deep potholes. Go slow! No toilet or drinking water at the trailhead.
CAUTION: Trail is very narrow and has a steep plunge off one side down to the steep canyon below! Hold on to children’s hands here. Pets on leash only.
For more information and good directions, click on this official park info (PDF)
Also visit the Murhut Falls page on GORP website.
Or at Trails.com: http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGW049-160
hiking
Terrace Loop hike along Dosewallips River in Brinnon
Terrace Loop hike is 1.5 long. This trail begins and ends 100 yards from the Dosewallips Ranger Station on the Dosewallips River trail. The beautiful Dosewallips River is accessible along this 1.5 mile trail.
Side note: Dosewallips Road is washed out and is closed further along the road, approx. 5 miles from the park boundary.
Directions to the Ranger Station and Trailhead: From Brinnon, Drive north on Highway 101 to Dosewallips River Road, number 2610. Turn westward (left) on to Dosewallips River Road and travel 15 miles to the ranger station and trailhead. The last portion of the road is narrow and steep. It may be slippery when wet.
The full Dosewallips River Trail starts at the same place. The full hike is strenuous and is 14 miles long, for a much more advanced outing! More info about the full trail: http://trails.gorp.com/Main-Fork-Dosewallips-6386
Dosewallips State Park is a 425-acre, year-round camping park with saltwater shoreline on Hood Canal and freshwater shoreline on either side of the Dosewallips River. See more information about this amazing place on it’s official web page:
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Dosewallips
“Rocky Brook” Falls in Brinnon
“Rocky Brook” Falls in Brinnon
This is a very easy level walk of about 200 yards that culminates in a spectacular 229′ tall waterfall! A small hydrologic project was installed at the falls in 1986 which supplies water for Brinnon.
Drive HWY 101 North of Brinnon (South of Quilcene) and turn left on the Dosewallips Road. Drive 3 miles west and the walk begins on the right after crossing Rocky Brook Bridge. Park carefully on the left on the far side of the road. Follow the walking trail past the hydro facility to the falls. The address of the hike start is 3000 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon WA. VIEW A MAP.
Please note: The rocks at the base of the falls are mossy and can be exceptionally slippery if wet, so be very careful if you are an off-trail rock-hopper.
Point Whitney Beach and Shellfish Lab
Point Whitney Beach and Shellfish Lab
Enjoy the gorgeous views and stroll the shore at this very pretty and secluded beach. The public tidelands offer oyster and clam gathering and relaxation too!
Located at 1000 Point Whitney Road, Brinnon. (Highway 101 and Bee Mill Road). VIEW A MAP.
US Forest Service, Olympic National Forest
US Forest Service, Olympic National Forest
295142 Highway 101 South
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-2200
TDD (360) 765-2200
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/
The Olympic National Forest is part of an emerald paradise. The Forest is located on the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of Washington State (the Evergreen State). The Olympic Peninsula is a unique geographic province consisting of five major landscape settings: temperate rain forest, rugged mountain terrain, large lowland lakes, cascading rivers, and saltwater beaches.
The Olympic Peninsula features over 2,132,300 acres of public Federal lands for visitors to enjoy. Of this area, over 633,600 acres are managed by the Olympic National Forest, which blankets the foothills of the Olympic Mountains and surrounds much of the Olympic National Park. In addition to the Federal land on the peninsula, there are recreation opportunities offered on state, county and private lands as well.
The US Forest Service is entrusted with 193 million acres of forests and grasslands. They are are dedicated to restore and enhance landscapes, protect and enhance water resources, develop climate change resiliency and help create jobs that will sustain communities.