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
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“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.
Wild Rhododendrons in Bloom, May – June
Here in the Pacific Northwest we are very proud of our wild Rhododendrons. They start blooming in May and continue well into June. Our wild rhododendrons are abundant in the forests and along the highways and grow to amazing heights.
To see them, we recommend the local waterfall walks and the Mount Walker overloook point, and a drive along Coyle Road for eye-popping displays of the gorgeous wild blooms along the roadside. To see amazing cultivated varieties, head to Whitney Gardens Nursery in Brinnon!
