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Sol Duc Hot Springs and Lake Crescent
click on photos to enlarge
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| Tumbling Sol Duc Falls |
One of the favorite places to camp on the Olympic peninsula,
Sol Duc Campground in the Olympic mountains.
Arrive late in the evening, and luckily find a available campsite
in the forested campground next to the Sol Duc river.
Next morning we are awoken by the shrill whistling of thrushes
in the old growth trees. A hearty breakfast prepared in the westy,
and we are ready to go on a hike to the Sol Duc Falls.
The trail winds through stands of 200 foot tall Douglas Fir,
and crosses creeks and rivers, eventually arriving at the
tumbling Sol Duc Falls.
Afternoon lunch in the westy, and then take the short walk
to the hot springs, soaking up the minerals.
There are three hot pools of varying temperatures,
and one large swimming pool.
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| In the early morning, hot springs and restaurant. | |
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| The three hot mineral baths and large swimming pool. | |
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| Sol Duc campground, a 10 minute walk to the spa. | |
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| Log bridge crossing a creek on Sol Duc Falls trail. | |
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| Trail through the moss green forest. | |
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Another view of the Sol Duc Falls. |
Next day drive the road that twists and bends along the shores of the
10 mile long Lake Crescent, a glacier-carved deep freshwater lake.
A stop at the historic lodge, little changed since it was built in 1915.
President Franklin Roosevelt stayed at the lodge in 1937 when he
decided to create the Olympic National Park.
The sun is reflecting on the turquoise lake, and it's quite pastoral.
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| Romantic Lake Crescent Lodge. |
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In the afternoon, we head west on Hwy 101, and
next stop is the Hoh Rain Forest.
Click to go to the Rain Forest