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Wonderful views, a waterfall and lovely lakes await you on this trail.


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Map Key

8.2

Miles

13.1

KM

80%

Runnable

5,064' 1,544 m

High

1,865' 569 m

Low

3,529' 1,076 m

Up

364' 111 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

47%

Max Grade (25°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Description

From the Sol Duc trailhead, the wide Sol Duc River Trail starts out nearly flat and increases in steepness the further you travel up this beautiful river valley. First pass the junction of Deer Lake Trail and continue straight towards the Canyon Creek shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You'll run through old growth Douglas fir forest and hear the cascading, 3-tiered Sol Duc Falls before you see it. The sun does not often penetrate the forest here and the spray can make it downright chilly.

Continue along the valley bottom over mellow terrain until the intersection with the Appleton Pass Trail, after which the grade increases noticeably. Leave the Sol Duc River valley and climb steep switchbacks up the hillside next to Bridge Creek. The dense forest gradually gives way to enchanting meadows which, in turn, eventually become wide open fields with expansive views of the surrounding mountains.

The trail passes a small waterfall at the outlet of romantic Heart Lake. Contour around the east side of Heart Lake and envy the lucky folks who are camping in this idyllic spot. The Sol Duc River Trail ends at a junction with High Divide Trail (this junction is shown next to the lake on some maps, at the ridge on others).

Note: higher elevations usually melt out in early to mid-July and become unusable again by October.

Flora & Fauna

Bear, elk, deer, and mountain goat

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W with improvements by Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 12 votes

#7673

Overall
  4.2 from 12 votes
5 Star
42%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#326

in Washington

#7,673

Overall
3 Views Last Month
6,587 Since Mar 16, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

11%
0%
78%
11%
0%
0%

Photos

Different angle of Sol Duc Falls, from the top
May 17, 2019 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls
May 17, 2019 near Forks, WA
Sol Duc Falls rages with early summer runoff.
Jun 26, 2017 near Forks, WA
Small waterfall flowing from Heart Lake
Feb 25, 2015 near Port An…, WA
Heart Lake
Feb 3, 2020 near Port An…, WA
One last look of High Divide
Feb 25, 2015 near Port An…, WA

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