 |
| People everywhere! |
With the last four days spent either working on the RV's new suspension job or waiting out rain, we got the 'partly cloudy and 70' weather forcast and decided to go to Sol Duc Hot Springs and see what there was to see yesterday. This is part of Olympic National Park but was not on our radar to do. We have seen enough hot springs to say, been there done that, but what the heck. Let's do it. Drove past Lake Crescent again to the entrance to Sol Duc Valley. Sol Duc is a Quillette Indian name for 'sparkling waters' for the hot springs found there and for the glacier Sol Duc River that cascades down from the mountain top.
 |
| Trees hanging over trail |
In the past there was a Hot Springs lodge where travelers would come by boat from Seattle to Port Crescent, then to cars overland to the north side of Lake Crescent where they boarded a paddle boat to the south side of the lake. Then take Stanley Steamers to the hot springs resort. Took about 14 hours to get there. Today it would be a two hour drive from Seattle. Lodge burnt down in 1916, rebuilt, then fell into bad times and closed in the 70's, and now a private company runs it which is four different hot springs pools, very warm wading pools to a natural cool water swimming pool. Small rental cabins dot the perimeter, a small lodge, restaurant, and a campground are today's big attraction. Dipping into the hot spring pools did not interest us, just stepped into the concession stand area and looked around. Packed with people! And not cheap to spend the day there.
 |
| Vanilla Leaf |
Pretty ride into the park, about 12 miles after the turn off from Lake Crescent we stopped at the ranger station to get information on what hikes to do and what to see. The first thing that struck me when I stepped out of the car was Vanilla. I smelled vanilla. Sweet, not overpowering, but definitely there. Was informed that what I was smelling was vanilla leaf, common in the area, a small plant that gives off the vanilla aroma and Indians used this plant by rubbing the leaves on their skin and it is good for mosquito repellent. And later last night I read that's why we were not bothered by mosquitoes. No bugs.
Drove on to Sol Duc Falls which has a big trailhead parking area for those that want to back country hike into the mountains as well as hiking to the falls. Probably most cars there were for the longer hikes. Getting there around noonish wasn't too smart - no parking left so we opted to go do some other hiking and come back later. We went back to the Salmon Cascades area where salmon could be seen jumping the falls/cascades. Did not see any but was a pretty area. From there we drove to the Ancient Forest trail and did the short 8/10 mile loop. Again very pretty. Saw some amazing foliage and trees leaning over the embankment - how do they stay up? And vanilla, vanilla, vanilla.
Got back to Sol Duc Falls area and waited on a parking space. Sol Duc Falls was recommended for a pleasant hike - .8 miles one way, relatively flat path. Pretty waterfall is your reward at the end of this trail. Again, lots of people. Neat photo op with the falls below you and you are looking up at the bridge over the canyon the falls created. As we walked along the trail small brooks meandered down the mountain, along old growth forest. Easy now for us to spot nursery logs - trees all lined up in a row and they are growing on a mound of dirt (old tree).
 |
| Sol Duc Falls |
Driving back through the Lake Crescent area we stopped at Marymere Falls section and walked to those falls. This trail was flatter, until. The last 1/8 of the mile was steep incline up to the falls lookout area. The fall is 90 feet long, more of a wedding veil look, not the hard pounding water of Sol Duc. Had our picnic lunch/supper and walked back to the lake and sat on the dock and finished up the rest of our supper, looking out over the lake. Great way to end a super day.
 |
| Marymere Falls |
No comments:
Post a Comment