Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

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Olympic National Park provides plenty of places where you can enjoy a spooky walk through the woods.  The path to Marymere Falls, near Lake Crescent, is one such place, provided the rainy mist is perfectly balanced with a little sunlight.

Trail to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

The first part of the path to Marymere Falls runs right along US 101.  You’ll park on the north side of the road, then cross underneath the highway, at the start of the trail.

Foot Bridge, Trail to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

Folks in the Pacific Northwest have a very low-tech way to build a foot bridge.  They simply cut down a tree, let it fall across the creek, flatten one side of the log, and add a railing.

Trail to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

While the vegetation in this part of Olympic National Park isn’t quite as thick as what you’ll find in the rain forests on the west side of the mountains, there’s still plenty of green everywhere, and moss hanging from almost every tree.

Trail to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

As you approach the falls, the trail climbs steeply, and hugs the hillside.

Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

After more than a mile of hiking, this is your reward: the delicate 90 foot cascade of Marymere Falls.  I had to take two pictures, and stitch them together, just so you could see the entire falls.

After reaching the first viewpoint of Marymere Falls, you may be tempted to continue uphill to the second viewpoint.  If you’re tired of climbing, skip it.  The view is best at the lower viewpoint.  (That is, of course, unless you have energy to spare at this point in the journey!)
Trail to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

This is another one of those great, creepy scenes you’ll likely encounter, either on this path, or at some point during your Olympic Peninsula trip.

If it’s time to turn in for the night, or you want to spend more time hanging out at the falls, consider staying at the Lake Crescent Lodge, conveniently located just off the path to the falls.  The rooms aren’t cheap, but they come with a great view of the lake.  If you want to stay in one of the lodge’s popular cabins, you should make your reservation a year in advance.

Note: This trip was first published in 2004.

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