Elwha Area - Olympic National Park

Madison Falls Trail (ONP)

Directions:

The only access route into the Elwha valley is Elwha River Road. The road has its junction with Highway 101 at the Elwha River, 8 miles west of Port Angeles. Follow the river road southward for about 2 miles into Olympic National Park (entrance fee). The Madison Falls trail begins at a parking area just inside the Olympic National Park entrance.

Features:

This is an accessible, 0.1 mile paved trail. At the trailhead, there is designated parking and an accessible vault toilet.

The trail initially takes you through an area settled a century ago -- Smith's timber claim, Sweet's Cedarvale Resort, and Matteson's mining claim by the falls. Now, what remains of the pioneer settlement are lovely meadows and deciduous forest.

The trail follows Madison Creek through a crevice in the mountainside to Madison Falls. From an observation platform , you can view the falls, cascading a hundred feet down basalt, moss-lined cliffs. When the creek is high and the falls has a larger volume, you can feel the mist on your face.

The viewing platform has benches to sit and room to turn a wheelchair or mobility scooter around. Another bench is available half way down the trail. This is a perfect flat trail for anyone who can only walk a short distance!

Adjacent to the parking lot is a large meadow with several picnic tables. This is a wonderful spot for a picnic or to simply sit and enjoy the view and watch for elk or deer grazing in the meadow.

Before leaving the area, go across the road and catch a spectacular view of the Elwha River.

Other Info:

The trail is within Olympic National Park. There is an entrance fee and park rules state, "no pets on the trails."

There are a couple of campgrounds along the Elwha. The Elwha campground is heavily wooded and typically not crowded. The Altaire Campground further down the road is really pretty and has spaces for smaller RVs. Several spots are right along the river and are more open so they get some sun.

Whiskey Bend Trail (ONP)

Directions:

From Port Angeles, go 8 miles west on Hightway 101. Turn left at Elwha River Road and drive 4 miles to Whiskey Bend Road. Follow the road 5 miles to the trailhead.

Features:
Approx. .25 miles of the trail from Whiskey Bend to low divide is accessible with assistance.

Other Info:

There is an accessible vault toilet at the trailhead.

Note: Although Washington lists this trail in its Accessible Outdoor Recreation Guide, Olympic National Park does not list this trail on on its Accessibility list.

Boulder Creek Trail / Olympic Hot Springs Trail (ONP)

Directions:

Turn south on Elwha River Road at its junction with Highway 101, about 8 miles west of Port Angeles. Follow the river road for about 2 miles into Olympic National Park (entrance fee). Shortly past the park entrance, you'll reach the Elwha Campground, then in another mile, the Elwha Ranger Station where you can obtain information on trail conditions.

The road follows the Elwha river along the base of the Elwha River Range. The road continues for several miles until it crosses the Elwha River, providing access to Altaire Campground.

The river road, now called Boulder Creek Road, climbs to pass by the Glines Canyon Dam and Lake Mills.

The road continues to climb as you pass the lake. The road now is rather narrow and transverses the hillside. Take your time on this drive and keep a lookout for cars coming back down the road. The montane forest along the steep hillside is beautiful with an assortment of trees: Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Madrona, Alder and Maple trees. Some of the trees are quite big and very healthy with beautiful bark.

There's a good view of the valley and Lake Mills from Observation Point.

The road continues to climb through the big trees until it deadends at the trailhead.

Features:

This trail begins at the end of the Elwha River Road (also known as Boulder Creek Road), elevation 1,800 feet. An accessible vault toilet is at the parking area near the trailhead. A sign at the trailhead tells hikers about the various destinations that stem from this trailhead, such as the Olympic Hot Springs, Boulder Creek, Appleton Pass, and Boulder Lake. Sadly, only abled-bodied hikers can reach these points since approximately .25 miles of the trail is accessible with assistance.

The accessible part of the trail was once a road to a popular resort, Olympic Hot Springs. Although the route is still paved, it is not smooth. Some wheelchair users may require assistance. The route descends slowly till it reaches Cougar Creek. For most wheelers, this is the end of the trail. However, it makes a nice destination since it is a beautiful spot to sit and listen to the creek dropping down the hillside. There is a magnificent old tree here at the bank of the creek, with its roots clinging around the rocks. (Be sure to click the photo for a larger view of this tree.)

For those able-bodied folks that can continue on, the trail follows the old Boulder Creek Road about 1-3/4 more miles across Hell and Crystal Creeks. Shortly beyond Crystal Creek the old road ends at a parking area. Continue through the parking area along the northern shore of Boulder Creek to a spur trail leading left. This trail crosses Boulder Creek and leads .5 miles to the hot springs. A popular resort once stood in this area, but nothing remains of it; only the seven pools remain.

Other Info:

Olympic Hot Springs was quite a popular resort in its day. The hot springs were discovered by Andrew Jacobson in 1892 and in the early 1900s a trail was blazed. A Forest Service Road was constructed in the 1930s and a resort was built.

There are a couple of accessible campgrounds in the area: Altair Campground and Elwha Campground.

Note: Although Washington lists this trail in its Accessible Outdoor Recreation Guide, Olympic National Park does not list Boulder Creek trail on its Accessibility list.

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	Trail does not meet ADA standards. There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user, without adequate strength or balance, may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.