North Fork Sol Duc Trail, Olympic National Park, Washington
North Fork Sol Duc Trail
Olympic National Park
The North Fork Sol Duc Trail follows the North Fork Sol Duc River 9 miles upstream through an archetypal old growth forest. This gorgeous river hike sees light traffic, primarily because few people endeavor the swift river ford at .75 miles. Adventurous hikers will enjoy ancient forests, abundant wildlife, and a remote river setting on the North Fork Sol Duc Trail.
| Related Trails: | Ancient Groves Nature Trail North Fork Sol Duc Trail |
Mushrooms grown upon liverworts which grow upon nurse logs in the Sol Duc's old growth forest
Vine maple and gnarled big leaf maple envelope trail segments adjacent to the river
Grades moderate along wide open banks past the .75 mile river ford
The trail is faint but generally easy to find and intuitively followed in the high forest
Big leaf maple sap can be made into syrup, but is of a lower quality than preferred sugar maple trees
The trail fords the North Fork Sol Duc River just below these rapids
Native Americans used columbine root to treat minor sores and cuts
Bottomlands along the river corridor are good places to see wildlife from a comfortable distance
A ford just above these rapids begins the 3 mile unimproved section of the North Fork Sol Duc Trail
Clarity improves along the highest sections of the trail
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