Elwha River Trail to Marys Falls - 17.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Elwha River Trail runs 28.4 miles south from Whiskey Bend Road to Low Divide (3,602'), and continues another 16.4 miles as the North Fork Quinault River Trail to form one of the longest thru-hikes in Olympic National Park. It traces the river through diverse forests with many places to camp and explore the Olympic interior.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

While few tackle the entire trail at once, there are many compelling destinations of varying length along the way. Mary's Falls is located 8.8 miles from Whiskey Bend at Mary's Falls Camp, the first of 8 backcountry sites between Lillian Camp and Low Divide.

Those who value the journey and destination equally will enjoy this long day hike or moderate overnight into the Elwha Valley. Highlights include the bridge at Lillian Camp, access to Humes Ranch, active wildlife and multiple river access points:

The trail rises to the Rica Canyon Trail (1.2 miles : 1,247') and dips past the Krause Bottom Trail (1.6 miles : 1,127') to Michaels' Cabin at the Humes Meadow Trail split (1.9 miles : 1,118').

Fir and hemlock form the canopy while Oregon grape, elderberry, huckleberry and a variety of ferns, mosses and liverworts are spread across the understory.

The trail climbs steadily past the cabin in a younger forest that burned near the turn of the century. A few creek corridors lined with old growth cedar and hemlock were spared and highlight this otherwise mundane stretch.

The trail crests near the Lillian River Trail split (4.15 miles : 1,665') and drops steeply in a changing forest to the Lillian River at Lillian Camp (4.75 miles : 1,353').

Here the comparatively dry lowland forest transitions to lush rainforest on the damp river bottom. Large cedar, fir and big leaf maple line the banks.

A scenic bridge over the Lillian River (4.8 miles : 1,353') is an ideal turnaround point for day hikes. Backpackers will find some of the Elwha Valley's nicest campsites just over the bridge along the river. 

The trail climbs 700' in 1.4 miles from Lillian Camp to a crest high along the east valley wall (6.2 miles : 2,065'). Madrone trees dot the slopes of this markedly drier segment.

The trail tilts down at 6.2 miles as large fir, cedar and maple re-appear near the river.

It crosses a stream (8.3 miles : 1,342') and drops to a level bank on the river (8.4 miles : 1,300'). Scale a small hill and drop to Mary's Falls Group Site (8.7 miles : 1,307').

A few steps ahead is the spur to Mary's Falls Camp (8.8 miles : 1,296'), which you'll follow through a small meadow to the river's edge. Mary's Falls is located across the river, about 25' downstream from the last campsite. A small tributary reveals the falls' location high up the west valley wall.