Summer's here, which means it's time to plan our outdoor getaways. If you're on the hunt for the best waterfall trail in Washington, check out Enchanted Valley, located on the peninsula in the stunning Olympic National Park. It might be long but this challenging route promises an unparalleled experience of the Evergreen State's great outdoors. It may make backpacking your new summer tradition.
You'll begin your 27-mile hike at the Graves Creek Trailhead before splitting off at a signed junction down a rugged abandoned road. From here, you'll follow the Quinault River for some time before eventually arriving at Pyrites Creek.
Here, there are some back-country campsites where you can spend the night and split your travel time. If you have the right gear, I highly recommend settling in for a night beneath the stars, lulled to sleep by the sound of the nearby creek. It's a seriously magical experience that will ruin you for white noise machines.
The following day, you'll continue along the path as it curls through thick old-growth forest. You might feel alone, but the surrounding habitat is densely populated. Look for animal tracks in wet areas of the trail!
At long last, you'll arrive at the mesmerizing Enchanted Valley. If you're up for it, I recommend that hikers hunker down for another night here. Valley mornings are often thick with fog, lending the scenery even more otherworldly beauty.
Enchanted Valley is known as a paradise of waterfalls. On the surrounding cliff faces, delicate waterfalls lace the rock.
You'll also want to explore the exterior of the abandoned chalet. Since its construction in the 1930s, the Enchanted Valley chalet has been one of Olympic National Park's most iconic buildings. Back then, it was a retreat for mountaineers and horseback riders. Today, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and frequently features in photographs of the area.
During your travels, remember that you're deep in bear country. Store your food appropriately and take safety precautions, particularly when spending the night outdoors.
If you're looking for the best waterfall hike in Washington, check out the trail to Enchanted Valley. For those with the resolve to spend a couple of nights in the bush, this route promises an unparalleled experience of the Olympic Peninsula. For this reason, it belongs on your outdoor bucket list.
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