Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, WA

( taken from the foot bridge)

The hike: 1.8 miles round trip, with easy ups and downs

Never underestimate a hike with its difficulty level, the trail to Sol Duc Falls is one of those easy hikes, yet from the trailhead to Sol Duc Falls is a natural wonderland. The trailhead was beauifully adorned with rhododendrons, 

Beautiful Pacific Rhododenron inside the Forest

and the trail meanders through old-growth forest.

Sol Duc Falls Trail

Sol Duc Falls trail is actually a get-away to a number of more ambitious trails. Those who are into backpacking can apply for wilderness permit, carry their camping gear, and continue to hike further up the mountain. There were several streams to cross in the trail, and at one point, we were so awed by the flowing stream on mossy rocks that we spent some time taking pictures, nourishing our spirits with inspirations from nature.

 Some of the Streams We had to Cross, with mossy rocks

With the very low light inside the forest, I had to shoot with longer exposure. However, without a tripod, it was very challenging to take decent picture without camera shake. We were debating before if we pack our trusted camping equipment which we always have in our car as part of our ready survival gears if in case our car get stuck somewhere. However, since we were lazy to check in our luggage, we decided to only carry what is allowed for carry on, and that meant leaving behind our tripod and trekking poles too. Thus, I made my own tripod by kneeling down and putting my elbow down on the ground. I was in that position to take the above picture, when a well meaning older guy passed by and told me, "continue on....you will see more wonder", and I told him, "thanks...I know, but I can not let this wonder passed me too. It is very seldom I see rocks so green with moss." We exchanged smile, and I believe we understood each other. A lot of times, when I hike, I do not focus on the destination only, but also on what I see around. This makes my hike and my experience more meaningful for me. From this stream, a few more steps beyond we started to hear the roaring waterfalls. We know it can not be anymore from small creeks, but must be from Sol Duc River. With excitement, we continued to follow the forested trail,

    Sol Duc Trail in the Midst of Old Growth Forest

until we finally reached the bridge, which probably has the best viewing for Sol Duc Falls. The first picture of the waterfall above, the picture of the Sol Duc Trail in the Midst of Old Growth Forest and the picture below were all taken from the bridge. 

Sol Duc Falls from the Foot Bridge

Here, even with very low light, I did not have to use myself as the tripod to take this picture, all I did was used the railings of the bridge for camera support to avoid camera shake. The bridge is supposed to be the end of the trail for those hiking to Sol Duc Falls only, while the trail continues to other points of interest. The thundering sound of the waterfall however was attracting us to cross the bridge, curious if how the falls look like at the other end of the trail. 

Sol Duc Falls from Past the Bridge

It was amazing to see the water falling from the river and then, crashing against the rocks producing a roaring sound like that of a thunder. We continued a little further up the river to see what the waterfall is like, and here are some more pictures.

Me, Photographing Sol Duc Fall ( the tree was my support)

Sol Duc Falls and Bridge

The sound of the river and the waterfall, and the shelter of the forest was so relaxing for us that we stayed long here in the river. Taking photos, enjoying family togetherness, having the time of our lives. Until we saw from a distant haze from camp fire. Some campers were emptying their picnic backpacks, their tents well put up, and had started a fire. We looked at our watch, and realized it was getting late and time for us to head back to the trail head.

Sad It May Be To Leave This Forest, But We Have to Get Back to the Trailhead

The light inside the forest was getting dimmer and dimmer, and how I wished we brought with us all our camping gears and equipments to enjoy this forest at night. But we had to rush to Forks, to experience what Twilight rooms are. And in my twilight room, I dreamed of sleeping here, 

Mossy Tree 

with the mossy tree as our handsome guards. Let me end this post with a quote from Mother Teresa....

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature- trees, flowers, grass- grow in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence....We need silence to be able to touch souls." - Mother Teresa

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