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Sol Duc Hot Springs and Lake Crescent
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![hotspring_14.jpg (96303 bytes)](images/hotspring_14_small.jpg) |
Tumbling Sol Duc Falls |
One of the favorite places to camp on the Olympic peninsula,
Sol Duc Campground in the Olympic mountains.
Arrive late in the evening, and luckily find a available campsite
in the forested campground next to the Sol Duc river.
Next morning we are awoken by the shrill whistling of thrushes
in the old growth trees. A hearty breakfast prepared in the westy,
and we are ready to go on a hike to the Sol Duc Falls.
The trail winds through stands of 200 foot tall Douglas Fir,
and crosses creeks and rivers, eventually arriving at the
tumbling Sol Duc Falls.
Afternoon lunch in the westy, and then take the short walk
to the hot springs, soaking up the minerals.
There are three hot pools of varying temperatures,
and one large swimming pool.
![hotpring_5.jpg (42337 bytes)](images/hotpring_5_small.jpg) |
In the early morning, hot
springs and restaurant. |
![hotspring_6.jpg (74345 bytes)](images/hotspring_6_small.jpg) |
The three hot mineral baths and
large swimming pool. |
![hotspring_3.jpg (62445 bytes)](images/hotspring_3_small.jpg) |
Sol Duc campground, a 10 minute
walk to the spa. |
![hotspring_4.jpg (58388 bytes)](images/hotspring_4_small.jpg) |
Log bridge crossing a creek on
Sol Duc Falls trail. |
![hotspring_2.jpg (64406 bytes)](images/hotspring_2_small.jpg) |
Trail through the moss green
forest. |
![hotspring_13.jpg (39820 bytes)](images/hotspring_13_small.jpg) |
Another view
of the
Sol Duc Falls.
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Next day drive the road that twists and bends along the shores of the
10 mile long Lake Crescent, a glacier-carved deep freshwater lake.
A stop at the historic lodge, little changed since it was built in 1915.
President Franklin Roosevelt stayed at the lodge in 1937 when he
decided to create the Olympic National Park.
The sun is reflecting on the turquoise lake, and it's quite pastoral.
![hotspring_11.jpg (52524 bytes)](images/hotspring_11_small.jpg) |
![hotspring_9.jpg (52891 bytes)](images/hotspring_9_small.jpg) |
Romantic Lake Crescent Lodge. |
![hotspring_7.jpg (78359 bytes)](images/hotspring_7_small.jpg) |
![hotspring_8.jpg (40722 bytes)](images/hotspring_8_small.jpg) |
In the afternoon, we head west on Hwy 101, and
next stop is the Hoh Rain Forest.
![](images/vang_back.jpg)
Click to go to the Rain Forest
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