Photos
Hiking to the falls provides clear evidence of the power of Mother Nature. In January 2002, the river ate away parts of the road; the Lake Constance fire in July 2007 left its mark as well. The timetable for repairing the road washout is uncertain at this time. The interim fix has been the creation of an up-and-over trail to get you around the washout. The trail is short with switchbacks and is designed to accommodate horses. As you drop down to the road, you will find the backcountry registration box. If you are going to go beyond the campground, you will need to fill out the self-registration backcountry permit.
About 1.3 miles from the trailhead is the sign for Elkhorn Campground, a closed U.S. Forest Service campground. Here you will see evidence of the 2007 fire. The fire that started in the hills well above the road migrated down slope, jumped the road and burned a large area between the road and the river. The fire was capricious, blackening some areas and leaving others untouched. Some large trees had only their bark scorched, while others appeared to have burned down to the cambium layer below the bark. The most burn damage appears to be at the junction of the Lake Constance trail.
As you proceed along the way, be wary of slide damage, both above and below the trail, that resulted from the damage to the trees and undergrowth that kept the soil in place. At 3.3 miles from the trailhead you’ll be in the Olympic National Park and in another half mile you will pass the Lake Constance trailhead. The wood ridge over Constance Creek is a good rest stop to catch your breath and ponder the fire devastation. Just two-tenths of a mile farther along the road you will reach the first views of the Dosewallips Falls. After marveling at the falls from the various vantage points, continue about another mile to the campground and lunch by the river.
Directions: From U.S. 101, turn west on to Dosewallips Road (Forest Service Road 2610), a mile north of Brinnon and about 11 miles south of Quilcene. Road is signed Dosewallips Recreation Area. Drive the road to the end, about 9.7 miles from U.S. 101. There is an earthen berm just before the washout. The trailhead is just over the berm, to the right, signed “Dosewallips Up and Over Trail.”
Difficulty rating: 4 (1 is easiest, 5 is most difficult)
Miles round trip: 11
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Best time of year: Year-round
Map: Green Trails 168-The Brothers
Pass: None needed at present but that may change as the status of the road changes.
Also: The road starts in the Olympic National Forest and ends in the Olympic National Park. The Dosewallips Campground is currently designated as a walk-in campground with pit toilets and no potable water. River water must be treated before drinking. A backcountry permit is required for travel beyond the campground. Carry a trash bag with you to pack out the trash you are sure to find left by those less-than-thoughtful who went before. You may find yourself sharing the trail with horses.
Info: For current road, trail, pass and pet information, check with both the park and national forest: fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/conditions; nps.gov/olym/index.htm; “A Waterfall Lover’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest” and “Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula,” both Mountaineers books.
Hike of the Week is presented by The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch Hiking/Backpacking Committee.
