Hiking Sol Duc ONP with Friends!

I recently went for a mid-week hike in Olympic National Park with my friend Amy Miller. She suggested Sol Duc Falls' Lovers Lane as a great option for someone's first hike in the park (how is this is my first outing in the ONP??).

This trail has great features:

• excellent length at approx. 6 miles;

• beautiful loop around a section of the Sol Duc River beginning with the Falls; and,

• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort for a post-hike soak!

Amy offered to drive (so grateful!). I am not a great mountain driver having grown up in Texas. Amy was raised in CO and is a natural. Sol Duc Falls is one hour from Port Angeles on Hwy 101 (eventual left off the highway onto Sol Duc Road). We got a late start, but fortunately it was mid-week crowds were minimal. Even so, parking extended down the road from the lot by the time we arrived. The trail between to the falls, then it quickly tapered down to quasi-nil for the remainder of the loop.

This is a great hike to go one with friends! Six miles of hiking allows a lot of time to chat and get to know one another better. Walking and talking go together like peanut butter and jelly—which would make for a great hike snack! The resort has tables and chairs you can sit at and enjoy your hike snacks together. We returned to the resort after our hike for a swim and soak. Perfect day trip—highly recommend!