West Elwah Trail to Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook

Drove up to the end of Herrick Road to hike the West Elwah Trail and on up to the Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook and back in Olympic National Park (about 9 miles round trip with 1,700' gain). There is only room for 3 cars in the parking area, so the West Elwah Trail is not busy, I saw 4 other hikers on it as I was hiking back. Only saw about 20 hikers/bikers up on the closed Olympic Hot Spring Road to the Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook. Not busy for a sunny Sunday. The first 0.4 miles of the West Elwah Trail is in private property, so it is important to stay on the trail through there.

As I neared the park boundary, I could see a couple of deer crossing the trail in the distance (zoom)

Boundary entering Olympic National Park

This was a lovely trail through the forest.

lots of ferns

Bleeding hearts along the trail along with other wildflowers in bloom.

There were wildflowers in the rocks at the end of this boardwalk section.

Happy to see the fawn lilies still in bloom.

The bridge across this cross as slipped of the far bank and the handrail has broken. Someone has jerry rigged the loose handrail, I would not rely on that section of the handrail for support.

downstream from the bridge

upstream from the bridge

Parts of the trail are muddy and the rocks on this stream crossing were very slippery and I slipped!

moss covered trees

view across the Elwah River at the Altair Picnic Area

The West Elwah Trail ends very close to the bridge over the Elwah River on the Olympic Hot Spring Road. View form the bridge looking downstream.

View from the bridge over the Elwah River looking upstream

From the bridge over the Elwah River it is about 1.1 miles to the Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook. Looking upstream from the spillway to what was once Lake Mills

zoom of what I think is Mount Fitzhenry

Looking down to the Elwah River going through the canyon/spillway

About 0.3 mile below the spillway is an old road that goes down to the Elwah River where there was a canoe/kayak launch site. The color of the Elwah River is fabulous.

Hiking back through the Altair Picnic area, view across the Elwah River, and

view downstream.

Further down the West Elwah Trail, an open area with a view upstream along the Elwah River.

I took a vertical pano of this large mossy covered boulder with water pouring down the side.

Another view looking upstream along the Elwah River as I continue to hike back towards the trailhead.

I like how these mossy tree roots span over the small gorge carved out by the stream below.

Shortly before I left the park boundary on my way out, I saw this large frog next to the trail.

Some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today: