The major part of our Washington vacations was planned around Olympic peninsula. I had the biggest collection of the place from there that I wanted to see. Even before the initial planning, I could the most stunning places names the by photos. And I wish we had more time here…
The next few posts I will talk about Olympic (Peninsula and National park), but the places would be grouped together without order we visit them. So today – all fresh water places you need to see there!

Lake Crescent

Glacier-carved Lake Crescent wasn’t in the initial place. Or better to say, I planned just to drive near it. But the temperatures and the desire to swim somewhere stopped us there.
The water of the lake is so blue and clean, so you just cannot only drive by. And so we stopped, at La Poel.
Some family built a camp there, and kids played in the water. If kids can do it, why cannot we?
Water was cold. Really cold. Not like the Pacific cold but a few years ago I would not swim.

Right near the lake, there are Marymere Falls. And I planned to check them. But lake got all our attention… But you should see them!

Sol Duc Falls

There is a collection in my Instagram with all my favorite shots of this waterfall. And it was a must for me to visit it during the trip!
Sol Duc Falls is most photographed spot on the peninsula, and I guess I know why. The place is fantastic! And I would definitely want to see them again and again.

Hood Channel: Murhut and Rocky Brook Falls

Hood channel area is not the part of the national park. And I learn about it only during the trip (when actually started to read all the materials that I found during the preparation to this vacations). And the guide brochure mentioned three waterfalls. We visited two.
3/4 mile high Murhut falls require short hike, and it happens is a good swimming hole. You could walk to the base and to the middle section of it. But we weren’t the only here, and the company which came first really enjoyed the water, so we just stop at the observation point.

The largest and frequently visited, Rocky Brook Falls is even more popular because of the very short trail and even better possibility to swim near it. There was crowdy (though it was Thursday). The falls are impressive and have few viewpoints, and it’s easy to spend near whole day.

Lake Quinault and nearest waterfalls

It was our the last stop at the peninsula. We sleep in the cabin at Rain Forest Resort Village so was easy to met sunset on the lake shore. I don’t know if it’s possible to swim here. The shore near the cabin was muddy and I hardly imagine someone to swim exactly at that spot.
But the sunset was brilliant!

The another feature of this place is that there is a beginning of the trail to Enchanted Valley, the place with an impressive number of the waterfalls is very scenic. But we didn’t hike there 🙁
The area around the lake has few small falls with a short hikes to. So we walked few in the morning around breakfast time. Waterfalls are small and most of them are easily accessible. If you want just to spend a time and check nearest rain forest, this is very good things to do.