Olympic Peninsula Interior

My friends and I ventured to Sol Duc Hot Springs, deep in the interior of the Olympic Peninsula.  We had a nice lunch at the resort, earned by hiking up to Sol Duc Falls.  This country is at a higher elevation than the rainforest around Lake Quinault...around 2000 feet.  Snow is more common in winter; the first time I hiked here was in March and there was a dusting on the ground.  No snow this time, but plenty of runoff from recent rains and snowmelt from the nearby mountains.  And sublime light in the forest.

The Sol Duc River courses through the forest.

 A tributary of the Sol Duc has cascades that are somewhat magical.

It's tricky to get the perspective of this shot from the photo.  But, this log has become wedged in a rock slot perhaps 40 feet below the bridge I stood on to shoot this picture.

Turn around from the previous view and Sol Duc Falls is roaring.

The Falls produces a permanent rainbow.

Water, rocks, moss

In places the forest floor is totally mossed in.

This is a pond with a log in it and with many plantsm growing out of the water.

Fairly well hidden deer near Lake Crescent.

Flowers and birches

This maple tree caught our eye.  It's quite a fine tree.  Obviously quite old.

Standing under the maple and looking up.

A fine field of flowers fronting the forest.

Abstract flower closeup.

Lake Crescent broods on a gray, tranquil day.  I have loved this lake for half a century, and finally got to stay here for two days.  Its peace and beauty is sublime.  Good food at the restaurant too!  And rainforest all around.  It's a wonderful spot.

Mountain mirrored in the waters of Lake Crescent.