FALLSVIEW LOOP NATURE TRAIL

Length 0.1-mi/0.16 km 
Access US 101 
USGS Map Mount Walker 
Agency Olympic National Forest

Fallsview Campground, in the Olympic National Forest, is 
located 3.5 mil 5.6 km southwest of Quilcene on US 101. The 
nature trail begins at the far end of the campground and 
makes a little loop (0.1 mi/0.16 km), coming back to its 
point of origin. The path goes to a couple of overlooks. 
The slope below them is almost vertical, therefore the 
Forest Service has installed a cyclone fence to prevent 
accidents. Several picnic tables are located among the 
trees beyond the overlook. During early summer, when the 
rhododendrons are blooming, the forest is especially 
attractive.

At the viewpoints one can see a waterfall, which plunges, 
down a cliff that is almost obscured by the forest. The Big 
Quilcene River is below; the falls are on tributary stream 
that flows down the southern end of the Quilcene Range. The 
best view is obtained from the second overlook. Here one 
can see the falls from top to bottom, ribboning down 
perhaps 150-ft/46 m into a pool in the river.

Another path, labeled Trail to River, begins near the loop 
trail and switchbacks down to the Big Quilcene. Wooden 
handrails provide security, because many people who are not 
hikers walk up and down this path, which comes out onto a 
big rock at the river's edge (0.2 mi/0.3 km). At this point 
the Big Quilcene dashes against the rock, then makes a 
sweeping turn to the left. The scene is striking, and one 
is reminded of the whirlpool at Goblin Gates on the Elwha.