Maidenhair Falls
Wynoochee Valley
Directions: From Montesano, travel north on the Wynoochee Valley Road (which becomes Forest Road 22) for 34 miles. Then continue north on FR 2312 for 5.8 miles to where it splits. Bear left, cross the Wynoochee River and immediately turn left onto a spur (FR 2385). Continue a short distance to trailhead.
Ownership: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: easy
No pass
Kid-friendly, Dog friendly
Overlooked by many waterfalls admirers due to its close proximity to Wynoochee Falls, Maidenhair Falls is a pleasant little surprise in a quiet corner of the Olympics. From the parking area, locate the Wynoochee Lakeshore Trail and follow it north.
The trail travels along the West Branch of the Wynoochee River in a nice grove of old-growth forest. After a half mile reach a bridge spanning the river over a deep chasm where Maidenhair Falls plunges into a punchbowl. The falls are only 13 feet high, but quite scenic. And due to their location in one of the wetter corners of the Olympics, they are usually roaring.
There are a couple of smaller falls located just downstream, but you won’t be able to catch a view of them. You can however continue on the trail and walk high above the river’s south bank through more impressive ancient forest.
