Striped Peak Falls
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Directions: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west to State Route 112. Continue 7.2 miles and turn right at Milepost 54 onto Camp Hayden Road. Then drive 3.4 miles to trailhead in Salt Creek County Park.
Ownership: Clallam County Parks and WA DNR
Distance: 2.2 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: moderate
No Pass
Dog-friendly (on leash)
The falls are small but their location is stunning in a remote cliff-enclosed cove on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Getting to these falls is best for sure-footed explorers as it involves descending a steep trail to the coastal hideaway—then a tough climb back.
The trail begins by winding through forested flats on a bluff above a rocky shoreline. The way then climbs and enters a primeval grove of towering hemlocks, firs, and cedars. The trail then drops before climbing again and coming to a viewpoint of an isolated cove almost 250 feet below.
A viewpoint of an isolated cove almost 250 feet below.
Using caution, keep hiking on the trail high above the coast soon reaching a junction with the Cove Trail. Take it dropping 200 feet on good rock steps to the remote cove. Here admire views out over the strait to Vancouver Island after passing the small Striped Peak Waterfall tumbling down a mossy and fern-lined ledge above the rocky cove.
