Wanderlust and Waterfalls: Our Olympic Peninsula Adventure Will Take Your Breath Away

Make sure to check out our episode on PORT ANGELES! Episode 224!

You can also read our blog on the Port Angeles site here: 

https://www.visitportangeles.com/roam-with-the-roamies-as-they-explore-port-angeles-on-a-winter-vacation/

As well as our previous 2 episodes to catch up with all our stories from  the Olympic Peninsula to inspire you to create your own stories on YOUR adventure there! 

 Waterfalls have a way of taking your breath away. Just ask Alexa, who fondly recalls being literally breathless when turning a corner during a Swiss hike to discover a magnificent cascade appearing out of nowhere. That magical moment sparked a passion that led us on an unforgettable journey through Washington's Olympic Peninsula, armed with nothing but a waterfall brochure and an appetite for natural wonder.

The peninsula reveals itself as a wonderland of diverse cascades, each with its own distinct personality. Near Port Angeles, we discovered Madison Falls, a peaceful 60-foot drop nestled in a mossy grove perfect for quiet contemplation, and Marymere Falls, where a winding trail through ancient forest rewards hikers with a spectacular 90-foot waterfall. Venturing into the Hoh Rainforest transported us to an otherworldly landscape where everything drips with moisture and vibrant green moss hangs like curtains from towering trees. Here, smaller cascades like Mineral Creek Falls reveal themselves along misty trails, surrounded by the greenest forest floor imaginable.

The Quinault Rainforest offered its own waterfall treasures, from roadside-accessible Merriman Falls to the wild beauty of Bunch Creek Falls with its dramatic 60-foot drop over rocky ledges. Though we couldn't make the 13-mile trek to the legendary "Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls" in Enchanted Valley, it's firmly on our bucket list for our next peninsula adventure. For waterfall chasers planning their own Olympic Peninsula journey, we recommend visiting during spring snowmelt or rainy months for maximum flow, and don't miss coastal falls like Strawberry Bay where cascades meet the sea at low tide. Whether you're an avid hiker seeking backcountry wonders or prefer easy access viewing points, the Olympic Peninsula's waterfalls will leave you, like us, a little more in love with the natural world. Check our show notes for helpful links to plan your own waterfall adventure! 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Alexa and I'm Rory, and together we are the
Romies.
We are married.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
To each other.

Speaker 1 (00:08):
Right, we are a touring musical duo.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
And our music has taken us to all kinds of places
all around the world and keepsus always on the go.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
So we hope you enjoy our stories and adventures while
running around working to keepall your plates spinning.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
And we hope, to facilitate your busy lifestyle
and feed your inner travel bugHi everybody, hi everyone.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
Welcome to this episode.
We're keeping the adventuresrolling with Larissa's Kitchen,
riding along as our officialsponsor all month.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
All month, Alright y'all.
Larissa's Kitchen creates realmeat snacks that are certified
allergen-free.
Zero sugar yes, and they'rebuilt for an on-the-go life and
that's why we are sharing thiswith you, because we like to
share on-the-go hacks with you.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, check this out.
They use only grass-fedfinished beef and free-range
poultry.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
So you're getting top-quality protein with no junk
.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
No junk.
This month's hikes, road tripsand travel days are powered by
the paleo-friendly and non-GMOoptions.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
This episode we're highlighting their jalapeno beef
stick, which I've also had,which is fantastic.
You might think jalapeno beefstick it's going to burn my
mouth off.
It's not that way.
It's just really flavorful,maybe a little bit of warmth To
this Cajun guy, though there wasno burn at all Just really good
meat stick.
It's their jalapeno beef stick.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
And you can find Larissa's Kitchen at Walmart now
and you want to go to thegluten-free section when you are
looking for those for youron-the-go adventures.
Speaking of on-the-goadventures, we are still diving
in to the Olympic Peninsula andif y'all caught our episode on

(01:54):
Port Angeles, which is in theOlympic Peninsula, if you
haven't, please check that oneout next We'll put that in the
show notes.
But I started out our wholeadventure in the Olympic
Peninsula visiting the PortAngeles Visitor Center and I
took with me this fun lookingbrochure about waterfalls.
Okay, so, when I saw thatbrochure highlighting all the

(02:16):
waterfalls that are scatteredacross the Olympic Peninsula,
yeah, yeah yeah, I was like okay, yeah, we have to go visit
every single one, because Itotally love waterfalls.
I've said this before, I think,but the very first time I ever
truly lost my breath, like itactually, I lost my breath.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
It was when she first saw me.
Yes, I'm sure that's where thatwas going Of course, yes, yes,
yes, yes.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Then my second, first time to really lose my breath
was we were hiking down thistrail in Switzerland because, of
course, switzerland, right.
We turned this corner andsuddenly, there it was.
Yeah, I remember that day, awaterfall appearing out of
nowhere.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
We were hiking down the mountain from, I think it
was from Wangen or Muren.
We were hiking down themountain, an eight-hour hike.
It was awesome.

Speaker 2 (03:06):
We just turned the corner and there it is, so you
ride the gondola up and then youjust hike down, so super cool.
Anyway completely caught me offguard.
I was shocked and awed andoverwhelmed by its beauty, like
all at the same time.
So for me, there is justsomething about waterfalls.
I love everything about themthe sound, the way they look,
the contrast of rough rocks withsmooth flowing water.

(03:28):
Some are like powerful andthunderous, some are gentle and
soothing, some are wide andsprawling, others are narrow and
tall.
So each one seems to have likeits own personality.
So I totally love discoveringwhat makes each one special.
So, of course, while exploringthe Olympic Peninsula, I had to
make some waterfall visits and Ihad.

(03:49):
You know, this brochure waskind of like our checklist it
count off as many as I could,and we saw some really cool
things.

Speaker 1 (03:56):
And I think I know the reason that you love
waterfalls so much is becausewhen you first saw me, baby, I
made you a waterfall.
I don't even know what thatmeans, but yeah, we started near
Port Angeles, where twostunning falls are tucked into
the forest.
Madison Falls is a short, sweetstop, just a quick walk from
the parking lot.
It's about 60 feet tall and setin this peaceful mossy grove,

(04:20):
it's the kind of place where youcould just sit and listen to
the water for hours, hours.

Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yes, then that's when you wish your trip was like way
longer than a few days, muchlonger, yeah.
Okay, then there's also MerryMirror Falls, and that felt like
walking into a fairy tale,because it's a waterfall, it's a
90-foot drop, and the hike toget there like winds, through
this dense forest along the edgeof Lake Crescent.
And the way to get there, likewinds, through this dense forest

(04:46):
along the edge of Lake Crescent, and the way the water just
spills down the rock face framedby giant trees, it's just, you
know, perfection.

Speaker 1 (04:51):
And that region alone is home to even more watery
wonders like Stripe Peak Falls.
That's a small seasonal cascade, best seen in the rainy months.

Speaker 2 (05:01):
Or Salt Duke Falls.
Wait, aren't all months in theOlympic Peninsula rainy?

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Yeah, it's kind of a rainforest.
I guess they have their.

Speaker 2 (05:07):
Even they have their seasons.

Speaker 1 (05:08):
Rainy months in quotes Right Rainy months you
can see me making the air quotes.

Speaker 2 (05:12):
Yes, I see them, I see them Okay.

Speaker 1 (05:14):
But there's also the.
I guess they say Salt DukeFalls, salt Duck, salt Duck.
Okay, though we didn't get tomake it this time yeah.

Speaker 2 (05:33):
It is high on our list.
It was close while we werethere.

Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yeah, it's high on our list for our next trip.
We went waterfall to waterfallto waterfall.
We were chasing waterfalls, welove waterfalls.
We were driving around just tosee them.
The water on this Seau d'Ocfalls.
The water splits into threeseparate streams and crashes
dramatically through a narrowcanyon.
So how cool would that be.
Viewed from a footbridge above,it's especially cool to see an

(05:56):
intense during spring runoff.

Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yes, and Solduk also has a hot springs, and that was
closed.

Speaker 1 (06:03):
It's not a waterfall, but it's definitely a must see.

Speaker 2 (06:06):
So if you we again we went in February, but if you go
later you'll catch all of thatspring fun stuff.
The runoff.
All right.
Another waterfall we saw waswhen we headed into the heart of
the Ho Rainforest.
That's H-O-H rainforest.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
Did you feel like home there, baby?

Speaker 2 (06:21):
Oh yeah Now, which already feels like another world
.
So everything is like greenjungle, green right.
The air is thick with moisture,the moss hangs from the trees
like curtains, and along the HoRiver Trail we found a waterfall
flowing off of Mineral Creek.
And it's just one of thosequiet, hidden beauties tucked

(06:41):
deep in the woods.
It's not huge, but it's wild,and it's surrounded by the
greenest forest floor.

Speaker 1 (06:47):
And if you keep hiking along that trail,
especially after the rain, yousee these little cascades appear
all over the place.
Some are just a trickle.
It's like the forest is weeping.
Yeah, that was good, thank you.
It's pretty magical, and whilewe didn't raft to it, there's
Maple Creek Falls nearby too,which is only accessible by
water.
Thus, I said we didn't raft toit right Right right.

(07:09):
Rafting trips take you right tothe base of this picturesque
hidden fall.

Speaker 2 (07:13):
So after that we explored the Quinault Rainforest
, which honestly feels like it'sstraight out of a dream.
We stopped at a few waterfallspots just off the South Shore
Road.

Speaker 1 (07:23):
I just so want to sing that song.

Speaker 2 (07:25):
What song?
Don't go chasing waterfalls,all right.

Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, but I do want to go chasing waterfalls, and
you did just sing that Right.

Speaker 2 (07:33):
Yes, all right, so but I do want to go chasing
waterfalls and you did just singthat Right, yes, all right.
So there, where I was talkingabout in the Quinault Rainforest
, you got Merriman Falls, andit's especially easy to reach.
It's just steps from the road,so as you are road tripping, you
can just stop and check it out.
Its 40-foot drop makes it aperfect photo op, especially
during the wetter months.

Speaker 1 (07:57):
Further along, near Bunch Canyon, we found a wilder
cascade.
That would be the Bunch CreekFalls.
It's nearly 60 feet tall.
How cool is that, with waterrushing over rocky ledges and
spraying the air.
So it's a nice place to getcold in February, I'm just
saying.
And tucked in nearby are evenmore gems.
There's Willoughby Creek Falls,which you can see along a short
interpretive loop trail, andGatton Creek Falls, a tiered

(08:20):
fall with a series of thesewonderful graceful drops, and
each of the falls feels uniquein its own right.

Speaker 2 (08:27):
Now, maybe the most magical place in the entire
Quinault area is deep in thebackcountry.
It's Enchanted Valley.
It's also known as the Valleyof 10,000 Waterfalls.
It is a 13-mile trek to getthere, so we did not hike for 13
miles to go see it, so wemissed out on that one, but it

(08:49):
is legendary.
In spring, the snow melt sendsthe water just tumbling from
cliffs on both sides of thevalley and it's super unreal.
So that is a bucket list item.
And when you are hiking allthese trails and chasing
waterfalls, you got to stayenergized, you got to have your
protein, and having Larissa'sKitchen in your backpack is

(09:10):
going to be the way to go tokeep you fueled.

Speaker 1 (09:14):
Oh yeah, yeah, there are more waterfalls scattered
throughout the peninsula that wedidn't get to see as well, but
they're still worth knowingabout.
So here are a couple of them,like Hoko Falls, where a short
drop leads to a scenic littlecanyon how cool, we love canyons
.
Or Beaver Falls it's what theycall a block-type cascade that
spans about 70 feet of BeaverCreek and hi that's what it's

(09:38):
called Quit.
Yeah, I'm not telling you tostop.
High, high, quit is what itlooks like.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
A-W-I-T-H-T.

Speaker 1 (09:44):
Yep, it is a low volume.
Falls near Cape Flattery andyou'll need a boat to see that
one too.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
Along the Pacific coast.
Waterfalls meet the sea andStrawberry Bay Falls is this
horsetail style fall that youcan view from the trail, and at
a low tide you can walk thebeach and get even closer.
Further south Fall Creek Fallslies along a remote coastal
trail, great for backpackerslooking for that perfect
wilderness moment.

Speaker 1 (10:12):
The Southern Loop holds some true hidden treasures
too.
There's Spoon Creek Falls.
It's a double-tiered cascadewith a plunge pool Movie like a
movie but it's one of the leastvisited and most underrated.
And there's Wainoochee Falls.
Did you give me these names onpurpose?
Yeah, wainoochee,w-y-n-o-o-c-h-e-e, so I'm going

(10:33):
to say Wainoochee Falls.
It's got a punch bowl kind ofform.
It's got a dreamy swimming holeand when the river's right,
that's a good place to be andswim.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
We didn't get there this trip, but the descriptions
about them make me want to gothere on our plan on a return in
the summertime, so we can swim,yes.
And finally, on the easternslopes by Hood Canal, you'll
find Merhut Falls, two gorgeousdrops surrounded by forest.
Or you can also see Rocky BrookFalls just a short walk from
the road, with a year-roundstrong flow.
Even Ludlow Falls is tuckedinto a private community.

(11:09):
It has a maintainedinterpretive trail for public
access.
So these are the kinds ofplaces where you turn a corner
and then, like, the forest,surprises you.
Each of these waterfalls feelstotally different, but every
single one left me a little morein love with the world.

Speaker 1 (11:28):
Yeah, if you ever find yourself in the Olympic
Peninsula, chase the waterfalls.
Yeah, we love to do that.
Every turn in the trail mightlead to something.
Well, I'm going to say everyturn in the trail does lead to
something amazing and beautiful.
It's really wonderful there and, trust me, you'll never forget
the way it makes you feel beingthere.

Speaker 2 (11:49):
So plan your visit.
We will put some links in theshow notes to help you find and
navigate these waterfalls so youcan prep and plan for your own
visit.
And we want to thank againLarissa's Kitchen.
Thank you thank you Forsponsoring this episode.

Speaker 1 (12:03):
Thank you very much, baby.

Speaker 2 (12:04):
Larissa's Kitchen offers clean, grass-fed protein
snacks made for real life.
Now, these waterfalls we'vebeen talking about today are
going to metaphorically help youcool that tongue of yours when
you try today's spotlight flavor, which Rory mentioned.

Speaker 1 (12:20):
It's the Heat Seeker which Rory mentioned, jalapeno
beef stick.
It's the Heat Seeker.
Yes, the Heat Seeker Jalapenobeef stick that brings just the
right amount of kick, with eightgrams of protein and no sugar
added.

Speaker 2 (12:32):
Y'all, none of their beef sticks or meat sticks have
sugar added.

Speaker 1 (12:36):
It's so cool, I got a sugar mama.
Why do I need sugar in my meatstick?
Come on, so that is Roryapproved.

Speaker 2 (12:43):
Yes, so check it out.
We will see you on the next one.

Speaker 1 (12:48):
Bye-bye.
Now, when you're chasingwaterfalls, take your Larissa's
Kitchen Meat Sticks oh there yougo.

Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeah, there you go.

Speaker 1 (12:57):
Come on, girl, it's my song.
Okay, get off my song.

Speaker 2 (13:04):
Yeah, because you're the Cajun that eats this.
Alright, I'm sorry, it's allyou.
We hope we've inspired you thisepisode, so join us next time.
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Speaker 1 (13:16):
We're also on X and on all social platforms.
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Speaker 2 (13:28):
At wwwTheRomiescom, that's right, that's.
T-h-e-r-o-a-m-i-e-scom.
We'll be there until next time.
Yeah, thanks for listening, bye.