West Central

Foothills & Lakes

The West Central quarter of ODT runs from Port Angeles across the Elwha River and “Traverses ancestral lands of the S’Klallam, Quileute, and Coast Salish People” along the coastal lowlands and Lake Crescent, to end on Hwy 101 at the top of Fairholme Hill. It is 34.5 miles long.

West of Port Angeles the trail crosses the Elwha River on a spectacular suspended bridge. Long a source of hydropower and water for mills, the Elwha dams were removed in September 2011, and the largest river flowing out of the Olympics returned to breeding all 5 salmon species, including the giant 100 pound Chinook salmon of earlier years.

Beyond the river, the route parallels the Strait of Juan de Fuca coastline with side roads to beaches and resorts. At the town of Joyce, the trail cuts south over coastal hills to Lake Crescent, a large, deep (600 ft+) glacial lake nestled between towering mountain ridges. The trail hugs the lake’s north shore on 8 miles of former railroad grade, passing thru the restored McPhee  & Dailey-Rankin tunnels.. It then rises into a heavily forested plateau that continues through the next section.

Download the ODT West Central Map

Access Points

1. Port Angeles City Pier. Lincoln St at W. Front St. Parking, toilets, water, tourist info center, shopping and restaurants, transportation center.
2. 10th St Parking. 10th St at Milwaukee Dr. On street parking only.
3. 18th St Trailhead. Parking, toilet, water.
4. Kacee Way off Lower Elwha Road. Parking only.
5. Elwha River. At end of Crown Z Water Rd under the bridge. Parking only.
6. East Beach Trailhead. Near end of E. Beach Rd in Olympic National Park. Parking, toilets, water.
7. Sol Duc Road. On Hwy 101 opposite Sol Duc Rd. Limited parking.