|
Rocky Brook Falls is one of the best easy to reach waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula. Considering the falls aren't located on federal land, it's that much more fortunate that it remains publicly accessible. In 1986, a micro hydro project was installed at the falls, drawing off water for the nearby town of Brinnon, which compounds the fortune this waterfall has received even further - it could be completely dry today. The operators of the facility have the foresight to allow the falls to flow year round, however, and we tip our collective hats to them for doing so. So, on to the waterfall: Rocky Brook horsetails 229 feet over a wide wall, veiling out at the base into an inviting pool. Popular with locals, the falls are often visited in the summer months, so don't expect solitude. What piqued our interest on a recent visit was that the sign on the side of the hydro building stated the facility has 446 feet of head - this means the elevation change from the intake to the generators is 446 feet. The visible portion of the falls from the base drops 229 feet and considering the topographic maps seem to indicate the total height falls may be close to 350 feet in all. Further investigation will have to be done to see if any additional portions of the falls can be seen.
- Rocky Brook Falls is the Historical name of this waterfall.
We don't know how or when either the falls or the brook were named. The name of the falls has been in use for well over 100 years, and was likely adopted from the name of the stream. Because there aren't many streams in Washington referred to as a "brook", I suspect a settler from the eastern states probably named it at some point.
Located near Brinnon, along the Dosewallips Road off Highway 101. The Dosewallips Road heads inland from Brinnon about 2/3 of a mile north of the bridge on Highway 101 across the Dosewallips River. Watch for signs for Olympic National Park. Follow the Dosewallips Road for three miles to the Rocky Brook Bridge, and park on the left on the far side. Follow the trail past the hydro facility to the falls in about 500 feet. The rocks at the base of the falls can be exceptionally slick if wet, so tread lightly.
|
