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gem icon Olympic Hot Springs [Suggest Edits]

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A local Indian legend explains how the Olympic peninsula and Sol Duc Hot Springs were created... The legend goes like this: Once there were two dragons. One lived in the Sol Duc Valley and the other lived in the Elwha Valley. Neither dragon knew of the other's existence. One day they were both out exploring the forest when they came face to face on top of the ridge separating the Elwha and Sol Duc Valleys. They exploded with anger as each accused the other of invading its territory.

The fight was brutal as the dragons thrashed and ripped at each other to win back their territory. After years of fighting and clawing at each other, they grew frustrated. Their strength was evenly matched and neither could win. The dragons both admitted defeat and crawled back to caves in their respective valleys and are still crying over being defeated. The dragons' hot tears are the source of the hot springs in the Elwha and Sol Duc Valleys.

Although you'll be swimming in sad Dragon tears, at least they're warm...

This hot spring includes 21 seeps and the temperature sits right around 138°F.

Short Hike: From the Olympic Hot Springs Road, take the Olympic Hot Springs Trail for 2.6 miles.

Gem Type: Hot Spring

Shared by:
Tom Robson

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Shared by Tom Robson on Mar 30, 2016. All Page Views: 3,652. Last Month: 2.

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