Quinault River

Quinault River
River
Country United States
State Washington
Source Olympic Mountains
 - coordinates  [1]
Mouth Pacific Ocean
 - location Taholah
 - coordinates  [1]
Length 69 mi (111 km) [2]
Basin 188 sq mi (487 km2) [3]
Mouth of the Quinault River in Washington

The Quinault River is a 69-mile (111 km) long[2] river located on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington. It originates deep in the Olympic Mountains in the Olympic National Park. It flows southwest through the "Enchanted Valley". Several miles above Lake Quinault the river is joined by its main tributary, the North Fork Quinault River. The main stem Quinault River above this confluence is sometimes called the East Fork Quinault River. Below the confluence the river marks the boundary of Olympic National Park for several miles before emptying into Lake Quinault. After the lake, the Quinault River flows southwest, reaching the Pacific at Taholah. From Lake Quinault to the ocean, the river is contained within the Quinault Indian Reservation.

The Quinault River's drainage basin is 188 square miles (487 km2) in area.[3] Its main tributaries include the North Fork Quinault River, Graves Creek, Fox Creek, and Cook Creek.[2]

Contents

East Fork Recreation Opportunities

A well maintained trail follows the East Fork of the Quinault from Graves Creek to the Enchanted Valley Ranger Station through old growth rain forest.[4] In early summer snow melt creates many waterfalls in the valley, giving it the name "Valley of a Thousand Waterfalls".[5]

See also

References

External links