Goblins Gate

Elwha River Valley

Directions: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west to milepost 240, just before the Elwha River Bridge. Then turn left onto Olympic Hot Springs Road (signed “Elwha Valley”) and continue 4.0 miles turning left (just beyond Elwha Ranger Station) onto dirt Whiskey Bend Road. Then continue 4.5 miles to trailhead.

Note: Road is currently closed beyond Madison Creek Falls Trailhead due to washouts. Hiking and biking road to trailhead is permissible. Check with ranger station for updates. 

Ownership: Olympic National Park
Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: moderate
National Park or Interagency Pass required
Kid-friendly, dogs prohibited

Hike to a rocky gorge where the Elwha River thrashes over a series of rapids. The approach to the Goblins Gate is via the historic Press Expedition Route. In 1889-90 James H. Christie funded by the Seattle Press newspaper, led a group of five men, a couple of dogs, and a pack of mules on an exploratory journey across the Olympic Mountains. It was the first successful European-American crossing of the Olympic Mountains. Christie and company named many landmarks along the way including the Goblins Gate for its ghoulish looking rocks guarding this chasm.

Follow the well-trodden Elwha River Trail gently climbing thorough mature forest followed by younger trees—the result of a series of early twentieth-century fires. Pass the Elk Overlook granting a good view of the Elwha 500 feet below. Then at just past a mile head right on the Rica Canyon Trail and descend to the river bottom. Next follow a short spur to Goblins Gate and admire the rocky narrow chasm funneling the Elwha’s swiftly moving waters.