A handful of weeks ago one of my coworkers talked about a recent hike she had done, and it was a place I had never heard of. The photos she shared were beautiful, and I knew it was a trail I wanted to experience for myself. What I didn’t know was the backstory of this trail, and how I would find myself in some type of post apocalyptic looking landscape that fueled my spirit for adventure in more ways than one.
Get ready for a brief history lesson. Just a few paragraphs, bear with me.
The Glines Canyon Overlook provides a modern view of what used to be one of two dams providing energy for the Olympic Power Company – which in turn helped to provide energy for a pulp mill based out of Port Angeles, Washington. The dam was supplied by The Elwha River, which happened to be home to some of the richest runs of salmon outside of Alaska. This second dam was finished in 1927, and business was booming, but without a fish passage within the walls of the dam the salmon were left with just five miles of accessible habitat from the mouth of the river.
That doesn’t leave much room for baby making spawning grounds.
It took decades to make any kind of change, but by 1980 the salmon population was threatened all across the PNW, and by 1992 the issue was settled by passing The Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act. This allowed full control over both the Glines Canyon Dam and The Elwha Dam (the other of the two) to be granted to the US Department of Interior. They could then enact the necessary actions for restoration of The Elwha River fisheries.
The Elwha Dam was removed in 2011, and the Glines Canyon Dam in 2014. The previous lake like body of water held back by the dam is now a rushing river through an old concrete slab. The dam’s have been removed, but the restoration process is still ongoing. The National Park Service is continually working with a local tribe and other partners to ensure The Elwha River is fully restored. OK, history lesson over…
SO. What does all this dam salmon talk have to do with my hike? What was once a fully functioning and drivable road to view the overlook of the old Glines Canyon Dam – is now a skeleton of its former self. In 2015 a section of this road was washed out due to a storm, and while restoration attempts were made, this section of the road is completely inaccessible by car to this day.
If you want to see the overlook, you are going to have to walk (or bike.)
While I knew we would be walking on a road to get to the overlook, I had no idea it was because the road had been washed out. The hike starts at the Madison Falls parking area, and a short, moderately steep bypass trail took us around the washed out section. This is the only area of the hike within the woods adjacent to the road, but I enjoyed walking on the old road significantly more. Strictly for the abandoned buildings and overgrown brush.
Hence the apocalyptic vibes.
We spent some time wandering around the old abandoned camp ground and NPS buildings before continuing on towards the overlook. This felt like a minor step back in time, and while the washout and the dam deconstruction were relatively recent, this was a unique walk through some historical spaces. The river was beautiful shades of blue and green and the road went on for miles.
The road continues on past the overlook, most notably to the Olympic Hot Springs, but my old lady body was having terrible back pain on this hike, so we called it at the overlook.
Once we made it to the overlook we pulled out our camp chairs to sit and savor the view. There are still multiple interactive signs to read up there, as well as an old speaker box that plays the remnants of a womans voice giving historical information. The audio is chopped, and seems to repeat the same words, adding to the slightly creepy yet fascinating vibe.
This is an adventure that will stick with me for a while. The hike which could technically be more of a walk only covers around 800 feet of elevation and we walked 8 miles total, but the background and unexpected ghost town we were able to discover made this one of the most unique experiences I have had in a while. Either I need to get out more, or this was truly one for the books.
Next time, I want to bring my bike. I can only imagine what other discoveries I can uncover with two wheels. Getting it through the bypass trail will be my only hurdle. A challenge I will happily accept.
I am thankful spring has sprung, and I am hopeful with the warmer days I can embark on more of these new to me adventures in my home state. I wonder if and when the washed out road will be fixed, or if The Elwha Ranger Station will be used again in the future. I’m stoked I was able to see it in its current state, anything inaccessible by car is all the more worth seeing when you arrive.
Q: What’s your most recent unique adventure?
Blissfulbritt 
35 thoughts on “Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook”
lksajflasjf
Haha
dam salmon talk
I see whatcha did there!
Brittany
Bahahaha. Thank you for catching that.
explorerron
It’s a cool spot. If you continue up the trail you’ll get to the old Olympic Hot Springs Campground. You can soak in the pools. It’s far enough that your want to I overnight it. It’s possible to walk your bikes thru the washout portion and bike to the campground too.
Brittany
That’s what I’d like to do next time I go! The pools are so intriguing. I’d definitely bike there when I go.
Rootchopper
I love it when I stumble across hidden gems like this. In Shenandoah National Park there are still some remnants from the people who lived there when the park was created 90 or so years ago. Old graveyards are especially interesting. Good on you for checking this out.
Brittany
I tend to do too much research going into things, mostly to prevent additional anxiety. This usually leaves little to no surprise, so it was nice to have no idea about this trails discoveries.
I LOVE a good graveyard. The older the better, and I will now add Shenandoah findings to my list.
Rootchopper
My anxiety has vetoed a bunch of tour routings that I regret. For instance, last year I regretted not riding across Nebraska (of all things!). Where would I stay? What would happen if something went wrong? AY! (Every town has a public park where I could camp and they all have swimming pools. Derp!)
Brittany
I am the queen of letting anxiety dictate my moves. I am black or white – I am either impulsive as hell and make questionable choices trying to quiet the fear, or I am scared out of my mind over something irrational. Perhaps one day I will find the middle ground. It’s been a while since I have been impulsive though. LOL.
I hope you get to ride your bike through Nebraska on one of these tours.
MaryBeth
how fun! If I were location scouting for a post apocalyptic movie and show I would definitely film here. Also-crazy about the woman’s voice still reading out info. That definitely adds some creepy vibes. I can’t remember my last adventure, but next time you come to Germany I know we’ll be abounding in adventures together 😉
Brittany
I think one day you will need to location scout for movies as a big movie creator woman. Keep this place tucked in your back pocket. Can I be a zombie in your film? I will work for brathendl und kartoffeln every night.
Honestly I am daydreaming about coming to visit for like two weeks, with minimal plans and we can take small weekend trips when you aren’t working (so you don’t have to use vacation days.) Similar to Appenzell and Dolomites…ehhh? ehHHHhh?
AuntGem
Wonderful photos! Loved reading about this adventure.
Brittany
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
B
Wow, those photos are awesome! Love the eerie vibes from this hike.
Brittany
Me too. It was soooo cool. I can’t wait to go back.
Roy McCarthy
Pretty intriguing, nature mixing with modern industrial archaeology and all easily accessible. Nicely recounted.
Brittany
Thank you. This was certainly a place I hope to revisit!
Gone Bananas
What a fab adventure! I love the picture of the old gas pump. I have to say it was nice to read all the comments too and realize I’m not the only person who gets travel anxiety! x
Brittany
You are most definitely not the only one. It has gotten worse for me with age, despite the fact I have done a lot of travel!
gpavants
Brittany,
Sounds fun and historical. A buddy of mine did a section of the PCT out in the desert between the San Jacinto and Big Bear mountains. Fun stuff. Thanks,
Brittany
I have only been on some of the Washington sections of the PCT, what a wondrous trail.
gpavants
Bet that was cool.
beyondfear101
Wow an amazing blog! I love all of your photos 😍 and am feeling quite envious of your adventures! I get anxious of travelling too.. the ‘what ifs’ start circling and are always the worst case scenarios! I feel an adventure is just the ticket to prove to ourselves that we can do it and there are some amazing experiences to be had!
Brittany
Thank you, and thank you for your comment! The what if brain is sooo real. I have a trip coming up in two weeks, and my poor boyfriend has had to listen to my “covering of all my bases” thoughts. At the end of the day everything always works out!
Belladonna
Loved all your pictures!
Brittany
Thank you!
Susan
What a great adventure! I love hiking in nature. I sure wish we had waterfalls in Florida. We have a couple, but I believe they are man-made.
Brittany
I haven’t explored much of Florida. I would love to see some of the natural parks you guys have.
Amanda Decker
This looks like an incredible place! I would love to hike in the PNW. Being from Maryland, I haven’t made it out there yet.
Brittany
I haven’t been to Maryland, but I would love to see some of the nature over there. I cannot recommend the PNW enough for a visit.
Pree
What a fun and interesting hike adventure! Haha Duncan’s supermodel pic lol the leg extension 🤣
Brittany
He is such a ham. I don’t even have to prompt him for that stuff. LOL
EricMWalk
Very cool location and a history lesson to boot! I will have to put this on my list of places to check out sometime.
Brittany
I had a lot of fun learning more about this place. I hope you can visit!
Nicole Smith
Awesome and creepy hiking adventure!
Brittany
It was definitely creepy, in the best way possible!