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No doubt, we in the Pacific Northwest have been challenged to see the sun through the clouds this spring and early summer. But perpetual rain also means our local waterfalls will runneth over well into summer until the current’s baritone rush will be replaced with the high-pitched trickle of a crystal mobile stirred by a gentle August breeze. For now, the rush ensues down cascades throughout the western slope, but nowhere with quite the urgency of the Olympic Peninsula, home of course to the Hoh Rainforest and its 150-inches of annual rainfall.

Unlike the Columbia River Gorge, where some of the tallest cataracts on the continent spill over within easy view from the parking lot, visiting OP tumblers once required a good set of hiking shoes and some inside knowledge. That is until last year’s publication of the “Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail.” The Trail leads waterfall-philes of every fitness level to view two-dozen flowing streams of their dreams. Divided into five regional groups, the map and descriptions prove as invaluable to the waterfall hunter as a treasure map to a buccaneer, considering most of the listed waterfalls contain no signage. Bluebeard would have been so lucky to live in the time of the Internet however, as the online “Magical Misty Tour” contains scrollover descriptions, as well as a key identifying wheelchair access, backpack only, even those that can be approached exclusively by vessel, where visitors can join Max and embark upon their very own “Where the Wild Things Are” journey.

The falls themselves appear as diverse as the access, spanning from the narrow and faint Hi Hi Kwitht falls, which spills off Cape Flattery (you guessed it, accessible only by boat) to Marymere Falls, a 90-foot year round rush of water that joins Sol Duc Falls among the most popular on the northern peninsula. Madison Creek, at the north entrance to Olympic National Park tumbles conveniently for any visitor, as the short walk is completely paved.

Backpackers who venture onto the wilderness trails of the park would be hard pressed to miss scores of waterfalls upon most hikes this summer. Falls Creek Falls is one waterfall worth its own sojourn, a 40-foot drop over a gorgeous, broad rock face—located nine miles south of Third Beach near La Push. Please note, “Twilight” fans suggest it’s best to avoid full moon hikes to the falls during summer.

Speaking of fantasy, Eldorado awaits the waterfall fan east of Quinault, where we encounter a series of sublime, low elevation staircases, beginning along the Rainforest Nature Trail, a mellow, interpretive walk where the gurgling streams provide near constant acoustic accompaniment. Gatton Creek, Merriman and Bunch Creek Falls round out the peninsula’s finest auto tour of cascades, but the hardcore fan climbs out of the car and hikes 13-miles into the Enchanted Valley, rumored home of 10,000 waterfalls, the most found on the continent.

The Waterfall Trail is an equal opportunity guide, as those traveling the eastside of the Olympic Range won’t go waterfall wanting, because Vincent Creek, Hamma Hamma and (seasonal) Falls View Falls provide plenty of (easily accessed) reasons to get misty. So don’t cry beneath this rain shadow, just paddle your way over to the Olympic Peninsula and celebrate the Northwestern downpour in all of its glory. —Crai S. Bower